Kent County Criminal Records
What Is Kent County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Kent County, Michigan, are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies across the county and state, each responsible for a distinct segment of the criminal justice process.
Key distinctions among record types include the following:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that a person was taken into custody by law enforcement, while a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses punishable by more than one year of incarceration in a state facility; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties, typically up to one year in a county jail.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public under Michigan law. Juvenile adjudication records are typically sealed and protected from public disclosure under MCL § 712A.28.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past charges, proceedings, and outcomes.
Agencies responsible for maintaining Kent County criminal records include:
- Kent County Sheriff's Office – maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records
- 17th Circuit Court – handles felony cases and maintains case files, dispositions, and sentencing records
- Kent County District Courts – manage misdemeanor and ordinance violation cases
- Michigan State Police – maintains the statewide criminal history repository through the Criminal Justice Information Center
Records typically contain charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, sentencing details, and probation or parole conditions.
Kent County Sheriff's Office 701 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 632-6100 Kent County Sheriff's Office
17th Circuit Court 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 632-5480 17th Circuit Court
Are Criminal Records Public In Kent County
Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., public records held by state and local government agencies are presumptively open to inspection and copying by any member of the public. Criminal records maintained by Kent County courts and law enforcement agencies are subject to this statute.
Records that are generally available to the public include:
- Adult conviction records
- Court case filings, dockets, and dispositions
- Sentencing information
- Arrest logs and booking records
Records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Sealed court records ordered closed by a judge
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are protected under state statute
- Records expunged pursuant to Michigan's Clean Slate Act
Michigan's expungement statute, MCL § 780.621, permits eligible individuals to petition for the setting aside of certain convictions, after which those records are no longer accessible through standard public channels. Requestors should be aware that even publicly available records may contain redactions to protect personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Kent County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Kent County may access them through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
To obtain court records from the 17th Circuit Court or District Courts:
- Visit the court clerk's office in person during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and submit a written request identifying the subject by full name and date of birth.
- Submit a written FOIA request by mail or in person to the court's FOIA Coordinator at 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
- Use the Michigan Courts' online case search portal to locate publicly available case information.
To obtain arrest or booking records from the Kent County Sheriff's Office:
- Submit a FOIA request in writing to the Sheriff's Office FOIA Coordinator at 701 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
- Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email as directed on the agency's official website.
- The agency is required to respond within five business days under MCL § 15.235.
To obtain a Michigan criminal history record:
- Submit a request to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC) for a statewide background check.
- Individuals requesting their own record must submit fingerprints and a completed request form with the applicable fee.
Michigan State Police – Criminal Justice Information Center 7150 Harris Dr, Dimondale, MI 48821 (517) 241-0606 Michigan State Police CJIC
How To Find Criminal Records in Kent County Online
Several online portals provide access to Kent County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
Michigan Courts Case Search (Odyssey): The Michigan Courts Case Search portal allows members of the public to search for circuit and district court case information by name, case number, or date of birth. The portal contains case filings, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions for cases processed through the Michigan court system. No registration is required to conduct a basic search.
Kent County Jail Roster: The Kent County Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail inmate roster on its official website. This roster reflects individuals currently held in the Kent County Correctional Facility and includes booking date, charges, and bond information. The roster is updated regularly and is available at no cost.
Michigan Sex Offender Registry: The Michigan State Police maintains the Michigan Sex Offender Registry, which is searchable by name, zip code, or county. This registry contains registration information for individuals convicted of qualifying sex offenses.
VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday): The VINE system allows members of the public and crime victims to search for offender custody status and receive automated notifications regarding changes in custody.
Records available exclusively through in-person requests include sealed case files, certain pre-trial documents, and historical records predating electronic filing systems.
Can You Search Kent County Criminal Records for Free
Michigan law does not require agencies to provide copies of public records at no charge; however, inspection of records in person is generally available without a fee. Under MCL § 15.234, agencies may charge a fee for copying records but must allow inspection free of charge.
Free resources currently available to the public include:
- Michigan Courts Case Search – free online access to court case information at micourt.courts.michigan.gov
- Kent County Jail Roster – free online search of current inmates at the Kent County Sheriff's Office website
- Michigan Sex Offender Registry – free public search through the Michigan State Police
- In-person inspection at the 17th Circuit Court Clerk's Office or District Court clerk's offices during regular business hours
Fees apply when requesting certified copies, paper reproductions, or records requiring staff research time. The Kent County Clerk's Office publishes a current fee schedule on its official website.
Kent County Clerk's Office 300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 632-7640 Kent County Clerk's Office
What's Included in a Kent County Criminal Record
A complete criminal record in Kent County may contain several categories of information depending on the nature of the case and the agency maintaining the record.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number and FBI number
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Jail facility where held
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court jurisdiction
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges and applicable statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Attorney of record
Disposition:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details, including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision
- Appeals filed or pending
- Probation or parole terms
Additional Record Elements:
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or personal protection orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/OWI convictions and traffic-related offenses
- Pending charges or open cases
How Long Does Kent County Keep Criminal Records
Retention periods for criminal records in Kent County are governed by Michigan law and the records retention schedules established by the State of Michigan. The Michigan Records Management Services publishes approved retention schedules applicable to local government agencies.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
- Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the Michigan State Police and the courts
- Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of seven years; many are retained permanently
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum of three years; subject to expungement petition
- Juvenile records: Retained until the subject reaches age 30 unless sealed earlier by court order
- Court case files (felony): Retained permanently under Michigan Court Rules
- Court case files (misdemeanor): Retained for a minimum of seven years
- Jail booking records: Retained for a minimum of three years
Agencies are required to follow the Michigan Local Records Act, MCL § 399.811, which governs the management, retention, and disposal of public records at the local level. Records subject to active litigation, appeals, or pending expungement petitions must be retained until all proceedings are concluded regardless of standard retention schedules.