St. Joseph County Criminal Records
What Is St. Joseph County Criminal Records
Criminal records in St. Joseph County, Michigan, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies operating at the local, county, and state levels.
Arrest records document the act of taking an individual into custody and include booking information, charges alleged at the time of arrest, and bail determinations. Conviction records, by contrast, reflect a formal finding of guilt following a plea or trial and carry legal consequences such as sentencing, fines, and probation. Under Michigan law, an arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute proof of guilt and is treated differently for disclosure purposes.
Criminal offenses in Michigan are classified as either felonies — crimes punishable by more than one year of imprisonment in a state correctional facility — or misdemeanors, which carry lesser penalties typically served in a county jail. Juvenile records are generally sealed pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws § 712A.28 and are not accessible to the general public in the same manner as adult records. Active warrants represent current judicial orders for an individual's arrest, while historical records document past proceedings that have reached final disposition.
The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in St. Joseph County include:
- St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking logs, and jail records
- St. Joseph County Circuit and District Courts — maintain case files, arraignment records, pleas, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation records
- Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center — maintains statewide criminal history records
- Local municipal police departments — maintain incident and arrest reports within their respective jurisdictions
Records maintained by these agencies collectively document charges filed, arraignments, pleas entered, trial proceedings, sentencing, and any subsequent probation or parole conditions.
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office 651 E. Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032 (269) 467-9045 St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office
St. Joseph County Clerk's Office 125 W. Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032 (269) 467-5500 County Clerk – St. Joseph County
Are Criminal Records Public In St. Joseph County
Adult criminal records in St. Joseph County are generally accessible to members of the public under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq. This statute establishes that public records held by state and local government bodies are open to inspection and copying upon request, subject to specific statutory exemptions. The Act affirms that "it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government."
The following categories of records are currently accessible to the public:
- Adult conviction records, including felony and misdemeanor dispositions
- Court case filings, hearing schedules, and final judgments
- Arrest logs and booking records maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration information pursuant to the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act
The following categories are restricted from public disclosure under current law:
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed under MCL § 712A.28
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Expunged records that have been set aside pursuant to MCL § 780.621
- Confidential informant identities and certain victim information
How To Look Up Criminal Records In St. Joseph County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain criminal records in St. Joseph County through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
Step 1 — Identify the record type and maintaining agency. Court case records are held by the County Clerk; arrest and jail records are held by the Sheriff's Office; statewide criminal history is maintained by the Michigan State Police.
Step 2 — Submit a FOIA request to the appropriate agency. Written requests must identify the record sought with sufficient specificity. The St. Joseph County Clerk's Office accepts requests in person at 125 W. Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Step 3 — Use the Michigan Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). The Michigan State Police operates ICHAT, which provides access to criminal history records maintained statewide. A nominal fee is assessed per name search for non-law-enforcement requestors.
Step 4 — Search court case records through MiCOURT. The MiCOURT Case Search portal allows members of the public to search case information across participating Michigan courts by name or case number.
Step 5 — Pay applicable fees. Agencies may charge fees for copying and staff time in accordance with FOIA fee schedules. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances.
Step 6 — Receive and review records. Agencies are required to respond to FOIA requests within five business days of receipt, with the possibility of a ten-business-day extension under MCL § 15.235.
How To Find Criminal Records in St. Joseph County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to St. Joseph County criminal record information without requiring an in-person visit.
MiCOURT Case Search — The statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal provides access to case numbers, charge information, and conviction records for cases processed through participating Michigan courts, including St. Joseph County Circuit and District Courts. Users may search by full name or case number. No registration is required for basic searches; however, some courts limit the information displayed to conviction records only.
ICHAT — Michigan State Police — The Internet Criminal History Access Tool, accessible through the Michigan State Police Criminal History Records page, allows name-based searches of public criminal history maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Center. A fee of $10.00 per search is currently assessed for public users. Law enforcement agencies access a more comprehensive version of this database.
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office — Jail Information — Current jail information, including inmate status and facility details, is available through the Sheriff's Office online resources. This portal reflects individuals currently held at the St. Joseph County Jail.
Sheriff's Office Divisions and Units — Information regarding the divisions and units of the Sheriff's Office, including law enforcement functions relevant to arrest and detention records, is published on the county website.
Records pertaining to sealed juvenile cases, expunged matters, and active investigative files are not available through any online portal and require a formal written request with appropriate legal authorization.
Can You Search St. Joseph County Criminal Records for Free?
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act permits members of the public to inspect public records at no charge; fees may only be assessed for duplication and staff time associated with fulfilling a request. Under MCL § 15.234, a public body may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of providing the copy, and the first $20.00 of fees must be waived for individuals who demonstrate indigency.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- MiCOURT Case Search — Basic case lookups, including case numbers and conviction information, are available free of charge through the MiCOURT Case Search portal
- In-person inspection at the County Clerk's Office — Members of the public may inspect court records in person at 125 W. Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032, without charge; copying fees apply
- Sheriff's Office jail roster — Current inmate information is accessible online through the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office website at no cost
The ICHAT statewide criminal history search currently carries a $10.00 fee per name search for members of the public. Certified copies of court documents obtained from the County Clerk's Office are subject to a per-page fee established by Michigan court rules.
What's Included in a St. Joseph County Criminal Record?
A complete criminal record in St. Joseph County may contain information drawn from multiple agencies and proceedings. The specific contents vary depending on the source of the record.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number and FBI number, where assigned
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police, or state police)
- Booking number and facility (St. Joseph County Jail)
- Charges alleged at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set and conditions of release
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction (Circuit or District Court)
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges as formally filed, including applicable Michigan statute, felony class, or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Attorney of record and prosecuting authority
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
- Conviction date and sentencing details, including incarceration length, fines, restitution, and probation conditions
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole status and supervising agency
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status under the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act
- DUI/OWI convictions and related traffic violations
- Pending charges not yet adjudicated
How Long Does St. Joseph County Keep Criminal Records?
St. Joseph County and the State of Michigan maintain criminal records according to retention schedules established under state law and Michigan Supreme Court administrative orders. Under the Michigan Court Rules and the Local Government Records Retention and Disposal Schedule issued by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, the following general retention periods apply:
- Felony conviction records — Retained permanently by the court and the Michigan State Police
- Misdemeanor conviction records — Retained for a minimum of seven years following final disposition; many are retained permanently
- Arrest records without conviction — Retained for a minimum of three years; may be subject to expungement petition under MCL § 780.621
- Juvenile adjudication records — Retained until the subject reaches age 30, after which destruction may be authorized pursuant to MCL § 712A.28
- Probation and parole records — Retained for a minimum of five years following discharge from supervision
- Booking photographs and fingerprints — Retained in accordance with Michigan State Police records schedules, generally for the life of the subject
The St. Joseph County Clerk's Office maintains court records in accordance with the Michigan Trial Court Case File Management Standards. The Sheriff's Office retains arrest and jail records pursuant to the applicable local government retention schedule. Requests for record destruction or expungement must be submitted through the appropriate court with jurisdiction over the original matter.