Leelanau County Recent Arrests
Leelanau County recent arrests are handled by the sheriff's office at the Government Center in Suttons Bay. This small county on the Leelanau Peninsula in northwest Michigan sees fewer arrests than most, but all booking data still flows into the statewide Michigan system. You can search for recent arrests through state databases or contact the sheriff's office directly. Court records from the 13th Circuit and 86th District Court are available through MiCOURT. Looking up arrest records in Leelanau County takes just a few minutes using the right tools.
Leelanau County Overview
Leelanau County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the entire county. It is located at 8525 E. Government Center Drive in Suttons Bay. All arrests in Leelanau County are booked through this office. Deputies file reports with the charges, booking date, and details about the person arrested. Under MCL § 28.242, arrest data must be reported to the Michigan State Police within 72 hours.
| Agency | Leelanau County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 8525 E. Government Center Dr, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 |
| Phone | (231) 256-8800 |
| Records Access | FOIA request, phone, or in-person |
Leelanau County does not maintain a public online jail roster. The county is too small for that kind of system. To check on recent bookings, your options are to call the sheriff's office or stop by in person. You can also submit a FOIA request under MCL § 15.231 for specific arrest records. Include the person's name and approximate dates. Response time is five business days. Copy fees are standard at around $0.10 per page.
During summer months, Leelanau County sees more activity due to tourism. Arrest numbers can be higher from May through September compared to the rest of the year.
Leelanau County Court Case Search
Criminal cases in Leelanau County are processed by the 13th Circuit Court and the 86th District Court. Both courts are at 6057 W. Government Center Drive in Suttons Bay. Felonies go to circuit court. Misdemeanors and arraignments go to district court. The MiCOURT case search portal lets you look up Leelanau County court records online by name, case number, or date.
| Courts | 13th Circuit Court / 86th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 6057 W. Government Center Dr, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 |
| Phone | (231) 256-9824 |
| Online Access | MiCOURT Case Search |
Michigan court records are public under MCL § 600.1420. Most case files are open to anyone. Sealed and juvenile records are not available. The clerk's office at the Government Center can help if you need documents that are not on MiCOURT. In-person visits are an option during business hours.
Search Leelanau County Recent Arrests Online
The statewide databases give you several ways to find Leelanau County arrest records from home. The ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police costs $10 per search and covers all 83 counties. It returns felony and serious misdemeanor convictions. You need a full name and date of birth to run the search. Results are kept for seven days.
The OTIS offender search is free and shows people in state prison, on parole, or discharged within three years. If someone arrested in Leelanau County was sentenced to state prison, OTIS will have their information. You can search by name or MDOC number. The VINELink system sends free custody alerts by phone, email, or text when an offender's status changes.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is free and lets you search for registered offenders in Leelanau County by name or zip code. The Michigan State Police maintain this database.
Note: ICHAT only returns convictions, not pending charges or arrests without a conviction.
Leelanau County Arrests and Public Access
Michigan's FOIA provides the public with access to arrest records from the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office. You can request booking logs, arrest reports, and related documents. The law presumes all records are open unless a specific exemption applies. Exemptions cover active investigations and information that could affect a fair trial. Most standard arrest records from Leelanau County are released without difficulty.
Under MCL § 28.243, arrest records may be removed if charges are dismissed. Michigan's Clean Slate law (MCL § 780.621) allows automatic expungement for qualifying convictions. The mugshot removal law under MCL § 445.1883 prevents commercial sites from charging to remove booking photos. These protections apply equally in Leelanau County.
Recent Arrests and Criminal History in Leelanau County
Recent arrest records cover the immediate booking data from custody. Criminal history reports compile all convictions over time. The Michigan State Police maintain the central repository, and Leelanau County sends all arrest data there. Use ICHAT for criminal history and OTIS for current custody checks.
If you need help understanding Leelanau County arrest records or the court process, Michigan Legal Help has free guides on expungement, records requests, and court documents. The Michigan Courts website has forms and procedural info. Both are free and cover Leelanau County cases.
Leelanau County Search Tools
The main databases for searching Leelanau County recent arrests include these tools:
- ICHAT ($10) for criminal history from all Michigan counties
- OTIS (free) for offenders in state custody
- MiCOURT (free) for court case records
- VINELink (free) for custody alerts
- Sex Offender Registry (free) for registered offenders
The screenshot below shows the VINELink victim notification system, which lets you track custody status for offenders in Leelanau County and statewide.
The VINELink notification system sends alerts about Leelanau County offender status changes.
VINELink is free and works for offenders held at county or state facilities across Michigan.
Nearby Counties
Leelanau County is on the Leelanau Peninsula in northwest Michigan. Search arrest records in neighboring areas.