Find Arrest Records in Keweenaw County
Keweenaw County sits at the very tip of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula on Lake Superior, making it the most remote county in the Lower 48 states for many purposes. It is also Michigan's least populated county. Arrest records here are handled by the Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office out of Eagle River, with cases processed through the courts it shares with neighboring Houghton County. This page covers how to search arrest records and criminal history tied to Keweenaw County.
Keweenaw County Overview
How to Search Keweenaw County Arrest Records
Keweenaw County is unique in Michigan. With a very small permanent population, fewer than 2,300 residents by most estimates, it generates far fewer arrest records than any other county in the state. That said, the same public records laws apply here as everywhere else in Michigan. Arrest records are public. Court records are public. ICHAT covers Keweenaw County cases just like every other county.
The Keweenaw County Sheriff is the primary law enforcement authority for the county. There are no incorporated cities in Keweenaw County with their own police departments. That means the sheriff handles virtually all local law enforcement, so all arrest records flow through one office.
Because of the small case volume, the county's records are managed somewhat differently than larger counties. Calling ahead before visiting in person is strongly recommended. The sheriff's office is in Eagle River at 906-337-0529. They can tell you what records are available and how to request them.
For court cases, Keweenaw County is served by the 12th Circuit Court and the 97th District Court, which are the same courts that serve neighboring Houghton County. Both courts are searchable through the Michigan statewide case search system.
Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office
The Keweenaw County Sheriff is the only general law enforcement agency for the county. The office in Eagle River handles all arrests, jail bookings, and records. Because the county is so small, the jail may hold very few inmates at any given time.
| Office | Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Phone | 906-337-0529 |
| County Seat | Eagle River, MI |
| Website | keweenawcountyonline.org |
| Region | Upper Peninsula, Keweenaw Peninsula tip |
| Population | Michigan's least populated county |
Call 906-337-0529 for records questions or to ask about current inmates. For longer-term or historical records, a FOIA request in writing is the standard approach. The Michigan State Police also patrols parts of the Keweenaw Peninsula, so some incident reports may be held by MSP rather than the county sheriff.
Michigan Court Case Search for Keweenaw County
Keweenaw County shares courts with Houghton County. The 12th Circuit Court handles felony cases, and the 97th District Court handles misdemeanors and civil matters. Both are searchable free through the Michigan statewide case search portal.
Search at courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. Look up by name or case number. Results show charges, filing date, court, and case outcome. This is free and open to anyone.
ICHAT Criminal History for Keweenaw County
ICHAT, Michigan's Internet Criminal History Access Tool, pulls from the Michigan State Police criminal history database and covers records from all 83 counties, including Keweenaw. The cost is $10 per name search under MCL 28.241. Results include arrests, charges, and dispositions for both felonies and misdemeanors.
Given Keweenaw County's small size, ICHAT is especially useful here because it checks statewide records at once. If someone has arrests from other Michigan counties in addition to Keweenaw, ICHAT will show all of them together. Access it at apps.michigan.gov. Payment is required before results are displayed.
OTIS Offender Tracking
The Michigan Department of Corrections runs OTIS, the Offender Tracking Information System. It's free at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2/otis2.html. Search by name to find anyone currently incarcerated or under DOC supervision. OTIS also has historical records for former prisoners. Given Keweenaw County's small population, DOC records here are relatively sparse, but the system covers all Michigan counties equally.
FOIA Requests for Keweenaw County Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231) gives you the right to request records from public agencies including the Keweenaw County Sheriff. The agency has 5 business days to respond. Submit your request in writing to the Eagle River office. Include the subject's name, date of arrest if known, and the specific records you want.
For MSP records, use the Michigan State Police FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. Fees may apply for copying and staff time. Given the county's small staff, response times may vary.
Sex Offender Registry for Keweenaw County
Michigan's Public Sex Offender Registry is maintained statewide under MCL 28.721. Search for Keweenaw County registrants at mspsor.com. Given the county's small population, the list of registrants with Keweenaw addresses is very short, but it is maintained in the same system as all 83 Michigan counties.
Use the search form at mspsor.com/Home/Search to search by county, zip code, or name. The registry is free and requires no account to search.
Clean Slate Expungement in Keweenaw County
Michigan's Clean Slate law (MCL 780.621g) expanded expungement eligibility across the state, including for Keweenaw County cases. Some convictions are set aside automatically after a waiting period. Others require filing a petition with the sentencing court.
For Keweenaw County convictions, the petition goes to the 12th Circuit Court (felonies) or the 97th District Court (misdemeanors). These courts are shared with Houghton County and are physically located in Houghton. The Michigan Legislature site at legislature.mi.gov has the full statute text. A set-aside removes the record from most public background check databases.