Saginaw County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Saginaw County
Arrest records in Saginaw County are considered public information under Michigan law. Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231 et seq., most arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies are accessible to the public upon request. This statute establishes the public's right to inspect, copy, or receive public records maintained by government agencies, including those related to arrests.
It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. A conviction record, by contrast, indicates that the individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through the judicial process. Under Michigan law, both types of records are generally public, though certain exceptions apply.
The Michigan State Police maintains the state's criminal history record repository and provides guidelines on public access to criminal justice information. While most arrest information is public, certain details may be exempt from disclosure under MCL § 15.243, which outlines specific exemptions to the FOIA requirements, including:
- Information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Information that would deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
- Records protected by other statutes
Juvenile arrest records are generally not public in Michigan, as provided under the Michigan Juvenile Code, MCL § 712A.1 et seq.
What's in Saginaw County Arrest Records
Saginaw County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records generally include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
- Address at time of arrest
- Driver's license or state ID number
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Reason for arrest
- Use of force information (if applicable)
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute or ordinance citations
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
- Charge severity level
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking number
- Fingerprints
- Mugshot photograph
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond status (posted, denied, pending)
- Conditions of release
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Judge assigned
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
- Expected release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Probation/parole status
- Risk assessment scores
- Medical or mental health alerts
- Special custody requirements
The specific content of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the circumstances of the arrest. The Saginaw County Sheriff's Office maintains these records for arrests made by county deputies, while municipal police departments within the county maintain their own arrest records.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Saginaw County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Saginaw County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing arrest records:
-
Submit a FOIA Request to the Appropriate Agency
- Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest (Saginaw County Sheriff, Saginaw Police Department, etc.)
- Complete the agency's FOIA request form, which can typically be found on their official website
- Submit the request via mail, email, fax, or in person, as specified by the agency
- Include specific information about the record sought (name of arrestee, date of arrest, etc.)
- Pay any applicable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records
-
Visit the Records Division in Person
Saginaw County Sheriff's Office Records Bureau
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5456
Saginaw County Sheriff
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
- Check Court Records
- Arrest information may be available through court records if charges were filed
- Visit the appropriate court clerk's office or access online court records
- Provide the name of the individual and/or case number
Saginaw County Circuit Court
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5470
Saginaw County Courts
- Contact the Saginaw County Jail
- For current inmates, limited information may be available through the jail
- Call the jail's information line or check the online inmate lookup system
Saginaw County Jail
311 S. Harrison Street
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5460
Saginaw County Jail
When requesting arrest records, requestors should be prepared to provide identification and may need to state the purpose of their request. Pursuant to MCL § 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records, including a fee for search, examination, review, and deletion of exempt information.
How To Find Saginaw County Arrest Records Online
Saginaw County offers several digital resources for accessing arrest records electronically. The following online methods are available to the public:
-
Saginaw County Public Records Portal
- Visit the Saginaw County Public Records website
- Navigate to the "Court Case & Docket Information" section
- Search by name, case number, or other identifying information
- Review available case information, which may include arrest details if charges were filed
-
Michigan Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)
- Access the Michigan State Police ICHAT system
- Create a user account if you don't already have one
- Pay the required fee ($10 per search, currently)
- Enter the individual's name and date of birth
- Review the criminal history record, which includes arrest information
-
Saginaw County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup
- Visit the Saginaw County Jail website
- Access the inmate lookup feature
- Search by name to find current inmates
- View booking information, charges, and custody status
-
Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS)
- For individuals who have been sentenced to prison or are on parole/probation
- Visit the Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS website
- Search by name or offender number
- View conviction and sentencing information, which may include arrest details
-
Michigan Courts Case Search
- Access the Michigan Courts website
- Search for cases by name or case number
- Review case information, which may include arrest details if charges were filed
When using online systems to access arrest records, users should be aware that:
- Not all arrest records may be available online
- Some systems may require registration or payment
- Information may be limited compared to complete records available through direct agency requests
- Recent arrests may not appear immediately in online systems
- Some records may be restricted from online access due to privacy laws or ongoing investigations
How To Search Saginaw County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public have several options for accessing Saginaw County arrest records without incurring fees. The following methods are currently available for free searches:
- Visit the Saginaw County Sheriff's Office in Person
- Go to the Records Bureau during regular business hours
- Request to view public arrest records (viewing records in person is typically free)
- Take notes on the information needed
Saginaw County Sheriff's Office Records Bureau
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5456
Saginaw County Sheriff
-
Use the Saginaw County Jail Inmate Lookup
- Access the Saginaw County Jail website
- Use the free online inmate search function
- View basic information about currently incarcerated individuals
-
Check Public Court Records
- Visit the Saginaw County Courthouse
- Use public access terminals to search court cases
- View case information related to arrests that resulted in charges
Saginaw County Circuit Court
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5470
Saginaw County Courts
-
Review Public Notices and Police Blotters
- Check local newspaper websites and social media pages
- Review published arrest reports and police blotters
- Note that these sources may not include all arrests and information may be limited
-
Submit a Targeted FOIA Request
- Under Michigan's FOIA law, agencies may waive fees if the request is in the public interest
- Fees may also be reduced for indigent requestors who submit an affidavit stating they are receiving public assistance
- Submit a narrowly focused request to minimize potential fees
When searching for arrest records for free, requestors should be aware of certain limitations:
- Free access may be limited to viewing records rather than obtaining copies
- Some detailed information may only be available through paid searches
- Records for ongoing investigations may be exempt from disclosure
- Juvenile records are generally not publicly accessible
- Some records may require redaction of exempt information before release
How To Delete Arrest Records in Saginaw County
In Michigan, individuals may have options to limit public access to their arrest records through expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access). These processes are governed by Michigan's Set Aside Law, MCL § 780.621 et seq.
Expungement vs. Sealing:
- Expungement (set aside) legally removes the conviction from public records and allows the individual to legally state they have not been convicted of that crime
- Sealing restricts public access to records but does not completely remove them from all government databases
- In Michigan, the process is technically called "setting aside a conviction"
Eligibility for Expungement in Michigan: Under MCL § 780.621, individuals may be eligible to have arrest records expunged if:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction
- The conviction was set aside (expunged)
- The case was dismissed
- The individual was acquitted (found not guilty)
For convictions, Michigan's Clean Slate legislation, effective April 2023, provides for:
- Automatic expungement of eligible misdemeanors after 7 years
- Automatic expungement of eligible non-assaultive felonies after 10 years
- Application-based expungement for other eligible offenses
Steps to Request Expungement:
-
Determine Eligibility
- Review Michigan's expungement laws to confirm eligibility
- Obtain a certified copy of criminal history from the Michigan State Police
- Verify timing requirements have been met (waiting periods after completion of sentence)
-
Obtain Required Documents
- Request certified copies of court documents related to the conviction
- Obtain fingerprint cards from a law enforcement agency
- Complete the Application to Set Aside Conviction form (MC 227)
-
File the Application
- Submit the completed application to the court where the conviction occurred
- Pay the required filing fee (approximately $50)
- Serve copies on the Michigan Attorney General, local prosecutor, and Michigan State Police
Saginaw County Circuit Court
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5470
Saginaw County Courts
-
Attend the Hearing
- The court will schedule a hearing on the application
- Present your case for why the conviction should be set aside
- The judge will make a determination based on statutory criteria
-
Follow Up After Approval
- If approved, ensure the Michigan State Police updates their records
- Check private background check companies to verify the expungement is reflected
For arrests that did not result in charges or convictions, individuals may need to contact the arresting agency directly to request removal or correction of records. This process is separate from the court-based expungement process.
What Happens After Arrest in Saginaw County?
Following an arrest in Saginaw County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Michigan law. This process typically includes the following sequential steps:
-
Arrest and Booking
- The individual is taken into custody by law enforcement
- Transportation to the Saginaw County Jail or local police station
- Booking procedures: fingerprinting, photographing, personal information collection
- Property inventory and temporary storage
- Initial health screening
-
Detention or Release Decision
- Determination if the individual will be held in custody or released
- For minor offenses, release may occur with a citation or appearance ticket
- For more serious offenses, the individual remains in custody pending arraignment
-
Arraignment
- First court appearance, typically within 24-72 hours of arrest
- Formal reading of charges
- Advisement of constitutional rights
- Determination of legal representation (appointment of public defender if needed)
- Setting of bail/bond or release conditions
- Entry of initial plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
-
Pretrial Proceedings
- Preliminary examination (for felonies) to determine probable cause
- Pretrial conferences between prosecution and defense
- Filing and hearing of motions (e.g., motion to suppress evidence)
- Plea negotiations
- Discovery process (exchange of evidence)
-
Trial or Plea Resolution
- Most cases resolve through plea agreements
- If no plea agreement, case proceeds to trial (bench or jury)
- Presentation of evidence and testimony
- Verdict determination (guilty or not guilty)
-
Sentencing (if convicted)
- Pre-sentence investigation report preparation
- Sentencing hearing
- Imposition of sentence (may include incarceration, probation, fines, community service)
-
Post-Conviction
- Serving of imposed sentence
- Potential appeals process
- Probation or parole supervision if applicable
- Eventual discharge from the criminal justice system
Throughout this process, individuals have constitutional rights including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, the right to a fair and speedy trial, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Saginaw County criminal justice system operates under the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Saginaw County?
Arrest records in Saginaw County are maintained according to Michigan's record retention requirements as established by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and the Michigan Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) policies. The retention of these records is governed by Michigan Administrative Code R 28.5414 and related statutes.
Standard Retention Periods:
- Arrest Records with No Charges Filed: Generally retained for at least 5 years from the date of arrest
- Arrest Records with Charges Dismissed: Typically maintained for 7 years from the date of dismissal
- Misdemeanor Conviction Records: Usually kept for at least 7 years after completion of sentence
- Felony Conviction Records: Maintained for at least 10 years after completion of sentence, with many serious felonies kept permanently
- Sex Offender Registry Information: Maintained for the duration required by the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act, MCL § 28.721 et seq., which may be 15 years, 25 years, or lifetime depending on the offense
It is important to note that different agencies within Saginaw County may have varying retention schedules:
- The Saginaw County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records according to county and state retention schedules
- Municipal police departments within the county may follow their own approved retention schedules
- The Michigan State Police maintains a central repository of criminal history information with its own retention requirements
- Court records related to arrests and prosecutions follow judicial retention schedules
Digital records may be maintained longer than paper records due to storage capacity and the potential need for historical reference. Additionally, even when records are officially purged from active systems, they may remain in backup systems or archives for extended periods.
The retention of arrest records serves several important purposes:
- Preservation of evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Documentation for background checks and security clearances
- Statistical analysis and crime pattern recognition
- Accountability and transparency in law enforcement operations
Individuals seeking information about specific record retention periods should contact the Saginaw County Sheriff's Office Records Bureau or submit a Freedom of Information Act request to the appropriate agency.
How to Find Mugshots in Saginaw County
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots, also known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken by law enforcement agencies during the booking process following an arrest. These photographs typically include front-facing and profile (side) views of the arrested individual and are used for identification purposes within the criminal justice system. In Saginaw County, mugshots are created as part of the standard booking procedure at the Saginaw County Jail and other local detention facilities.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
Mugshots in Saginaw County are primarily maintained by:
- The Saginaw County Sheriff's Office Records Bureau
- Municipal police departments within the county
- The Michigan State Police central records system
- Jail management systems at detention facilities
Finding Mugshots
To locate mugshots in Saginaw County, individuals may:
- Submit a FOIA Request
- File a formal request under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act
- Direct the request to the law enforcement agency that made the arrest
- Specify the name of the individual and date of arrest
- Pay any applicable fees for search and reproduction
Saginaw County Sheriff's Office Records Bureau
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5456
Saginaw County Sheriff
- Check the Inmate Lookup System
- For current inmates, limited booking information may be available online
- Visit the Saginaw County Jail website
- Search by name to locate current inmate information
- Note that not all systems display mugshots publicly
Can Mugshots Be Found Online
While some mugshots may be available online, Saginaw County has implemented policies to limit the public display of booking photographs in accordance with privacy considerations and Michigan law. Currently:
- The official Saginaw County inmate lookup system may not display mugshots
- Third-party websites may publish mugshots obtained through public records requests
- News media outlets may publish mugshots for cases of public interest
- Michigan has enacted legislation (House Bill 6343) to restrict commercial websites from charging fees to remove mugshots
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
The most reliable method to obtain an official mugshot is through a formal records request:
- Contact the arresting agency's records division
- Complete the required FOIA request form
- Provide specific identifying information about the arrest
- Pay any applicable fees
- Receive the records through mail, email, or in-person pickup
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots in Saginaw County may be restricted under certain circumstances:
- Juvenile arrest photographs are generally not public records
- Ongoing investigation exemptions may apply
- Privacy exemptions may apply in certain sensitive cases
- Expunged or sealed records will not include publicly accessible mugshots
- Records related to victims of certain crimes may have restricted access
Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that the publication or distribution of these images may have significant impacts on the subjects' privacy, reputation, and future opportunities, even in cases where charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted.
Lookup Arrest Records in Saginaw County
Saginaw County Jail Inmate Information
Saginaw County Sheriff's Office Records
Saginaw County Public Records Portal
Michigan Criminal History Records Search