Clare County Public Records / Clare County Arrest Records

Clare County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Clare County in 2026

ClareRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Clare County, Michigan. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through this resource. Record categories available through official and third-party sources include arrest logs, booking photographs, bond information, criminal court case filings, and law enforcement agency reports. The completeness and currency of any record depends on the originating agency and applicable disclosure rules.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Clare County Sheriff's Office, the Clare County Clerk of Court, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by state agencies. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Clare County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and jail roster information for individuals processed at the Clare County Jail. The public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about current custody status and recent bookings. Arrest information is updated as bookings occur, and the roster reflects individuals currently held in the facility.

Clare County Sheriff's Office
225 W. Main St.
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7166
Clare County Sheriff's Office

2. Local Police Departments

Several municipal police departments operate within Clare County and maintain their own arrest logs and incident records. The Harrison Police Department and the City of Clare Police Department each process arrests within their respective jurisdictions. Press releases containing arrest information are periodically published by these agencies.

Harrison Police Department
315 W. Main St.
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-6911

Clare Police Department
202 W. Fifth St.
Clare, MI 48617
Phone: (989) 386-7537

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Court cases arising from arrests in Clare County are filed in the Clare County Circuit Court or the 80th District Court. Members of the public may search case records by the arrestee's name to locate associated criminal case filings, charge information, and case disposition. The MiCOURT Case Search portal provides online access to Michigan court case information, including criminal cases originating from Clare County arrests.

Clare County Clerk of Court
225 W. Main St., Suite 2
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Clare County Clerk

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Michigan State Police maintains the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which allows the public to search criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. ICHAT includes public criminal history record information compiled from law enforcement agencies statewide, including Clare County. A fee of $10.00 per search applies to public ICHAT requests submitted online.

Are Arrest Records Public in Clare County

Arrest records in Clare County are subject to public disclosure under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq. Under current law, arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies are presumptively public documents, and any person may submit a FOIA request to obtain them. The Michigan FOIA reflects the principle that government transparency serves the public interest by enabling community awareness, supporting journalism and research, facilitating background screening, and providing information relevant to legal proceedings.

As stated in the Michigan FOIA, "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 and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees."

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
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
Records subject to court-ordered sealing are withheld from disclosure
Information pertaining to active investigations may be withheld
Undercover officer identities and confidential informant information are exempt
Victim identifying information is restricted in certain case types
Participants in witness protection programs are not identified in public records

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

The general public, media organizations, employers conducting background checks in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, landlords, licensing agencies, background check companies, attorneys, and academic researchers may all access arrest records subject to applicable legal restrictions. Employers and landlords are subject to federal and state restrictions on the use of arrest records that did not result in conviction.

What's in Clare County Arrest Records

Clare County arrest records contain several categories of information compiled at the time of booking and during subsequent court proceedings.

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex, race, and ethnicity
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks including scars and tattoos
Address at time of arrest (subject to redaction in certain cases)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date, time, and location
Arresting agency and, in some cases, arresting officer name and badge number
Booking date, time, and booking number
Warrant information where applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges and statute numbers violated
Charge classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence or gang-related designations where applicable

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status
Bond amount and bond type, which may include cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance bond, or no bond
Release date and conditions of release where applicable

Court Information:

Court case number
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment where available

What Is Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest or police report
Witness statements and victim information
Evidence collected during investigation
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted by law)
Bank account or financial information

Arrest records are distinct from police reports, which contain more detailed incident narratives; court records, which document legal proceedings following arrest; criminal records, which reflect convictions and sentences; and comprehensive background check reports, which aggregate information from multiple sources.

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

The cost to obtain arrest records in Clare County depends on the requesting method and the agency holding the records. Under MCL § 15.234, public bodies may charge a fee for the actual cost of providing public records, including the cost of labor, materials, and mailing.

Record Type	Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.10–$0.25 per page (actual cost)
Certification of records	Varies by office
ICHAT criminal history search	$10.00 per search
Court case copies (Clerk of Court)	$1.00 per page (standard)
In-person record inspection	No charge for inspection

Inspection of public records at the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Court is available at no charge during regular business hours.
Copies of records are subject to per-page fees based on actual duplication costs.
Certified copies carry an additional certification fee set by the Clerk of Court.
Electronic records may be provided at reduced cost where the agency has the capability.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or members of the media upon written request and demonstration of eligibility.
Accepted payment methods at the Clare County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order payable to Clare County.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Clare County

Michigan law provides two primary mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). Expungement results in the setting aside of a conviction or arrest record, effectively removing it from public view, while sealing restricts access without destroying the underlying record.

Under Michigan's Clean Slate Act, codified at MCL § 780.621, eligible individuals may petition the court to set aside qualifying convictions and arrests. The Clean Slate Act, which took effect in 2021, expanded eligibility for expungement and introduced automatic expungement for certain offenses after a waiting period.

Eligibility for Expungement in Michigan:

Arrests that did not result in conviction are eligible for expungement immediately or after a short waiting period.
Misdemeanor convictions are eligible after three years from the date of sentencing or release from custody, whichever is later.
Felony convictions are eligible after seven years from sentencing or release, subject to offense-specific restrictions.
Certain serious offenses, including criminal sexual conduct, life offenses, and traffic offenses causing death or serious injury, are not eligible for expungement.
Automatic expungement applies to certain misdemeanors after seven years and certain felonies after ten years without further criminal activity.

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the arrest or conviction record from the Clare County Clerk of Court or the Michigan State Police.
Confirm eligibility based on offense type, waiting period, and number of prior convictions.
Complete the Application to Set Aside Conviction (form MC 227), available from the Michigan courts.
File the petition with the Clare County Circuit Court and pay the applicable filing fee (currently waived for eligible petitioners under the Clean Slate Act).
Serve copies of the petition on the Michigan Attorney General's Office and the prosecuting attorney's office.
Attend the scheduled hearing before a circuit court judge.
If granted, the court issues an order setting aside the conviction, which is transmitted to the Michigan State Police for record update.

Clare County Circuit Court
225 W. Main St.
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Clare County Circuit Court

Michigan State Police — Expungement Processing
Criminal Justice Information Center
7150 Harris Dr.
Dimondale, MI 48821
Phone: (517) 241-0606
Michigan State Police

What Happens After Arrest in Clare County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Clare County, the arrested individual is transported to the Clare County Jail located at 225 W. Main St., Harrison, MI 48625. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Clare County Jail, the booking process is initiated. This process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume and includes the following steps:

Personal information recorded
Photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted for criminal history check
Outstanding warrants check conducted
Personal property inventoried and stored
Medical and brief mental health screening completed
Housing classification assigned

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Michigan law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate or judge for an initial appearance within 48 hours of arrest. At this hearing, the court formally notifies the individual of the charges, determines bond or bail, advises the individual of their rights, and appoints a public defender if the individual is indigent. Initial appearances in Clare County are conducted at the 80th District Court.

80th District Court
225 W. Main St.
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7106
80th District Court

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash and is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees. The amount is set by the presiding judge or magistrate according to a bond schedule or individualized assessment.

Surety Bond: The individual retains a licensed bail bondsman, pays a non-refundable premium of approximately 10%, and the bondsman posts the full bond amount with the court.

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

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.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, the individual is processed for release within one to eight hours, receives written conditions of release, and is provided with the next scheduled court date. If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody at the Clare County Jail pending further court proceedings.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Clare County Public Defender's Office
225 W. Main St.
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131

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

Charging Decision:

The Clare County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. 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.

Clare County Prosecutor's Office
225 W. Main St.
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7109
Clare County Prosecutor

Arraignment follows the charging decision, at which the defendant enters a formal plea. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are scheduled for pretrial conferences, motion hearings, and trial.

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. Michigan offers diversion programs for eligible defendants, and successful completion results in dismissal of charges.

If convicted, sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. The defendant receives credit for time served in pretrial detention. The right to appeal a conviction is explained at sentencing.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 48 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to several weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Several months, varying by case complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to a few months
Felonies: Resolved within several months to over one year
Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under the Michigan Constitution and applicable court rules

What to Do If Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent
Request an attorney immediately and do not discuss the case with anyone other than counsel
Contact family or friends for assistance with bail
Attend all scheduled court dates
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Clare County?

Records retention in Clare County is governed by Michigan law and the records retention schedules established by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Under Michigan's records management statutes, law enforcement agencies and courts are required to maintain records for specified minimum periods based on record type and case disposition.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions: Arrest and conviction records for felony offenses are retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Court, the Michigan State Police criminal history repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC). These records appear on background checks indefinitely.

Misdemeanor Convictions: Records of misdemeanor convictions are retained permanently by the Clerk of Court and the Michigan State Police. Local law enforcement agencies retain booking records for a minimum period consistent with the state retention schedule.

Dismissed Charges: Arrest records for charges that were dismissed remain in law enforcement and court databases unless the individual obtains an expungement order. These records may not appear on standard employment background checks but remain accessible through official channels.

Acquittals: Court records of acquittals are retained permanently by the Clerk of Court. Local law enforcement booking records are retained for a minimum period and may be eligible for expungement.

Charges Not Filed: Booking records for arrests where no charges were filed are retained for a minimum period by the Sheriff's Office and may be eligible for expungement or administrative removal upon request.

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Digital records maintained in records management systems and court electronic filing systems are retained on a permanent basis in most instances. Physical booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained according to the applicable state retention schedule. Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records are retained for a minimum of two years. Mugshot databases maintained by third-party commercial entities are not controlled by law enforcement and may retain records indefinitely regardless of case outcome.

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office: Booking records and arrest reports are retained for a minimum period consistent with the Michigan records retention schedule. Investigative files are retained based on offense classification and case outcome.

Clerk of Court: Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor case files are retained for a minimum of seven years following case closure. Electronic court records are retained permanently.

Michigan State Police: The criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center include arrest data from all jurisdictions statewide. Retention is permanent for conviction records and subject to expungement orders for non-conviction records.

FBI Database: The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records on a permanent basis. These databases are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide and are used for employment background checks, firearms purchases, and other federally regulated purposes.

Effect of Expungement on Retention:

Following a court-ordered expungement, local law enforcement agencies and the Michigan State Police update their records to reflect the set-aside status. The FBI database may retain a notation of the expungement. Third-party background check companies are required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act to maintain accurate records, but may not update their databases promptly following expungement. The timeframe for removal from third-party databases varies and is not controlled by the expunging court.

Accessing Historical Arrest Records:

Recent arrest records are available online through the MiCOURT Case Search portal and through direct contact with the Sheriff's Office. Older records may require an in-person request at the Clerk of Court or the Sheriff's Records Division and may be subject to retrieval fees and longer processing times. Records predating digitization may exist only in paper form in the county archives.

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Conviction records may be reported indefinitely. Michigan law does not currently impose a statewide "ban the box" requirement on private employers, though certain public employers are subject to restrictions on the timing of criminal history inquiries.

Clare County Sheriff's Office — Records Division
225 W. Main St.
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7166
Clare County Sheriff's Office