Ann Arbor Arrest Records

Ann Arbor arrest records are held by the Ann Arbor Police Department and the 15th District Court, covering arrests made within city limits by local officers. You can search open case files, booking records, and criminal history through several official databases, this page explains where to look and how to request documents.

How to Search Ann Arbor Arrest Records

There is no single place that holds every Ann Arbor arrest record. Some records live with the police department. Others are filed with the 15th District Court or the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Still others appear in the state's criminal history database. The right place to start depends on what you need and how old the case is.

For recent bookings and active warrants, the Washtenaw County trial court's public access portal is your best bet. The site lets you search by name and pull up case numbers, charges, and court dates. For older or sealed records, you may need to file a FOIA request with the Ann Arbor Police Department or contact the 15th District Court directly.

The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the main statewide tool. It runs a background check against the state's criminal history index. The cost is $10 per search. Results show convictions and arrests across Michigan, not just Ann Arbor.

The Washtenaw County public access search is free. Go to tcweb.ewashtenaw.org/publicaccess/Search.aspx and enter a name. The system pulls civil and criminal case data filed through the county courts, which includes most Ann Arbor cases.

Ann Arbor Police Department

The Ann Arbor Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency inside city limits. Officers make arrests, write reports, and forward felony cases to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's office. Misdemeanor cases go to the 15th District Court.

The department's website at a2gov.org has information on services, reporting options, and contact forms. You can also walk in to the station at 100 N 5th Ave during business hours.

The screenshot below is from the Ann Arbor city website, which hosts the police department's main page. This is where you can find FOIA request forms, department contacts, and general guidance on accessing records.

If you need a copy of a police report or a list of your own arrest records, this is the right place to start. The department handles public records requests under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.

Police Records and the FOIA Process

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, found at MCL 15.231, gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. This includes arrest reports, incident reports, and other police documents created by the Ann Arbor Police Department.

To request records, submit a written FOIA request to the Ann Arbor Police Department. You can do this in person, by mail, or through the city's online request portal at a2gov.org. Be specific. Include the full name of the person involved, the date of the arrest, and any case number you have. Vague requests take longer and often come back incomplete.

The department has five business days to respond. They can grant the request, deny it, or ask for an extension. Fees apply for copies. Large requests sometimes cost more than small ones, so ask about the fee estimate before committing to a full request.

Some records are exempt. Active investigations, juvenile records, and documents that could endanger someone are typically withheld. If you believe a denial was wrong, you can appeal to the City of Ann Arbor or take it to circuit court.

Inmate Search and Jail Information

People arrested in Ann Arbor are held at the Washtenaw County Jail. The jail is located at 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. The general jail line is 734-971-8400.

To find out if someone is currently in custody, you can call the jail directly. There is also a public access portal through the Washtenaw County trial court system at tcweb.ewashtenaw.org/publicaccess/Search.aspx. Search by name and look for case status updates that reflect jail bookings and releases.

Bond amounts are set at arraignment, which usually happens within 24 hours of arrest. The 15th District Court handles arraignments for misdemeanor cases. Felony arraignments go to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

After release, a jail record may still show up in public case search tools. Booking records are not automatically expunged when someone is released or when charges are dropped. You need to go through the expungement process if you want those records cleared.

15th District Court and Criminal Cases

The 15th District Court is located at 301 E. Huron in Ann Arbor, inside the Justice Center. The court's main phone number is (734) 222-6600. This court handles all misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations that arise within Ann Arbor city limits.

Court records are public in most cases. You can search them online at the Washtenaw County public access portal. The site shows case numbers, charges, court dates, and dispositions. It's one of the most useful free tools for researching Ann Arbor arrest records.

Felony cases that start in the 15th District Court are bound over to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court for trial. If you are looking for a felony case, check the circuit court records through the same public access portal or through the statewide Michigan Court Case Search at courts.michigan.gov/case-search/.

The statewide search covers courts across Michigan. It is a good backup if you are not sure which county the case ended up in.

The screenshot below shows the Michigan Court Case Search portal, which covers cases statewide including those originating in Ann Arbor.

Use this tool when the county portal doesn't have what you need or when you want to see if someone has cases in other Michigan courts.

ICHAT Criminal History Search

The Michigan State Police runs ICHAT, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool. It is available at apps.michigan.gov. The fee is $10 per search. Results show convictions and some non-conviction data from across Michigan, including Ann Arbor cases.

ICHAT is built on MCL 28.241, which governs the state's criminal history record system. The database is maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. Data in ICHAT comes from courts, law enforcement agencies, and corrections facilities statewide.

ICHAT results are not the same as a certified background check. For official purposes, like professional licensing or court filings, you may need a certified copy directly from the court or from the state police. ICHAT is best for general reference.

The search is not instant. Some names take a few minutes to process. If the name is common, you may get multiple results. Review each one carefully to confirm identity before drawing conclusions.

Clean Slate and Record Expungement

Michigan's Clean Slate law, found at MCL 780.621g, expanded who can get a criminal record expunged and created an automatic expungement process for some offenses. If enough time has passed and the offense qualifies, a record may be set aside either automatically or through a petition.

Automatic expungement applies to certain misdemeanors and lower-level felonies after a waiting period. Not all offenses qualify. Crimes that involve serious violence, sex offenses, and traffic violations causing injury generally do not qualify.

If you want to petition for expungement, you file a motion with the court that handled the original case. For Ann Arbor cases, that would typically be the 15th District Court for misdemeanors or the Washtenaw County Circuit Court for felonies.

Once a record is expunged in Michigan, it is removed from public databases including ICHAT. However, law enforcement agencies can still access sealed records in certain circumstances. Legal aid organizations in Washtenaw County can help you figure out if you qualify and walk you through the process.

The Michigan Legislature has more information on the Clean Slate statutes at legislature.mi.gov. You can search the full text of MCL 780.621g there.

Sex Offender Registry

Michigan's Public Sex Offender Registry (PSOR) is maintained under MCL 28.721. The registry is public and can be searched at mspsor.com. You can search by name or by location to see registered offenders in Ann Arbor or anywhere in the state.

Registration is required for a range of sex offenses. Registrants must update their address, employment, and other information regularly. Failure to comply is a separate criminal offense.

Additional Resources

The Washtenaw County Sheriff and Prosecutor's office handle cases that cross city lines or involve felony charges. You can reach Washtenaw County through the main county website at washtenaw.org. County court records are searchable through the public access portal linked above.

For MSP FOIA requests related to state-level records, go to michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. This covers records held by the Michigan State Police rather than local agencies.