Wayne County Public Records / Wayne County Arrest Records

Wayne County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wayne County

Arrest records in Wayne County, Michigan, are generally considered public records under Michigan law. Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231 et seq., members of the public may request access to records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies. Arrest records document the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and do not constitute proof of guilt or a criminal conviction. An arrest record reflects that an individual was detained and processed by police, whereas a conviction record results from a court finding of guilt following trial or a guilty plea. Under current Michigan law, arrest records that did not result in conviction may be subject to expungement, limiting their public availability. The Michigan State Police maintains a Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN) that governs the dissemination of criminal history information statewide.

What's in Wayne County Arrest Records

Wayne County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and throughout the criminal justice process.

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Race and gender
Last known residential address

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Name and badge number of arresting officer
Arresting agency (e.g., Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Detroit Police Department)
Incident or case report number

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed
Michigan Penal Code statute citations
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or civil infraction)
Number of counts per charge

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date warrant was issued
Jurisdiction of originating warrant

Booking Information:

Booking number and date
Facility where individual was processed
Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (personal recognizance, cash, surety)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted, pending, forfeited)

Court Information:

Assigned court and docket number
Scheduled arraignment or hearing dates
Presiding judge or magistrate

Custody Status:

Current detention status (in custody, released, transferred)
Release date and conditions if applicable

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history references
Detainer or hold information from other jurisdictions
Probation or parole status at time of arrest

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Wayne County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Wayne County arrest records through several official channels. Requests should be submitted in writing pursuant to MCL § 15.233, which establishes the right of individuals to inspect and receive copies of public records.

Wayne County Sheriff's Office: Submit a written FOIA request to the Records Division. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or via the agency's online portal. A processing fee may apply for copies.
Detroit Police Department: For arrests made within the City of Detroit, records requests are handled through the Detroit Police Department's Records and Identification Section.
Michigan State Police: Statewide criminal history records, including arrest data, may be requested through the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.
Third-Party Criminal Background Services: State-authorized background check vendors may provide compiled arrest history data for employment or licensing purposes.

Wayne County Sheriff's Office 400 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 224-2222 Wayne County Sheriff's Office

Detroit Police Department – Records and Identification Section 1301 Third St, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 596-2200 Detroit Police Department

Michigan State Police – Criminal Justice Information Center 7150 Harris Dr, Dimondale, MI 48821 (517) 241-0606 Michigan State Police

Requestors must complete a FOIA request form identifying the subject of the record, the time period of interest, and the specific records sought. Agencies are required to respond within five business days of receiving a written request.

How To Find Wayne County Arrest Records Online

Several official and government-affiliated online platforms provide access to Wayne County arrest information.

Wayne County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup: The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search tool that allows members of the public to locate individuals currently held in Wayne County jail facilities. Users may search by name or booking number at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office inmate search portal.
Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS): The Michigan Department of Corrections operates OTIS, which provides public access to information on individuals currently or previously under the supervision of the state corrections system.
Michigan Courts Case Search: The Michigan One Court of Justice provides a public case search tool through which members of the public may search for criminal case filings, including those originating from Wayne County arrests.
Wayne County Circuit Court: Case records associated with felony arrests in Wayne County are maintained by the Circuit Court and may be searched through the court's public access terminals or online docket system.

Wayne County Circuit Court 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 224-5261 Wayne County Circuit Court

How To Search Wayne County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public may access certain Wayne County arrest records at no cost through the following methods.

Online Inmate Search Tools: The Wayne County Sheriff's Office provides a free online inmate locator for individuals currently in custody. No account or fee is required to use this service.
Michigan Courts Public Case Search: The Michigan One Court of Justice case search system is available at no charge and allows users to search criminal case records by name, case number, or date range.
In-Person Inspection at Court Clerk's Office: Pursuant to MCL § 15.235, members of the public have the right to inspect public records without charge. Visiting the Wayne County Clerk's office in person allows inspection of court records at no cost, though fees apply for printed copies.
Michigan OTIS: The Michigan Department of Corrections offender tracking system is freely accessible online and provides supervision history for state-level offenders.
Public Access Terminals: Wayne County courthouses provide public access computer terminals where individuals may search case records without charge during regular business hours.

Wayne County Clerk's Office 400 Monroe St, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 224-6262 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Wayne County Clerk's Office

How To Delete Arrest Records in Wayne County

Michigan law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure from public view) and sealing (restricting access to authorized parties only). Expungement under MCL § 780.621 results in the setting aside of a conviction or arrest record, effectively removing it from public criminal history databases. Sealing restricts access without fully erasing the record and is typically applied in juvenile proceedings.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Arrests that did not result in conviction are eligible for expungement, including dismissed charges and acquittals
Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions may be expunged after a mandatory waiting period under Michigan's Clean Slate Act
Serious violent offenses, certain sex offenses, and crimes involving minors are generally not eligible

Steps to Expunge an Arrest Record in Wayne County:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court documents from the Wayne County Clerk's Office
Confirm eligibility under MCL § 780.621 and related Clean Slate provisions
Complete the Application to Set Aside Conviction (form MC 227) available through the Michigan Courts
File the application with the Wayne County Circuit Court or the court of original jurisdiction
Serve copies on the Michigan Attorney General's Office and the arresting law enforcement agency
Attend the scheduled hearing before a circuit court judge
If granted, the court issues an order directing all agencies to update their records accordingly

The Michigan State Police and arresting agencies are notified of expungement orders and are required to restrict public access to the affected records.

What Happens After Arrest in Wayne County?

The criminal justice process in Wayne County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.

Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, the individual is transported to a Wayne County detention facility, where booking procedures are completed, including fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information.
Arraignment: Within 48 hours of arrest, the individual appears before a district court magistrate or judge for arraignment, at which time charges are formally read, and bond is set.
Preliminary Examination: For felony charges, a preliminary examination is held in district court to determine whether probable cause exists to bind the case over to the Wayne County Circuit Court.
Circuit Court Proceedings: Felony cases proceed to the Wayne County Circuit Court for pretrial conferences, motions, and trial or plea proceedings.
Sentencing: Upon conviction, sentencing is conducted by the circuit court judge in accordance with Michigan sentencing guidelines.
Appeals: Convicted individuals retain the right to appeal through the Michigan Court of Appeals and, subsequently, the Michigan Supreme Court.

Wayne County District Court – Third Circuit 1441 St Antoine St, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 965-8715 Wayne County District Court

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Wayne County?

Arrest record retention in Wayne County is governed by Michigan's records retention schedules and applicable state statutes. Under current law, law enforcement agencies and courts are required to maintain records for specified minimum periods, which vary by record type and case outcome.

Arrest Records Without Conviction: Records of arrests not resulting in conviction are generally retained for a minimum period established by the Michigan Records Management Services schedule, though they may be expunged upon court order.
Felony Conviction Records: Records associated with felony convictions are maintained permanently by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.
Misdemeanor Records: Misdemeanor arrest and conviction records are typically retained for a minimum of five years following case closure, subject to agency-specific schedules.
Juvenile Records: Juvenile arrest records are subject to separate retention rules and are generally sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood, unless the individual was tried as an adult.
Court Records: The Wayne County Circuit Court retains criminal case files in accordance with the Michigan Trial Court Records Management Standards issued by the State Court Administrative Office.

Different agencies within Wayne County — including the Sheriff's Office, Detroit Police Department, and the Circuit Court — maintain independent records systems with distinct retention obligations. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for ongoing legal proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.

How to Find Mugshots in Wayne County

What Mugshots Are Mugshots are official photographic images taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. They are part of the arrest record and serve as an identifying document within the criminal justice system.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots in Wayne County are maintained by the arresting agency — most commonly the Wayne County Sheriff's Office or the Detroit Police Department — as part of the booking record. The Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center also retains booking photographs as part of statewide criminal history files.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request mugshots through a formal FOIA request submitted to the arresting agency. Requests must identify the subject by full name and approximate date of arrest.

Can They Be Found Online At present, Wayne County does not operate a publicly accessible online mugshot database. Some third-party websites aggregate booking photographs from public records; however, the accuracy and currency of such sources are not guaranteed by any government agency.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official mugshot requests are processed through the Records Division of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office or the Detroit Police Department Records and Identification Section. A per-page or per-image fee may apply in accordance with the agency's FOIA fee schedule.

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Mugshots associated with expunged arrest records are no longer subject to public disclosure following the entry of an expungement order. Juvenile booking photographs are confidential under Michigan law and are not available to the general public.

Wayne County Sheriff's Office – Records Division 400 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 224-2222 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM Wayne County Sheriff's Office