Kent County MI Arrest Records

We thank you for visiting this page. Our goal is to give you clear and helpful facts. We will do our best to help you with your search for Kent County Arrest Records. We hope this guide points you the right way.

https://michiganofficialrecords.com/kent-county-arrest-records/ is a place to start your Kent County Arrest Records search now. If you need quick access, visit their site. They offer tools designed to help you find the specific arrest details you seek. This resource can make the process faster. Check it out if you want to begin searching right away for Kent County Arrest Records information.

What Are Kent County Arrest Records?

Kent County arrest records document when a person is taken into police custody. These files note the reason for the arrest. They list the charges filed against the person. The record includes the person's name and date of birth. It also shows the date and time of the arrest. The location of the arrest is part of the file. These records are official documents. Law enforcement agencies create and keep them. They are often part of the public record. But some limits may apply.

These records show the start of a criminal case. An arrest does not mean the person is guilty. It means police had cause to detain them. The details track the interaction with law enforcement. Later court actions are kept in separate court files. Arrest records are held by the police or sheriff. Court records are held by the court clerk. Both types of records can be sought by the public. Access follows state laws like FOIA.

Where to Find Kent County Arrest Records

Finding arrest records involves knowing which office holds them. The Sheriff's Office and local courts are key places. Each keeps certain types of records.

Kent County Sheriff's Office

The Kent County Sheriff's Office makes arrests in the county. They run the county jail. Their Records Division holds many important files. This includes arrest logs and incident reports. You can ask for records from them. The main office is at 701 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Their Records Unit phone is (616) 632-6200. Normal hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Note that on Wednesdays, they are open by appointment only from noon to 12:30 pm. It is wise to call first or check their site. You may need ID to ask for records in person. The Sheriff's Office website has useful tools. One tool is the Inmate Lookup. This lets you see who is now in jail. Find it on the Kent County Sheriff's page at https://www.kentcountymi.gov/894/Sheriff. The Records Division page is https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1343/Records. They handle crash reports and fingerprinting too.

Kent County Courts

Courts handle cases after an arrest. Court files show charges and case outcomes. These are related to arrest records. Kent County has several courts. The 17th Circuit Court handles serious cases like felonies. The Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps these files. The Clerk's office is in the Kent County Courthouse. The address is 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 2400, Grand Rapids MI 49503. They are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can call them at (616) 632-5480. Case information may be searched online via the 17th Circuit Court Name Search, found on the Kent County website court pages. This office holds divorce, major civil, and felony case files.

Kent County also has District Courts. These handle less serious crimes (misdemeanors). They also handle early stages of felony cases. Examples include the 61st (Grand Rapids), 62-A (Wyoming), 62-B (Kentwood), and 63rd (various areas) District Courts. Each court has its own clerk. Each clerk keeps records for that court. You need to contact the right court for its records. For example, the 62-B District Court is at 4740 Walma SE, Kentwood, MI 49512. Their phone is (616) 698-9310. Some district courts offer online record searches. Check the specific court's website or the main Kent County Courts page at https://www.kentcountymi.gov/Courts. The 63rd District Court offers an online case search. You can often search by name or case number.

Kent County Clerk / Register of Deeds

The Kent County Clerk also serves as the Register of Deeds. A key role is Clerk of the Circuit Court. This means they manage all Circuit Court files. Their office is a source for these court records. The main Clerk's office is at 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:45 pm. The phone number is (616) 632-7640. While they manage court files, arrest logs themselves usually start with the Sheriff. But court case files stemming from arrests are here. You can find more info at the Clerk's page: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1469/County-Clerk-Register-of-Deeds.

How to Access Kent County Arrest Records

There are different ways to get arrest records. You can search online. You can go in person. You can send requests by mail.

Online Search Options

• Kent County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup: Check current jail inmates. Find this on the Sheriff's section of the Kent County website (https://www.kentcountymi.gov/894/Sheriff). 

• Kent County Court Case Searches: Look for court cases linked to arrests.

  • 17th Circuit Court Name Search: For felony cases. Access via Kent County court pages.

  • 63rd District Court Case Search: For cases in its area. Link found on the 63rd District Court page.

  • Other District Courts: Some, like 62-B (https://www.kentwood.us/city_services/city_departments/court_(62-b_district)/record_search.php), may offer searches.

• Michigan State Police ICHAT: Statewide criminal history check by name. This needs a login. There may be a fee. Visit https://apps.michigan.gov/. 

Requesting Records In Person

You can visit offices to ask for records. Go to the Kent County Sheriff's Office Records Unit at 701 Ball Ave NE. Bring your photo ID. Check their hours first. You can also visit the Kent County Clerk's Office at the courthouse (180 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 2400) for Circuit Court files. For District Court records, go to the specific court location. Be ready to give case details if you have them.

Mail and FOIA Requests

You can mail a request for records. Write a clear letter asking for the records you need. Send it to the Sheriff's Office or the Court Clerk. Mention the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This law gives you the right to ask for public records. Some offices may have special forms for requests. Check their websites or call them. Provide as much detail as you can about the record you seek.

Understanding the Information and Limits

Arrest records usually show the person's name. They list date of birth and address. The charges filed are included. The date, time, and place of arrest are noted. The arresting agency is listed. Case numbers may be included if charges proceed. This data comes from police reports and booking information.

Be aware of limits. Some records are not public. Sealed or expunged records are restricted by law. Juvenile arrest records often have strong privacy rules. Records of arrests that did not lead to charges might be hard to find. Online court databases may not show very old cases. They might only go back seven years, for example. For older files, you need to contact the clerk directly. Also, online data is often for info only. It may not be the official court record. For legal use, you may need a certified copy from the clerk.

Related Public Records in Kent County

Searching for arrests may lead to other public records. These files provide more context.

• Warrants: Orders for arrest issued by a judge. Check with the Sheriff or Courts.

• Court Dockets: Official summary of court case events. Held by the Court Clerk.

• Court Case Files: Full documents filed in a court case. Held by the Court Clerk.

• Inmate Information: Details on people currently in jail. Use the Sheriff's Inmate Lookup.

• Incident Reports: Police reports about calls for service. Request from the Sheriff or local police (like GRPD Records: 616-456-4177).

• Criminal Conviction History: Official state record of convictions. Use Michigan State Police ICHAT.

• Sex Offender Registry: Public list of registered persons. Managed by Michigan State Police.

• Driving Records: Traffic violations and license status. Get from the Michigan Department of State.

Michigan Public Records Law

Access to Kent County arrest records falls under state law. The main law is the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). You can find the law in the Michigan Compiled Laws, starting at section 15.231. Read the full text here: http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-act-442-of-1976. This act gives people the right to ask for copies of public records. This includes arrest and court files held by government bodies.

FOIA states that public bodies must respond to requests. They have set time limits to reply. They can charge fees for search and copy costs. But, the law also lists exemptions. Some records can be kept private. This includes information that invades personal privacy. It also includes some law enforcement investigation files. Records sealed by a court order are exempt too. If a request is denied, the agency must explain why in writing. They must cite the part of FOIA that allows the denial.