Search Westland Arrest Records

How to Search Westland Arrest Records

There are a few different ways to find Westland arrest records. The method you use depends on what you need. For current jail bookings, check the Wayne County inmate inquiry tool. For court cases, use the Michigan courts online portal. For a full criminal history, ICHAT is the best option.

The Westland Police Department keeps arrest records, incident logs, and booking information. These are public records under Michigan's FOIA law, and you can request them in writing. Not everything is released, open investigations and juvenile records may be withheld, but routine arrest logs are usually available.

Most Westland criminal cases start at the 35th District Court. That court handles misdemeanors, arraignments, and preliminary exams for felonies. Once a case moves beyond arraignment for a felony, it goes to Wayne County Circuit Court. The online case search at courts.michigan.gov covers both levels.

For older or non-digitized records, contact the court clerk directly. Some historical records require an in-person visit or written request. If you're trying to find a record from the 1990s or earlier, online search tools may not have the full picture.

Westland Police Department

The Westland Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city. Officers handle patrol, investigations, and the initial processing of all arrests made within Westland city limits. After arrest, individuals are typically held briefly at the department before transfer to the Wayne County Jail.

The department's website has information on public records requests, crime prevention programs, and department contacts. For FOIA submissions, check the department's website for the current request form or mailing address.

The City of Westland's official website provides links to the police department, public records, and other city services used by residents and researchers.

City of Westland homepage at cityofwestland.com, the starting point for police department access and public records requests.

Police Records and FOIA Requests

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 covers public access to government records. The Westland Police Department must respond to FOIA requests within five business days. You can ask for a response, denial, or a timeline for a partial response within that window.

Records you can ask for from Westland PD include arrest reports, incident reports, booking information, dispatch logs, and police blotter entries. If you know the case number or date of the incident, include that in your request. It speeds up the process.

The department may charge fees for document search time and copying. Fees are set under Michigan law and must be disclosed in advance. You can ask for a fee waiver if you are requesting records in the public interest. Decisions on waivers are at the department's discretion, but Michigan law sets limits on what they can charge.

If a request is denied, you have the right to appeal. Appeals go to the agency's FOIA coordinator first. If that fails, you can file a case in circuit court. The state FOIA page at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia has guidance on the process.

Keep copies of everything you send. A written paper trail helps if you need to escalate a denial later. Email requests are acceptable in most cases and create a natural record of the submission date.

Inmate Search, Wayne County Jail

Wayne County runs an online inmate inquiry tool where you can search for people currently held at the Wayne County Jail. It is available at no cost. You can search by last name, first name, or booking number to find current detainees.

The Wayne County inmate inquiry page is at inmateinquiry.waynecounty.com. Search results show the inmate's full name, booking date, charge descriptions, and bond status. The tool reflects current bookings and is updated regularly.

After an arrest in Westland, the individual is usually transferred to the Wayne County Jail within hours. If you are trying to find someone who was recently arrested and they do not show up in the Wayne County system yet, call Westland PD directly at 734-722-9600. They can confirm whether someone is still at the local holding facility.

Wayne County Jail is a large facility that houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates serving shorter terms. The jail also holds individuals awaiting transfer to state prisons. Visitation and phone access rules are set by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

35th District Court

The 35th District Court serves Westland, Canton Township, and the city of Wayne. This court handles all misdemeanor criminal cases and the early stages of felony proceedings, including arraignments and preliminary examinations.

If you are looking for a court case from Westland, search by name or case number on the Michigan One Court of Justice portal. The portal shows charge information, court dates, case status, and outcome. Most records are available to the public at no cost.

Felony cases that proceed beyond the preliminary examination move to Wayne County Circuit Court. At that point, records are maintained by the circuit court clerk. The same online portal covers circuit court cases, so you can search across court levels from one place.

If you need a certified copy of a court record, contact the 35th District Court clerk directly. Certified copies are often required for legal proceedings such as bond applications, sentencing reviews, or expungement petitions. There is a fee for certified copies.

ICHAT, Michigan Criminal History Tool

ICHAT is Michigan's public criminal history search tool. It is operated by the Michigan State Police under MCL 28.241. A search costs $10 and returns fingerprint-confirmed criminal history for any individual with a Michigan record.

You can access ICHAT at apps.michigan.gov. Results include felony and misdemeanor convictions from across the state, including records from Wayne County. ICHAT is used by attorneys, courts, and individuals conducting personal background research.

Michigan's state offender tracking system provides an additional layer of search for individuals with state supervision records beyond local jail bookings.

Michigan's OTIS offender search tool at mdocweb.state.mi.us, used to find individuals on state supervision or with MDOC records.

ICHAT does not show arrests that did not result in a conviction unless the record was not expunged. Juvenile records are excluded. Records set aside under Michigan's Clean Slate law will not appear in ICHAT results. For the most current and complete picture, combine ICHAT with a court case search.

Each ICHAT search is name-based. If the subject has a common name, you may get multiple results. Use the date of birth and other identifiers to narrow down the correct match. ICHAT results are official and are accepted in legal and court contexts across Michigan.

Michigan Clean Slate Law and Expungement

Michigan's Clean Slate law under MCL 780.621g allows automatic expungement of some criminal records after a waiting period. Eligible offenses include certain misdemeanors and low-level felonies. Once set aside, those records no longer show up in ICHAT or most public database searches.

Not every offense qualifies. Serious felonies, offenses involving firearms, and sex offenses are typically excluded. The waiting period is seven years for most felonies and three years for most misdemeanors from the date of sentencing or release. Automatic set-asides apply only to offenses that meet all criteria.

If your record does not qualify for automatic expungement, you may still file a petition with the court. The court reviews the petition and considers factors like rehabilitation and public safety. Westland residents can file petitions at the 35th District Court or at Wayne County Circuit Court depending on the offense.

For the full text of the expungement law, visit legislature.mi.gov and search for MCL 780.621g. Legal aid organizations in Wayne County can help residents understand if they qualify and how to file the correct paperwork.

Nearby Cities

• Canton Township
• Livonia
• Dearborn
• Detroit