Macomb County Public Records /Macomb County Criminal Records

Macomb County Criminal Records

What Is Macomb County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Macomb County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231, which establishes the framework for public records maintenance and access throughout the state.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of detentions by law enforcement that may not result in formal charges
Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas
Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more
Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
Adult Records: Generally accessible to the public unless sealed or expunged
Juvenile Records: Typically sealed and not available for public inspection except under specific court orders
Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest
Historical Records: Documentation of past interactions with the justice system

Multiple agencies maintain these records within Macomb County's criminal justice system:

Macomb County Sheriff's Office
43565 Elizabeth Road
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
(586) 469-5151
Macomb County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.

Macomb County Circuit Court
40 North Main Street
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
(586) 469-5150
Macomb County Circuit Court

The Circuit Court maintains felony case records, including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, sentencing information, and probation/parole records.

Michigan State Police
7150 Harris Drive
Dimondale, MI 48821
(517) 332-2521
Michigan State Police

The State Police maintain the central repository for criminal history information throughout Michigan, including Macomb County.

Criminal records typically include documentation of the entire criminal justice process from arrest through final disposition, including charges filed, arraignment proceedings, plea information, trial records, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. These records are maintained according to Michigan Court Rule 8.119, which governs court records management.

Are Criminal Records Public In Macomb County

Criminal records in Macomb County are generally considered public information under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231 et seq.. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

Section 15.233(1) of the Michigan FOIA states: "Upon providing a public body's FOIA coordinator with a written request that describes a public record sufficiently to enable the public body to find the public record, a person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of the requested public record of the public body."

However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. The following categories have restricted access:

Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure under MCL § 15.243(1)(b)
Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order, including those expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate legislation
Juvenile Records: Generally confidential under MCL § 712A.28, except under specific circumstances
Certain Personal Information: Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information

Adult conviction records are typically public and accessible through various county offices and online portals. Court proceedings in Macomb County are generally open to the public in accordance with the constitutional right to public trials, though certain sensitive proceedings may be closed at the discretion of the presiding judge.

The Macomb County Clerk's Office serves as the official keeper of many public records, including court records that contain criminal case information. Members of the public seeking access to criminal records should be aware that while the records may be public, certain procedural requirements and fees may apply to obtain copies.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Macomb County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Macomb County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal record information:

In-Person Requests at the Clerk's Office:

Visit the Macomb County Clerk's Office during regular business hours.
Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $10-$25 for searches and $1-$2 per page for copies).
Allow processing time, which may range from same-day service to several business days depending on the complexity of the request.

Macomb County Circuit Court Records:

Visit the Circuit Court Records Division at 40 North Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.
Use the public access terminals to search for case information.
Request copies of specific documents from court clerks.
Pay applicable fees for certified or non-certified copies.

Sheriff's Office Records:

Submit a written request to the Macomb County Sheriff's Records Division.
Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and specific information sought.
Pay the established search fee (currently $15 for most record searches).
Allow 5-10 business days for processing.

Mail Requests:

Send a written request to the appropriate agency (Clerk's Office, Circuit Court, or Sheriff's Office).
Include a completed records request form, available on the Macomb County website.
Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees.
Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return documents.
Allow 2-3 weeks for processing and return mail.

All requests must comply with the provisions of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Certain records may require additional verification or court orders to access, particularly those involving sealed cases or juvenile matters. Requestors should note that pursuant to MCL § 15.235, agencies have 5 business days to respond to requests, with a possible 10-day extension.

How To Find Criminal Records in Macomb County Online?

Macomb County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer varying levels of information and may require registration or fees for complete access.

Macomb County Court Case Search:

Navigate to the Macomb County Courts Online Case Search.
Select the appropriate court (Circuit, District, or Probate).
Enter search criteria such as name, case number, or filing date.
Review the basic case information provided at no cost.
Note that while basic information is free, document images may require fees or in-person requests.

This system contains:

Case numbers and filing dates
Party names and attorney information
Charge information
Scheduled hearings
Case status and disposition information

Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS):

Access the Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS database.
Enter the individual's name or identification number.
Review information on current inmates and those released within the past three years.

OTIS provides:

Current incarceration status
Earliest release date
Offense information
Physical description
Supervision conditions for parolees

Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT):

Visit the Michigan State Police ICHAT website.
Create a user account and log in.
Pay the required fee ($10 per search currently).
Enter the subject's name and date of birth.
Receive instant results showing public criminal history information.

ICHAT contains:

Felony and serious misdemeanor convictions
Pending felony and serious misdemeanor charges
Disposition of cases
Sentencing information

Macomb County Jail Inmate Lookup:

Access the Macomb County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup.
Search by name or booking number.
View current inmates and their basic booking information.

This system provides:

Current incarceration status
Booking date
Charges
Bond information
Expected release date

Users should be aware that online systems may not contain complete criminal history information. Records that have been sealed, expunged, or are otherwise restricted will not appear in public online searches. Additionally, some older records may not be digitized and require in-person requests at the appropriate agency.

Can You Search Macomb County Criminal Records for Free?

Michigan law provides for public inspection of criminal records at no cost, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. According to MCL § 15.234(1), "A public body may charge a fee for a public record search, for the necessary copying of a public record for inspection, or for providing a copy of a public record."

Free inspection options include:

In-Person Inspection at Public Terminals:

Macomb County Clerk's Office
40 North Main Street, 1st Floor
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
(586) 469-5120
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Macomb County Circuit Court
40 North Main Street
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
(586) 469-5150
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

At these locations, members of the public may use public access terminals to search for case information at no cost. Printing or obtaining copies will incur fees, but viewing information on-screen is free.

Free Online Resources:

Macomb County Courts Online Case Search - Provides basic case information including party names, case types, filing dates, and scheduled hearings at no cost. Document images and detailed records may require fees.
Macomb County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup - Offers free access to current jail population information, including inmate names, booking dates, charges, and expected release dates.
Macomb County Public Data Records - Provides access to various public records databases maintained by the county, some of which may contain criminal record information.
Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) - Offers free searches for current inmates and those released from state prisons within the past three years.

While these free resources provide valuable information, they have limitations:

Historical records may not be available online
Detailed case documents typically require fees
Complete criminal history reports are not available for free
Some databases may not be updated in real-time

For comprehensive criminal background checks, users may need to utilize fee-based services such as the Michigan State Police ICHAT system or request certified records from the appropriate agencies. However, for basic case information and current incarceration status, the free resources provide substantial information to the public.

What's Included in a Macomb County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in Macomb County contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification (SID) number
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency
Booking number
Initial charges filed
Bail/bond amount and status
Detention facility location
Arresting officer information

Court Case Information:

Case number
Court of jurisdiction (Circuit or District)
Filing date
Formal charges and corresponding Michigan statute numbers
Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
Plea information
Attorney of record
Judge assigned to the case

Disposition Information:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and conditions

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Personal protection orders/restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/OWI offenses
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history summary

The comprehensiveness of records may vary depending on the source and age of the record. Recent records tend to contain more detailed information than older cases. Additionally, records maintained by different agencies may emphasize different aspects of the criminal case. For example, Sheriff's Office records focus on arrest and booking information, while court records emphasize case proceedings and dispositions.

All criminal records in Macomb County are maintained in accordance with Michigan Court Rule 8.119 and relevant state statutes governing records retention and public access.

How Long Does Macomb County Keep Criminal Records?

Macomb County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. These retention periods vary based on the type of record and the severity of the offense.

The primary retention periods for criminal records in Macomb County are as follows:

Felony Case Records:

Capital/Life Offenses: Permanent retention
Other Felonies: 30 years after case closure
Case Indices: Permanent retention

Misdemeanor Case Records:

Drunk Driving Offenses: 10 years after case closure
Domestic Violence: 10 years after case closure
Other Misdemeanors: 7 years after case closure

Arrest Records (Sheriff's Office):

Felony Arrests: 50 years from date of arrest
Misdemeanor Arrests: 7 years from date of arrest
Arrest Photographs: Same as corresponding arrest record

Jail Records:

Booking Information: 7 years after release
Inmate Medical Records: 7 years after release
Visitor Logs: 3 years

Probation Records:

Felony Probation: 10 years after discharge
Misdemeanor Probation: 5 years after discharge

These retention periods are established pursuant to Michigan Records Retention and Disposal Schedule #16, which governs local government records including court and law enforcement documents.

It is important to note that while records may be retained for the periods specified above, this does not necessarily mean they remain publicly accessible for the entire retention period. Records that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access, though they may be retained for administrative purposes.

Additionally, criminal history information maintained in the Michigan State Police database is generally retained permanently, even after local records may have been destroyed according to retention schedules. This ensures that a complete criminal history remains available for law enforcement purposes.

The Michigan Court Records Management Standards provide additional guidance on the maintenance and eventual disposition of court records, including those related to criminal cases in Macomb County.