Monroe County Public Records / Monroe County Arrest Records

Monroe County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Monroe County in 2026

MonroeMIRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records, booking data, and related criminal justice records in Monroe County, Michigan. Members of the public may find records that include booking details, charges filed, custody status, court case information, and inmate roster data. Record categories available through official and third-party sources include:

Arrest and booking records
Jail inmate rosters and census reports
Court case filings and criminal case histories
State offender search results
Local police department arrest logs

Members of the public may search arrest records through official county resources, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the Monroe County Clerk of Court, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online government databases. The following sections detail each available method.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office maintains current jail roster and inmate census data accessible to the public online. The Monroe County Inmate Roster lists currently held individuals by last name, first name, MCJ number, and date of entry. The Monroe County Inmate Census provides a point-in-time snapshot of the jail population, including custody dates, charges, and housing assignments. These documents are updated regularly and reflect current detainee information. Members of the public may download these PDFs directly from the Monroe County government website at no cost.

2. Local Police Departments

The Monroe Police Department, operating under the Monroe Public Safety Department, maintains arrest and incident information for the City of Monroe. The department has served the community for over 185 years. Members of the public seeking arrest logs or press releases related to city-level arrests may contact the Monroe Police Department directly. Press releases with arrest information are periodically published through the department's public communications channels.

Monroe Police Department
233 S. Macomb St.
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 243-7500
Monroe Police Department

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Court cases associated with arrests in Monroe County are searchable through the MiCOURT Case Search portal maintained by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office. Members of the public may search by arrestee name to locate associated criminal case filings, charge information, and case dispositions. It should be noted that some courts display case numbers and information for criminal convictions only if sentencing occurred within seven years of the date of search. Felony and misdemeanor cases filed in the Monroe County Circuit Court and District Court are accessible through this system.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Michigan Department of Corrections operates the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), which provides searchable information on individuals currently or previously under the supervision of the Michigan Department of Corrections. OTIS does not include information on prisoners held in county jails or city lockups; for those inquiries, members of the public are directed to the relevant county sheriff's office. The Office of Public Information and Communications may be contacted at correctionsinfo@michigan.gov for additional assistance. There is no fee to search the OTIS database.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Monroe County Sheriff's Office
100 E. Second St.
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 240-7530
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Monroe County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where available, the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date or booking number. Fees for copies of records are assessed at the time of the request.

Clerk of Court:

Monroe County Clerk of Court
125 E. Second St.
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 240-7020
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Monroe County Clerk

Criminal case files may be inspected at the Clerk's office during regular business hours. Copy fees apply per page for reproduced documents.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 100 E. Second St., Monroe, MI 48161. Each written request should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of arrest if known, booking number if known, and the requestor's full name and return mailing address. Payment for applicable copy fees should be included with the request. Processing time varies based on request volume and record availability.

By Phone:

Monroe County Sheriff's Office: (734) 240-7530
Requestors should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
Detailed record information is not released by phone; requestors may be directed to the online roster or an in-person visit

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated case files through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas may be issued for detailed records not otherwise available to the general public. Records obtained through legal proceedings are governed by applicable court rules and Michigan Rules of Evidence.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number, if known
Jurisdiction of arrest (county sheriff, city police, or state agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Monroe County

Arrest records in Monroe County are public records under Michigan law. Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., members of the public have the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by state and local government agencies, including law enforcement. Arrest records are made available to promote government transparency, support public safety awareness, facilitate journalism and academic research, assist in background screening processes, and serve as foundational documents in legal proceedings.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Michigan law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Information related to active investigations may be withheld
Undercover officer identities are exempt from disclosure
Confidential informant information is protected
Victim identifying information may be withheld in certain cases
Participants in witness protection programs are excluded from public records

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The Michigan Constitution and the Michigan Freedom of Information Act together establish the framework for public access to government records. Courts have recognized the First Amendment interest of the press and public in accessing arrest information, balanced against individual privacy rights. Due process considerations inform the distinction between an arrest record and a record of conviction.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
Licensing agencies
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers using arrest records for hiring decisions must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Michigan does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to all private employers, though certain municipalities have enacted local ordinances. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt, and use of arrest records without conviction in employment or housing decisions may give rise to legal liability under applicable state and federal law.

What's in Monroe County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest, which may be limited in public-facing records

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest by street address or general area
Arresting agency, which may be the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Monroe Police Department, Michigan State Police, or another law enforcement entity
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges as filed
Michigan statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications, including felony degree or misdemeanor class
Number of counts for each charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable
Gang-related designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints are collected during booking but are not included in public-facing records

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status, indicating whether the individual is in custody, released, or bonded out
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type, which may include cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance bond, or no bond
Release date and time, if the individual has been released
Release conditions, where publicly available

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following arraignment
Court jurisdiction, such as Monroe County Circuit Court or 38th District Court
Scheduled arraignment date
Court location
Judge assignment, where available through the MiCOURT Case Search portal

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest as contained in the police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Investigative techniques
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number, which is redacted from public records
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives and investigative information not included in the arrest record
Court records: Document legal proceedings that occur after the arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed by a court
Background checks: Comprehensive screenings that draw from multiple sources including arrest records, court records, and state repositories

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Monroe County?

Members of the public may access certain arrest records at no cost through online resources, including the Monroe County Inmate Roster and Inmate Census, which are available as free PDF downloads. Fees apply when requesting physical copies of records from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office or the Monroe County Clerk of Court.

Under MCL § 15.234, the Michigan Freedom of Information Act establishes the framework for permissible fees that public bodies may charge for responding to records requests. Fees are limited to the actual cost of reproduction and may not include overhead costs unrelated to the specific request.

Record Type	Estimated Fee
Inspection of records (in-person)	No charge
Paper copies (per page)	$0.10–$0.25 per page (standard)
Certification of records	Varies by office
Electronic format (CD/email)	Actual cost of media
Search fee	Not permitted under FOIA

Accepted payment methods at the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court include cash, check, and money order payable to the respective agency. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or members of the media, subject to the public body's discretion under applicable law. Court records accessed through the MiCOURT Case Search portal are available for online viewing at no charge; fees apply for certified copies obtained from the Clerk of Court.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Monroe County

Michigan law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure from public records) and sealing (restricting public access while retaining the record). Under Michigan's Clean Slate Act, which amended MCL § 780.621, significant expansions to expungement eligibility took effect, allowing more individuals to petition for the removal of certain arrest and conviction records.

Expungement results in the setting aside of a conviction or arrest record, effectively removing it from public access. Once granted, the record is not accessible to the general public or most employers. Sealing restricts access to a record without destroying it; law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records.

Eligibility for Expungement in Michigan:

Individuals with certain misdemeanor or felony convictions may petition after a waiting period
Arrests that did not result in conviction are eligible for expungement
Certain serious offenses, including criminal sexual conduct, life offenses, and traffic offenses causing death or serious injury, are not eligible
Michigan's automatic expungement provisions apply to certain offenses after applicable waiting periods have elapsed without further criminal activity

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the criminal record from the Michigan State Police or the Monroe County Clerk of Court
Complete the Application to Set Aside Conviction (form MC 227), available from the Michigan courts
File the application with the Monroe County Circuit Court or the court of conviction
Serve copies on the Michigan Attorney General's Office and the prosecuting attorney
Attend the scheduled hearing before a judge
If granted, the court issues an order setting aside the conviction, and the Michigan State Police updates the state repository

Monroe County Circuit Court
125 E. Second St.
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 240-7020
Monroe County Courts

Monroe County Public Defender's Office
125 E. Second St., Suite 2100
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 240-7060

Members of the public seeking expungement assistance may also contact Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org for self-help resources and referrals to legal aid organizations.

What Happens After Arrest in Monroe County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Monroe County, the arrested individual is transported to the Monroe County Jail for booking. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest and the arresting agency. The individual remains in restraints during transport and may be held briefly at the scene if investigation activities require completion prior to transport.

Monroe County Jail
100 E. Second St.
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 240-7530
Monroe County Sheriff's Office

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Monroe County Jail, the booking process is initiated. The process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps include:

Recording of personal identification information
Advisement of Miranda rights, if not previously administered
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted for criminal history check
Outstanding warrants check conducted
Personal property inventoried and stored
Clothing exchanged for jail-issued attire
Medical and brief mental health screening completed
Housing classification assigned

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Michigan law requires that an arrested individual be brought before a magistrate or judge for an initial appearance within a reasonable time following arrest, and no later than the arraignment timeframe established by the Michigan Court Rules. At the initial appearance:

The individual is formally notified of the charges
Eligibility for a court-appointed attorney is assessed
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are formally advisement
The hearing may be conducted via video conference

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash. The amount is refunded upon conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided all court appearances are made.

Surety Bond: The individual or a family member engages a licensed bail bondsman, who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is ten percent of the total bond in Michigan.

Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: The individual is released on a written promise to appear. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The individual is held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release may include check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release takes approximately one to eight hours. The individual receives their personal property, a written notice of court dates, and written conditions of release. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a bench warrant.

If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to jail rules, commissary access, phone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Monroe County Public Defender's Office
125 E. Second St., Suite 2100
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 240-7060

Eligibility for a court-appointed public defender is based on financial need. Private counsel may be retained at any stage of the proceedings and may visit the jail for confidential consultations.

Charging Decision:

The Monroe County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. This review occurs within days to weeks of the arrest. For felony offenses, a preliminary examination is held in district court to determine whether probable cause exists to bind the case over to circuit court.

Monroe County Prosecutor's Office
125 E. Second St.
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 240-7060
Monroe County Prosecutor

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the formal charges are read, the defendant enters a plea, and future court dates are scheduled. The majority of defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, preserving all pretrial rights.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution may occur through dismissal, diversion programs such as drug court or mental health court, a negotiated plea agreement, or trial. If convicted, sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination thereof.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: within 24–72 hours
First appearance to arraignment: days to weeks depending on charge level
Arraignment to trial or resolution: several months, varying widely by case complexity
Misdemeanors: resolved within weeks to several months
Felonies: resolved within several months to over one year
Michigan's constitutional right to a speedy trial applies throughout

Rights Throughout the Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to counsel
Right to a speedy trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

What to Do If Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Politely invoke the right to remain silent
Request an attorney immediately and do not answer questions without counsel present
Do not discuss the case with other inmates, family, or friends
Contact family or friends to assist with bail if applicable
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Monroe County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Monroe County is governed by Michigan law and the records retention schedules established by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Under MCL § 399.5, public records may not be destroyed except in accordance with an approved records retention and disposal schedule.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the Monroe County Clerk of Court, the Michigan State Police criminal history repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently or for an extended period by local law enforcement and the state repository
Court records for misdemeanor cases are retained for a minimum of several years and in many cases permanently in electronic form

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement retains booking records for a defined period even when charges are dismissed
Court records may remain accessible unless the individual successfully petitions for expungement
The record may remain in state and federal databases unless expunged

Acquittals:

Court records are retained, often permanently in electronic systems
Local law enforcement retains booking records for a defined period
The individual may petition for expungement of the arrest record

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records are retained for a shorter period
The individual may be eligible to petition for expungement immediately in certain circumstances

Retention by Agency:

Monroe County Sheriff's Office:

Booking records and arrest reports are retained according to the applicable Michigan records retention schedule
Investigative files are retained based on case outcome and offense classification
Phone: (734) 240-7530

Monroe County Clerk of Court:

Felony case files: permanent retention
Misdemeanor case files: retained for a minimum period established by the Michigan Supreme Court's records retention schedule
Electronic records: permanent in most instances

Michigan State Police Criminal History Repository:

Maintains arrest and conviction records from all jurisdictions in Michigan
Retention is governed by state policy and applicable law

FBI Database:

The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records at the federal level, accessible to law enforcement nationwide
Federal retention is permanent for most criminal history records

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Disposition	Public Retention	Expungement Eligibility
Conviction	Permanent	Eligible for certain offenses after waiting period
Dismissal	Varies by agency	Eligible
Acquittal	Varies	Eligible
No charges filed	Shorter period	Eligible in many cases

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same update requirements as law enforcement agencies. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate records, but third-party websites operating outside the FCRA framework may not update records following expungement. Individuals who have obtained an expungement order may need to contact third-party websites separately to request removal.

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks are limited to seven years of non-conviction records for positions paying below a certain salary threshold. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Michigan law does not currently impose a blanket prohibition on reporting arrests without conviction, though the distinction between an arrest and a conviction is legally significant in employment and housing contexts.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Records Division at (734) 240-7530 to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A formal public records request submitted under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act may be required, and applicable fees may apply for copies of responsive records.