Search Kalamazoo County Arrest Records
Kalamazoo County arrest records are kept by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, the 9th Circuit Court, and local law enforcement agencies including the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. When someone is arrested and booked into the county jail, a record is created that includes charges, booking date, and case status. You can find these records through state databases, court search tools, or by contacting the sheriff's office directly. This page covers the offices involved, what records they hold, and how to get access.
Kalamazoo County Overview
Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office is located at 1500 Lamont Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. The main phone number is (269) 385-6173. Sheriff Richard C Fuller III leads the office, with Undersheriff Michelle Greenlee as second in command.
The office runs three main divisions: Operations, Jail, and Support. Each handles a different part of the sheriff's mission. Operations covers patrol and investigations. The Jail Division manages booking, classification, and custody of all inmates. Support handles administration, training, and records management.
You can find current information about the sheriff's office at old.kalcounty.com/sheriff. That site includes contact information, division details, and general information about how the office operates. The main county site at kalcounty.com covers the broader range of county services.
The sheriff's office generates arrest records whenever its deputies take someone into custody. Those records are separate from records generated by city or township police. If the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety made the arrest, their records are held at the city level, not the county level, though both sets of records typically end up in the same court system.
Kalamazoo County Jail Division
Captain Stephen Beers heads the Jail Division. The jail regularly holds more than 400 inmates at any given time. All inmates are fingerprinted, photographed, and classified when they arrive. That classification determines housing placement and any special supervision requirements.
The Jail Division has three functional sections. Receiving and Intake handles the booking process for all new arrivals. Transport handles the movement of inmates to court appearances and to state prison facilities once a sentence is handed down. The Warrants section manages active warrant processing and coordinates with law enforcement agencies when warrant subjects are brought in.
The jail runs a range of inmate programs. Education and rehabilitation programs help prepare people for release. Mental health services are available for inmates with diagnosed conditions. Ministry programs provide religious support. Health care is provided on-site. Inmate work crews carry out tasks around the facility and, in some cases, support county operations. These programs are part of how the jail manages a large population while trying to reduce recidivism.
For division-specific information, the sheriff's site maintains a divisions page at old.kalcounty.com/sheriff/divisions.htm. That page outlines each section's role and contact information.
How to Find Kalamazoo County Arrest Records
Several tools give you access to Kalamazoo County arrest and criminal records. The right one depends on what you're looking for and how recent the record is.
Michigan Court Case Search
The most direct way to find case records is through the Michigan court system's search portal at courts.michigan.gov/case-search. You can search by name and find filings, charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. This covers cases handled by both the 9th Circuit Court and the 8th District Court, which handles misdemeanor cases in Kalamazoo city.
ICHAT
The Internet Criminal History Access Tool at apps.michigan.gov gives access to Michigan criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police. The search costs $10 and covers conviction records statewide. This is authorized under MCL 28.241. ICHAT is best for confirmed conviction records rather than raw arrest data.
OTIS
If someone you're searching for is or was in state prison, use the Offender Tracking Information System at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2/otis2.html. OTIS is free and run by the Michigan Department of Corrections. It covers state custody only, not county jail.
Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry
The PSOR at mspsor.com is a free public search tool for registered sex offenders in Michigan. It operates under MCL 28.721 and includes address, offense, and registration status information.
StateRecords Michigan
The aggregator at michigan.staterecords.org pulls together publicly available records from multiple sources. It's a useful first stop if you're not sure which agency holds the record you need.
FOIA Requests
You can request records directly from the sheriff's office or other agencies under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231. Written requests must include enough detail to identify the record you want. The MSP handles its own FOIA requests through michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. Each agency sets its own fee schedule for copying and staff time.
Sheriff's Office and Jail Division Screenshots
The image below is from old.kalcounty.com/sheriff/divisions.htm, which outlines how the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office is structured, including the Jail Division and its functions.
This page lists division contacts and provides a clear picture of which unit handles which function within the sheriff's office.
This second image is from the sheriff's main page at old.kalcounty.com/sheriff, showing the sheriff's office homepage and general contact information.
The sheriff's page includes the office address, phone, and links to program and division information relevant to public records access.
9th Circuit Court and District Courts
Felony cases in Kalamazoo County are handled by the 9th Circuit Court at 227 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. The clerk of the 9th Circuit Court is Meredith A. Place. The clerk's office maintains case files, accepts filings, and processes requests for court records. You can reach the clerk's office at that address for certified copies or in-person record access.
Misdemeanor cases within the city of Kalamazoo go through the 8th District Court. Cases from other parts of the county are handled by district courts with jurisdiction over those areas. All Michigan courts are searchable through courts.michigan.gov/case-search.
Court records typically include the charging document, any bond information, plea records, and the final judgment or dismissal. Police reports and arrest narratives are not usually part of the court file and require a separate FOIA request to the arresting agency.
If a case is sealed or involves a juvenile, it will not appear in the public case search. Specialty court records, such as those from drug court or mental health court, may also have restricted access depending on program rules.
Michigan Record Access Laws
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, gives the public the right to inspect and copy public records held by government agencies. Arrest records generally fall under this act once charges are filed. Agencies can withhold certain information, including details that would harm an ongoing investigation, personal identifying information in some contexts, and records protected by other statutes.
Not all arrest records result in convictions. An arrest without a filed charge, or a case that ends in dismissal or acquittal, does not count as a criminal conviction. However, that arrest may still appear in some databases. If you find a record that you believe is being used improperly, Michigan law may provide options depending on the situation.
Michigan's Clean Slate law, MCL 780.621g, allows eligible individuals to petition for expungement of certain convictions and arrests. When a record is expunged, it no longer shows in ICHAT for the general public, though law enforcement retains access in some cases. An attorney familiar with Michigan expungement law can advise on eligibility and the petition process.
For the full text of Michigan statutes governing record access, arrest procedures, and expungement, visit legislature.mi.gov. That site provides the current version of all Michigan laws.
Local Legal Resources in Kalamazoo County
If you need help understanding a record, disputing information, or navigating the FOIA process, several local resources may be able to help. Legal aid organizations in the region serve people who can't afford an attorney. The State Bar of Michigan can refer you to attorneys who handle criminal record matters.
The Kalamazoo County court clerk's office can answer questions about specific case files. They can confirm whether a record exists, provide copies, and clarify what information is and isn't public. Going in person is often faster than submitting written requests for basic questions.
For warrant checks, the sheriff's Warrants section handles active county warrants. If you have reason to believe there's an outstanding warrant in your name, you can contact that section directly or check through the court search portal.
Cities in Kalamazoo County
Kalamazoo is the largest city in the county and has its own dedicated arrest records page with city-specific resources and law enforcement contacts.
Other communities in Kalamazoo County, including Portage, Comstock, and Galesburg, do not have separate pages on this site. The county-level resources above apply for those areas.
Nearby Counties
Kalamazoo County is bordered by several other counties in southwest Michigan. Each has its own sheriff, jail, and court system. If you're looking for records from a neighboring area, use the links below.