Find Arrest Records in Dearborn

Dearborn arrest records are created by the Dearborn Police Department and processed through the 19th District Court and Wayne County, which handles felony cases and runs the county jail system. This page walks through each source where you can search Dearborn arrest data, request police reports under Michigan's FOIA law, and look up inmate information through county and state tools.

How to Search Dearborn Arrest Records

Dearborn arrest records are spread across several agencies. The Dearborn Police Department holds local incident reports and arrest files. The 19th District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases. Wayne County takes on all felony cases through the 3rd Circuit Court. The Wayne County Jail holds people in custody after booking.

For a free public search, start with the Michigan Court Case Search at courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. This tool covers district and circuit court records statewide. Search by name and filter to Wayne County to find Dearborn cases.

To look up someone currently in custody, use the Wayne County inmate inquiry system at inmateinquiry.waynecounty.com. This is a free public tool that shows active bookings at Wayne County facilities, which includes people arrested in Dearborn.

For a full criminal history check, the Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov runs a statewide search for $10. Results pull from conviction and arrest records across all of Michigan, not just Dearborn or Wayne County.

Dearborn Police Department

The Dearborn Police Department is the main law enforcement agency inside city limits. Officers make arrests, write reports, and hand felony cases to the Wayne County Prosecutor. Misdemeanor cases stay with the 19th District Court. The department is the best source for arrest reports and incident records related to Dearborn.

You can visit the department at the address above or contact them by phone during business hours. The city website has department contacts and information on how to request public records. Online options for FOIA submission may be available through the city's portal.

Police Records and the FOIA Process

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231) gives the public the right to request copies of government records. For Dearborn, this means you can request arrest reports, incident reports, and related documents from the Dearborn Police Department. This is the right path if you need a police report directly rather than court records.

Submit a written FOIA request to the Dearborn Police Department. Be specific. Include the full name of the subject, date of arrest, and any case number. The department has five business days to respond. They must either provide the records, deny with explanation, or request more time.

Fees apply. Departments can charge for the cost of copying and staff time needed to locate and compile records. Ask for a fee estimate before the request is processed so there are no surprises. Fees vary based on the volume of records.

Some documents are exempt from disclosure. Active investigation files, records that would reveal confidential informants, and certain juvenile records are typically withheld. If a request is denied, you have the right to appeal. Appeals go to the head of the agency first. After that, circuit court is the next option.

The Michigan State Police also has a FOIA portal for state-level records. That is at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. This covers MSP files, not Dearborn Police files. Use both if the case involved multiple agencies.

Knowing which agency holds the record you need saves time. Local police hold local arrest reports. The state police hold their own investigation files. Courts hold case records and judgments.

Inmate Search and Wayne County Jail

Dearborn arrestees are booked into the Wayne County Jail after processing by the Dearborn Police Department. Wayne County runs the jail system for the entire county, which includes Dearborn and dozens of other cities and townships.

The Wayne County inmate inquiry tool is free and available online. Go to inmateinquiry.waynecounty.com and search by name. The tool shows current booking status, charges, and in some cases bond information for people held in Wayne County facilities.

The screenshot below shows the Wayne County inmate inquiry portal. This is the most direct way to check on someone arrested in Dearborn.

Bond is set at arraignment, which typically happens within 24 hours of arrest. For Dearborn cases, misdemeanor arraignments take place at the 19th District Court. Felony arraignments also start there before moving to Wayne County Circuit Court.

If someone has been released, they will no longer show in the active inmate system. But the arrest record remains in the court system and in criminal history databases. Release does not erase the record.

19th District Court and Criminal Cases

The 19th District Court is located at 16077 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126. The court phone is 313-943-2060. This is the court that handles all misdemeanor criminal matters and civil infractions for the City of Dearborn.

Court records are public and can be searched through the Michigan Court Case Search. That tool pulls data from district courts statewide. Search by name and select Wayne County to find cases filed in Dearborn.

Felony cases that originate in the 19th District Court are forwarded to the Wayne County Third Circuit Court after a preliminary examination. The 3rd Circuit Court can be reached through 3rdcc.org. That court handles all felony trials, sentencing, and appeals for Wayne County.

If you need certified court records for a legal proceeding, immigration case, or licensing application, contact the clerk's office at the court that handled the case. The online search tool does not provide certified documents. Those must be ordered separately.

ICHAT Criminal History Search

The Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) is available at apps.michigan.gov. The cost is $10 per name search. It runs against the Michigan State Police criminal history index, which is built from data sent by courts and law enforcement agencies across the state.

ICHAT is governed by MCL 28.241. Under that law, the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center maintains the index and sets rules for public access. Data includes felony and misdemeanor convictions and some arrest records from Wayne County and Dearborn cases.

Results are generally quick. If a name is common, you may get several results. Review each one carefully. ICHAT shows basic identifying information alongside conviction and arrest data to help you confirm you have the right person.

ICHAT is a reference tool. It is not a certified background check and should not be used as one. For official or legal purposes, order certified records from the court or from the Michigan State Police directly. ICHAT works best as a first step when you are trying to understand the general scope of someone's record in Michigan.

Clean Slate Law and Expungement in Dearborn

Michigan's Clean Slate law, codified at MCL 780.621g, created an automatic expungement process for certain convictions. Lower-level felonies and many misdemeanors may be eligible for automatic set-aside after a set waiting period without any action needed from the individual.

Not all offenses qualify. Serious assaultive crimes, sex offenses that require registration, and traffic violations causing injury or death are not eligible for expungement. The automatic process is run by the Michigan State Police in coordination with the courts.

If your offense does not qualify for automatic expungement, you can file a petition. For Dearborn misdemeanor convictions, file at the 19th District Court. For felony convictions, file at the Wayne County Third Circuit Court. The petition process involves a waiting period, a background check, and a hearing before a judge.

Once expungement is granted, the record is removed from ICHAT and most public databases. Law enforcement agencies can still access expunged records for law enforcement purposes. The full text of MCL 780.621g is at legislature.mi.gov.

If you need help figuring out whether your record qualifies, local legal aid organizations in Wayne County can review your case. They can also assist with completing and filing the petition if you decide to proceed.

Sex Offender Registry

Michigan's Public Sex Offender Registry (PSOR) is governed by MCL 28.721 and searchable for free at mspsor.com. You can search by name or by location to find registered offenders in Dearborn or anywhere in Wayne County. The registry is maintained and updated by the Michigan State Police.

Registrants must update their address and other details regularly. Missing an update is a separate criminal offense. If you see out-of-date information on the registry, contact the Michigan State Police to report it.

Additional Resources

Wayne County is one of the most populous counties in Michigan, and its agencies handle a large volume of criminal cases. The 3rd Circuit Court at 3rdcc.org covers all Wayne County felony cases. The Wayne County Prosecutor's office makes charging decisions for Dearborn felony arrests. The county clerk's office maintains the official court record.

The Michigan Court Case Search at courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ is the best free statewide tool. It pulls from all Michigan district and circuit courts. For cases that crossed county lines or involved state agencies, this is more useful than searching just one county's system.

The Michigan Legislature site at legislature.mi.gov has the full text of the FOIA law, the Clean Slate statutes, MCL 28.241 on criminal history, and MCL 28.721 on sex offender registration. Use it when you need to verify what a law actually says before acting on it.