St. Joseph County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in St. Joseph County
Arrest records in St. Joseph County are generally considered public records under Michigan law. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq., establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by state and local government agencies, including law enforcement bodies. Under this framework, members of the public may inspect arrest logs, booking records, and related documentation held by the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office and other authorized agencies, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the fact that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of criminal liability. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt following a plea or trial. Michigan law recognizes this distinction, and certain protections apply to individuals whose arrests did not result in conviction. Pursuant to Michigan's Clean Slate Act (MCL § 780.621), effective April 11, 2023, some criminal records — including certain arrests — may be automatically set aside, which affects their availability through court and law enforcement databases.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - St. Joseph County portal provides the primary mechanism through which members of the public may submit formal requests for records held by county agencies.
What's in St. Joseph County Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by St. Joseph County law enforcement agencies typically contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and throughout the custodial process.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, hair color, eye color)
- Race and gender
- Last known residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office, local municipal police)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Applicable Michigan Penal Code statute citations
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or civil infraction)
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of originating warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned at intake
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where the individual was processed
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (personal recognizance, cash, surety)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted, pending, forfeited)
Court Information:
- Assigned court and case number
- Scheduled arraignment or hearing dates
- Presiding judge or magistrate
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Release date and conditions, if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Fingerprint records and booking photographs (mugshots)
- Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest
- Co-defendant information where applicable
How To Look Up Arrest Records in St. Joseph County in 2026
Members of the public may access St. Joseph County arrest records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for obtaining these records.
Step 1 — Identify the Holding Agency. Determine which agency made the arrest. The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office handles arrests made in unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. Municipal police departments handle arrests within their respective city or township limits.
Step 2 — Submit a FOIA Request. Members of the public may submit a written FOIA request to the appropriate agency. St. Joseph County's online FOIA portal allows requesters to identify the correct department and submit requests electronically. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought and include the requester's contact information.
Step 3 — Pay Applicable Fees. Agencies may charge fees for search, duplication, and mailing costs in accordance with MCL § 15.234, which governs permissible FOIA fees in Michigan. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances.
Step 4 — Await Agency Response. Under Michigan FOIA, the responding agency must acknowledge the request within five business days and either fulfill or deny it within that period, with possible extensions.
Step 5 — Appeal if Denied. If a request is denied, the requester may appeal to the agency's FOIA coordinator or seek judicial review in the circuit court.
St. Joseph County Clerk's Office 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032 (269) 467-5500 St. Joseph County Government
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office 651 E. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032 (269) 467-9045 St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department
How To Find St. Joseph County Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms currently provide access to arrest and court records for St. Joseph County.
The MiCOURT Case Search system, maintained by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office, allows members of the public to search court case records statewide, including those originating in St. Joseph County. Users may search by name, case number, or date of birth. It should be noted that some courts display criminal conviction information only when sentencing occurred within seven years of the search date.
The 45th Circuit Court serves as Michigan's major trial court for St. Joseph County and maintains records of felony criminal proceedings. Effective April 11, 2023, access to certain criminal records through this court has been modified pursuant to the Clean Slate Act, and some records may no longer appear in public searches.
The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office may also publish current inmate information and recent arrest activity through its official web presence. Members of the public seeking jail information — including current custody status of individuals held at the county facility — may access that resource directly.
How To Search St. Joseph County Arrest Records for Free?
Several no-cost methods are currently available for searching arrest records in St. Joseph County.
- MiCOURT Case Search — The statewide court case search portal is available at no charge to the public and provides access to case-level information, including charges and case status, for matters filed in St. Joseph County courts.
- In-Person Inspection — Under Michigan FOIA, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at the holding agency without incurring copying fees. Individuals may visit the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office or the 45th Circuit Court clerk's office during regular business hours to review records on-site.
- Sheriff's Office Public Logs — Arrest logs and daily activity reports maintained by the Sheriff's Office may be reviewed in person at no cost.
45th Circuit Court 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032 (269) 467-5531 45th Circuit Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
How To Delete Arrest Records in St. Joseph County
Michigan law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). These are distinct remedies. Expungement results in the setting aside of a conviction or arrest record, effectively removing it from public view and, in many cases, from law enforcement databases accessible to the general public. Sealing restricts access to a record without fully erasing it, meaning the record may still be accessible to certain government agencies.
Under the Michigan Clean Slate Act, codified at MCL § 780.621, individuals may be eligible to have certain arrests and convictions automatically set aside if they meet statutory criteria, including waiting periods and offense-type eligibility. Arrests that did not result in conviction are generally eligible for expungement upon petition.
Eligibility Conditions for Expungement:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction
- A specified waiting period has elapsed since the arrest or case disposition
- The offense is not among those statutorily excluded from expungement (e.g., certain violent or sexual offenses)
Steps to Petition for Expungement:
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record from the arresting agency or court
- Complete the Michigan Application to Set Aside Conviction (form MC 227)
- File the petition with the 45th Circuit Court for felony matters, or the appropriate district court for misdemeanor matters
- Serve copies on the Michigan State Police and the prosecuting attorney's office
- Attend the scheduled hearing before the assigned judge
The Michigan State Police maintains the central repository of criminal history records, and approved expungements are reported to that agency for record update.
What Happens After Arrest in St. Joseph County?
The criminal justice process in St. Joseph County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
- Arrest and Booking — Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the St. Joseph County Jail for booking, where identifying information, fingerprints, and photographs are collected.
- Arraignment — The arraignee appears before a magistrate or judge, typically within 24 to 48 hours of arrest, to be formally advised of charges and to have bond conditions set.
- Preliminary Examination (Felony Cases) — For felony charges, a preliminary examination is held in district court to determine whether probable cause exists to bind the case over to the 45th Circuit Court.
- Circuit or District Court Proceedings — Cases proceed through pretrial conferences, motion hearings, and, if not resolved by plea, trial.
- Sentencing — Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Michigan sentencing guidelines.
- Post-Conviction Remedies — Individuals may pursue appeals, sentence modifications, or expungement as permitted by law.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in St. Joseph County?
Arrest records in St. Joseph County are subject to retention schedules established under Michigan law and administrative policy. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget publishes records retention and disposal schedules applicable to local government agencies, including law enforcement bodies.
Under current Michigan administrative rules, law enforcement agencies are generally required to retain arrest records for a minimum period tied to the nature of the offense and the outcome of the case:
- Felony arrest records — Retained permanently or for extended periods, particularly where a conviction resulted
- Misdemeanor arrest records — Typically retained for a minimum of several years following case closure
- Arrests not resulting in conviction — May be subject to shorter retention periods, though records are often maintained until expungement is granted
Different agencies within St. Joseph County — including the Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and the 45th Circuit Court — maintain separate records and may apply different retention schedules. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system. Individuals whose records have been expunged under the Clean Slate Act may find that those records are no longer accessible through standard public search tools, though law enforcement agencies may retain internal copies as permitted by statute.
How to Find Mugshots in St. Joseph County
What Mugshots Are Mugshots are photographic images taken of an individual at the time of booking into a detention facility. They are part of the official booking record and are maintained alongside fingerprints and other identifying information collected during the intake process.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained In St. Joseph County, booking photographs are maintained by the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office at the county jail facility. The Sheriff's Office is the primary custodian of these records for individuals booked into county custody.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public seeking booking photographs may submit a FOIA request to the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office. The request should identify the individual by full name and, if known, the date of arrest or booking number.
Can They Be Found Online At present, St. Joseph County does not operate a publicly accessible online mugshot database. Third-party websites may republish booking photographs obtained from public records, though the accuracy and currency of such information cannot be verified through official channels.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official copies of booking photographs may be obtained by submitting a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office. Applicable duplication fees may apply in accordance with Michigan FOIA fee provisions.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Booking photographs associated with records that have been expunged or set aside under the Clean Slate Act may no longer be accessible to the general public. Juvenile booking records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Michigan law and are generally not available to the public.
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office 651 E. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032 (269) 467-9045 St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.