Houghton County Arrest Records
Houghton County sits at the heart of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula, and arrest records here are maintained by the Houghton County Sheriff's Office along with state and court systems. If you need to search for arrest records, booking logs, or criminal history tied to Houghton County, this page covers the main access points, online databases, FOIA requests, and the courts that handle cases filed in this area.
Houghton County Overview
How to Search Houghton County Arrest Records
There are several ways to get arrest records tied to Houghton County. The fastest online method is the Michigan Court Case Search, which lets you look up case filings by name. For criminal history background checks, ICHAT is the state's main tool. If you want booking records or jail logs directly from the sheriff, a FOIA request is the way to go. Each method gives you different details, so it helps to know what you need before you start.
Houghton is a college town, home to Michigan Tech University, which means the local court system sees a wide range of case types. Cases filed in Houghton County go through the 12th Circuit Court for felonies and the 97th District Court for misdemeanors and civil matters. Both courts feed into the statewide case search system.
You can also use third-party aggregators like StateRecords.org to pull together multiple data sources at once, though these may not be as current as direct court or sheriff sources.
Houghton County Sheriff's Office
The Houghton County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the county, including bookings, jail records, and local warrants. You can reach them directly to ask about public records or to get information on inmates held at the county jail.
| Office | Houghton County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Phone | 906-482-0400 |
| County Seat | Houghton, MI |
| Website | houghtoncounty.net |
| Region | Upper Peninsula, Keweenaw Peninsula |
The sheriff's office maintains booking records for anyone arrested and processed through the Houghton County jail. These records are public under Michigan law, though some details may be withheld if a case is still active or if the information falls under specific exemptions. Call the office directly to ask what is currently available and how to request records in writing.
Michigan Court Case Search for Houghton County
The Michigan One Court of Justice provides a free online case search tool that covers all 83 counties, including Houghton. You can look up cases by name, case number, or date range. The system shows filings, charges, and case status for both district and circuit court matters.
The screenshot below shows the Michigan court case search portal. This is where you can search Houghton County criminal and civil filings by name or case number.
Use the court search at courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ to look up Houghton County cases. Results show the court where the case was filed, the charges listed, and the current status. This is free and available to anyone.
ICHAT Criminal History Search
ICHAT, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool, is Michigan's official system for running criminal background checks. It pulls from the Michigan State Police criminal history database and covers arrests, convictions, and other criminal records from all 83 counties, including Houghton.
A standard ICHAT search costs $10 per name. The system is authorized under MCL 28.241. Results include arrest records, charges, dispositions, and sentencing information where available. You don't need to know which county to search, ICHAT checks statewide records all at once.
Access ICHAT at apps.michigan.gov. Payment is required before results are returned. The search covers both felony and misdemeanor records from across the state.
OTIS, the Offender Tracking Information System, is a separate free database run by the Michigan Department of Corrections. It covers people currently in prison or on parole/probation, as well as some historical records. Search OTIS at mdocweb.state.mi.us.
FOIA Requests in Houghton County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, gives you the right to request public records from government agencies, including police and sheriff departments. The agency has 5 business days to respond to a FOIA request, though they can extend that window if needed.
To request arrest records, booking logs, or incident reports from the Houghton County Sheriff's Office, submit a written FOIA request by mail or in person. Your request should include the name of the person, date of arrest if known, and what specific records you want. The agency can charge a fee for copying and staff time.
For records held by the Michigan State Police, such as statewide criminal history files, submit your FOIA request through the MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia.
Sex Offender Registry for Houghton County
Michigan's Public Sex Offender Registry, PSOR, lists registered sex offenders by name, address, and offense. You can search by name or browse by county and zip code. Houghton County registrants appear in the statewide database.
The registry is maintained under MCL 28.721 and is free to search at mspsor.com. The search form at mspsor.com/Home/Search lets you filter by county, city, or zip code.
Clean Slate and Record Set-Aside in Houghton County
Michigan's Clean Slate law, MCL 780.621g, expanded eligibility for setting aside criminal convictions. More offenses now qualify for expungement compared to prior law, and some convictions can be set aside automatically after a waiting period.
If you have an arrest record or conviction from Houghton County and want to pursue a set-aside, you can petition the court where the case was filed. The 12th Circuit Court handles felony set-asides; the 97th District Court handles misdemeanors. The Michigan Legislature's website at legislature.mi.gov has the full text of the Clean Slate statutes.
A set-aside does not erase the record entirely. Law enforcement agencies and courts can still see sealed records in some cases. But it removes the record from most public searches, including ICHAT results for most users.