Oakland County MI Arrest Records

Thank you for visiting our page. We will do our best to help you find information on Oakland County Arrest Records. This guide provides details on how to search for and understand these public records using official county and state resources. We aim to give you clear steps and contact points.

If you wish to start searching right away, you can visit https://michiganofficialrecords.com/oakland-county-arrest-records/ to access a tool for looking up Oakland County Arrest Records. This resource allows you to begin your search promptly by entering relevant names or details. It serves as a direct path if you need immediate access to available public record information within the county. Using this can save time if you are ready to search now.

Finding Oakland County Arrest Records

There are several official ways to find arrest records in Oakland County. You can check with the Sheriff's Office. You can look at court files. You can use state police tools. You can also file a formal request. Each way gives you different parts of the record.

Oakland County Sheriff's Office

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) is a key source for recent arrest and jail information. They run the county jail. They also keep reports on incidents police handle. You can look up who is in jail right now. You can ask for copies of police reports. They offer local background checks too. This office is often the first stop for arrest details.

The OCSO provides an online Inmate Locator tool. This tool is part of the Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information System (CLEMIS). You can find it at https://apps.clemis.org/ClemisInmLoc/ExtMain/ExtAllCurrInmates/. This tool shows current inmates held in the Oakland County Jail. The information usually includes the inmate's name and mugshot. It lists booking details like date of arrest. It shows the charges they face. It tells you where they are held in the jail. This lets the public see who is in custody at any time. It is a free service. It helps families, lawyers, and others find people who may have been arrested and booked into the county jail system recently. The data is updated often but always check details like bond or court dates with the court itself.

The OCSO Records Unit handles many types of documents. Their main job is keeping incident reports and traffic crash reports. They also manage inmate jail files. Gun registrations are processed here. They handle Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made to the Sheriff's Office. These records help the public, other police forces, and the courts. The Records Unit office is located at 1201 N. Telegraph Rd, Pontiac, MI 48341. This is on the East side of the Main Jail building. You can call them at 248-858-5011. Their email is ocsorecords@oakgov.com. They are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. They close for most legal holidays. It is best to arrive at least 30 minutes before they close. This gives them time to help you fully. This unit is vital for accessing official OCSO paperwork beyond just the inmate lookup. They provide a direct contact point for specific record needs.

You can get copies of police reports from the Records Unit. For an incident report or an accident report, first call 248-858-5011. Ask if the report is ready. Reports usually take 4 to 5 work days after the event. If it is ready, go to their office during business hours. You must bring a photo ID. Each report costs $7. Pay with cash only. You cannot get these reports by fax. You can buy copies of accident reports online through CLEMIS. But incident reports must be picked up in person or requested via FOIA. Proof of incarceration letters are free. Go to the office with your photo ID. Tell them the dates you need proof for. For local background checks, visit the office with your ID. This check costs $5 cash. It only shows arrests by OCSO or time spent in the Oakland County Jail. For a full state check, contact the Michigan State Police.

The Sheriff's Office offers fingerprinting services. This is often needed for jobs or licenses. Bring your photo ID. The cost is $15 cash for each print card. Some jobs need prints for state or federal laws. In these cases, the fee can be up to $69. Walk-in fingerprinting is done first-come, first-served. But they cannot serve walk-ins after 4:30 PM. Court-ordered fingerprints need an appointment. Call 248-858-0172 to set that up. For questions, call the main Records Unit line at 248-858-5011. You can find a list of approved Live Scan vendors on the Michigan State Police website.

Oakland County Courts

Courts handle cases after an arrest. Court records show charges filed, court dates, and case outcomes. Oakland County has Circuit Courts and District Courts. Each handles different types of cases. You can search records online or at the courthouse.

• Circuit Court: Handles serious criminal cases (felonies). Also handles big civil lawsuits and family matters like divorce.

• District Court: Handles less serious criminal cases (misdemeanors). Also handles traffic tickets and small claims lawsuits.

Oakland County provides Court Explorer. This is a web tool for public access. Find it at https://courtexplorer.oakgov.com/OaklandCounty. It lets you search Oakland County Circuit Court case information. You can search by a person's first and last name. You can search by a business name. You can also search by case number if you know it. This portal covers civil cases, domestic cases (like divorce), felony criminal cases, and business court cases. It does not cost money to search. But getting copies of documents might have fees. This tool is managed by the County Clerk's Legal Records Division. It is a key way to track cases moving through the higher court level in the county. Probate court cases can also be viewed, but often require a case number.

The County Clerk's Legal Records Division keeps all the files for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court. This includes civil, domestic, and felony criminal cases. Their office is at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Department 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. Their phone number is 248-858-0582. You can email them at clerklegal@oakgov.com. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can visit their office to look at Circuit Court records. Viewing records in person is free. If you need copies, there are costs. Plain copies are $1 per page. Certified copies (with an official seal) are $10 per page. You can pay with cash or a card. Most new filings for Circuit Court must be done online using MiFILE. This includes civil, domestic, and criminal cases. Some case types are excluded from eFiling. Check their website or call for details if you need to file a case.

You can find District Court records using the state's MiCourt tool. Go to the MiCourt search portal at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. Select Oakland County. Then choose the specific District Court if you know it. You can search by name or case number. You can filter results by case type or filing date. MiCourt covers many District Court cases. This includes misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small civil disputes. Some District Courts might also have their own websites. They might have public computer terminals at the courthouse. You can use these to search their specific records. Always check the local District Court's site or call them for the best way to find their records. Probate Court records, dealing with wills and estates, are often searchable by case number on MiCourt at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/court/P63.

Michigan State Police (MSP) - ICHAT

The Michigan State Police (MSP) manage a statewide criminal history database. You can search this database online. This is useful for finding records outside of just Oakland County.

The Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) lets you search public criminal records. These records come from all 83 counties in Michigan. The link is https://apps.michigan.gov/. ICHAT includes felony convictions. It also includes serious misdemeanors punishable by more than 93 days in jail. Law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts must report these to the state. You need a person's full name and date of birth to search. A search costs $10. You pay online when you make the request. This tool is the only official public way to do a name-based statewide check in Michigan.

ICHAT has limits. It does not show everything. Records that have been suppressed or sealed (like expunged records) are not included. Active warrants are not shown. It only has Michigan records. It does not include federal crimes, tribal court records, or crimes from other states. If you need records from another state, you must contact that state directly. The results you get are viewable online for seven days after you pay. You should print or save them right away. The site does not mail results. Make sure the name and date of birth you enter are correct before paying.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests

If you cannot find the records you need online or through normal channels, you can file a FOIA request. Michigan's FOIA law gives the public the right to ask for government records.

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), found at MCL § 15.231, allows people to request public records. This includes many arrest records. Most government agencies must respond to FOIA requests. You usually need to describe the specific records you want. The agency has 5 business days to respond. They can grant the request, deny it, or ask for more time (up to 10 more business days). Anyone can file a FOIA request, except people currently in prison. Agencies can charge fees for searching, copying, and mailing records. If the cost is over $50, they might ask for a deposit. You can find more details on the law at the National Freedom of Information Coalition website: https://www.nfoic.org/michigan-foia-laws/.

Oakland County has an online FOIA Request Center. Use this portal to submit requests for records held by most county departments. The link is https://www.oakgov.com/government/foia. This portal does not handle requests for court records or records from the Prosecutor's Office. For court records, contact the courts directly. For Prosecutor records, contact their office's FOIA coordinator at ocpofoia@oakgov.com. If you cannot use the online portal, you can email the county's Corporation Counsel at corpcounsel@oakgov.com. For records from the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), contact their FOIA Coordinator. Send requests by mail (31001 Lahser Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025, Attn: FOIA Coordinator), fax (248-645-1349), or email (smiller@rcoc.org). Always describe the record you need clearly.

Not all records are public. FOIA law has exemptions (MCL § 15.243). Agencies can withhold or redact certain information. Examples include information that invades personal privacy. Trade secrets are exempt. Certain law enforcement investigation details might be exempt. Attorney-client communications are private. If an agency denies your request, they must state the legal reason why. You have the right to appeal a denial. The specific exemptions protect sensitive data while keeping government open.

Understanding Oakland County Arrest Records

Arrest records contain key details about a person's interaction with law enforcement. Knowing what's in these records helps you understand their scope. It is also important to know who can see them.

What Information is Included?

Arrest records typically document the details surrounding an arrest event. They usually contain the person's full name and any known aliases. Their date of birth is listed. A physical description, like height, weight, hair, and eye color, is common. The record states the date and time of the arrest. It notes the location where the arrest occurred. The name of the police agency that made the arrest is included. The specific charges, meaning the alleged crimes, are listed. If the person was booked into jail, the record may include a booking number (or inmate number) and a mugshot photo. Sometimes, initial court appearance dates or bond amounts might be noted, though court records are the official source for that ongoing case data.

Public Access and Limitations

In Michigan, most arrest records are considered public information under FOIA. This means the public generally has the right to access them. Anyone, like employers, landlords, or just curious people, can request these records from the holding agency (like the Sheriff or local police). They can also search online databases like ICHAT or court portals. However, access is not absolute. Michigan law (MCL § 15.243) lists exemptions. Information deemed private, like certain medical details, is protected. Records involving ongoing investigations might be withheld to protect the case. Most importantly, juvenile arrest records are usually confidential. Records that have been legally expunged or sealed are removed from public view. People currently serving a prison sentence cannot request records under FOIA. While much is public, these limits protect privacy and justice.

Expungement (Setting Aside Convictions)

Michigan law allows some people to have old convictions "set aside," also known as expungement. If a conviction is set aside, it is removed from public criminal history records. This means it will not show up on most background checks done by employers or landlords. The person can legally say they were not convicted of that crime on most applications. The process involves filing an application with the court that handled the original conviction. The applicant usually needs to get fingerprinted. They file copies with the court, prosecutor, and Attorney General. A judge holds a hearing to decide whether to grant the expungement. Michigan's "Clean Slate" laws have made more people eligible. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office provides an Expungement Guide on their Records Unit page: https://www.oakgov.com/government/sheriff/corrections/records-unit. State resources also explain eligibility and the process. Expungement offers a fresh start for qualified individuals.

Related Information and Resources

Beyond arrest records, other related information can be helpful. This includes details about the jail itself and resources for victims of crime.

Oakland County Jail Information

The main Oakland County Jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. It is run by the Sheriff's Office.

• Address: 1200 North Telegraph Road, Bldg 38E, Pontiac, MI 48341-1044.

• General Information Phone: 248-858-5000.

• Inmate Information Phone: 248-858-1800.

• Inmate Information Email: prisonerInfo@oakgov.com.

To send money to an inmate's trust account, use Smart Communications. Visit www.smartinmate.com or call 888-253-5178. You can also drop off cash or money orders at the Main Jail visitation area. Make sure the inmate's name and number are clear. Trust account money cannot be used for phone calls or tablet credits; those require separate deposits via Smart Communications. For mail, standard letters and photos go through Smart Communications' vendor: Oakland County Jail, [Inmate Name/Number], PO Box 9103, Seminole, FL 33775-9103. Do not send standard mail directly to the jail. Legal mail, bank statements, magazines, and newspapers can be sent directly to the jail: Oakland County Jail, [Inmate Name/Number], PO Box 436017, Pontiac, MI 48343. You can send electronic messages via www.smartinmate.com for a fee. Visitation rules and how to register for video visits are on the OCSO website under Corrections/Jail: https://www.oakgov.com/government/sheriff/corrections/oakland-county-jail/visitation. 

Victim Information

Crime victims have rights and resources available. MI-VINE (Michigan Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is a key service. It lets victims track the custody status of offenders in county jails or state prisons. They can register to get automatic phone or email alerts about changes in custody, like release or transfer. Find MI-VINE information through the state or OCSO website. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office also lists other victim resources on their site. These may include contact info for support groups, counseling services, and help navigating the justice system. Look for a "Victim Resources" link on the main OCSO page (https://www.oakgov.com/government/sheriff). These tools help ensure victims stay informed and supported.