Livingston County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Livingston County
Arrest records in Livingston County, Michigan, are generally accessible to members of the public under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq. This statute establishes that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them. Under current law, arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies — including the Livingston County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments — are considered public records subject to disclosure upon written request, unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Michigan law recognizes this distinction, and individuals who are arrested but not convicted may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged under certain conditions. The Michigan State Police maintains statewide criminal history records and serves as the central repository for both arrest and conviction data in Michigan.
Livingston County Sheriff's Office 150 S. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843 (517) 546-2440 Livingston County Sheriff's Office
What's in Livingston County Arrest Records
Livingston County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and updated as a case progresses through the criminal justice system.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, hair color, and eye color
- Race and gender
- Last known residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Brighton Police Department, Michigan State Police)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed, including statute references
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or civil infraction)
- Offense description and Michigan Penal Code citation
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of originating warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned at the Livingston County Jail
- Date and time of booking
- Booking facility location
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (personal recognizance, cash, surety)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted, pending, forfeited)
Court Information:
- Assigned court and case number
- Scheduled arraignment or hearing dates
- Presiding judge or magistrate
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Release date and conditions of release if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Fingerprint classification codes
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Prior arrest history as reflected in the statewide criminal history database
- Probation or parole status at time of arrest
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Livingston County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain arrest records from Livingston County through several official channels. The process varies depending on the arresting agency and the type of record sought.
Step 1 – Identify the Arresting Agency. Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest. Arrests in Livingston County may be made by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, the Michigan State Police Brighton Post, or any of the county's municipal police departments, including the Brighton Police Department or Howell Police Department.
Step 2 – Submit a FOIA Request. Under MCL § 15.235, a written FOIA request must be submitted to the public body that holds the record. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically where the agency provides an online portal. Each agency maintains its own FOIA Coordinator.
Step 3 – Provide Required Information. Requestors should include the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any known case or booking number to facilitate record retrieval.
Step 4 – Pay Applicable Fees. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, duplication, and mailing costs. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or those acting in the public interest.
Step 5 – Await Agency Response. Under current law, the responding agency must acknowledge the request within five business days and provide a final response within the statutory timeframe.
Livingston County Sheriff's Office – Records Division 150 S. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843 (517) 546-2440 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Livingston County Sheriff's Office
Michigan State Police – Brighton Post 4337 Buno Road, Brighton, MI 48116 (810) 227-1051 Michigan State Police
How To Find Livingston County Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms currently provide access to Livingston County arrest-related information without requiring an in-person visit.
The Michigan State Police FOIA request portal allows members of the public to submit requests for traffic crash reports and other law enforcement records electronically. For statewide criminal history data, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) — administered by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center — enables public searches of criminal history record information maintained at the state level. ICHAT returns conviction data and certain arrest information for individuals with a Michigan criminal history.
The Livingston County Circuit Court maintains an online case search tool through the Michigan Courts' public access portal, which allows users to search for case filings, charges, and dispositions by name or case number. The Livingston County Clerk's Office also provides access to court records that may reflect arrest-related charges.
Livingston County Clerk's Office 200 E. Grand River Ave., Howell, MI 48843 (517) 546-0500 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Livingston County Clerk's Office
How To Search Livingston County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain Livingston County arrest records at no cost through the following methods.
The ICHAT database operated by the Michigan State Police provides free public access to criminal history record information for individuals with a Michigan record. Users may search by name and date of birth. This tool returns publicly available conviction and arrest data without charge.
The Michigan Courts Case Search portal, available through the State Court Administrative Office, allows free name-based searches of court case records, including criminal cases originating from arrests in Livingston County. This resource reflects charges filed, case status, and dispositions.
Members of the public may also visit the Livingston County Sheriff's Office Records Division or the Livingston County Clerk's Office in person during regular business hours to inspect public records at no cost, though fees may apply for printed copies. Pursuant to MCL § 15.234, a public body may charge a fee for duplication but may not charge for the inspection of public records.
The Brighton Police Department provides information regarding arrests and bookings at the Livingston County Jail. As noted in the City of Brighton Police FAQ, persons arrested by the Brighton Police Department are held only temporarily at the police department before being lodged at the Livingston County Jail, where booking records are maintained.
Brighton Police Department 200 N. First St., Brighton, MI 48116 (810) 227-1333 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Brighton Police Department
How To Delete Arrest Records in Livingston County
Michigan law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). These are distinct legal remedies. Expungement results in the removal of a record from public view and, in many cases, from law enforcement databases. Sealing restricts access to a record without fully destroying it, meaning certain authorized agencies may still view the record.
Under the Michigan Clean Slate Act, which significantly expanded expungement eligibility effective April 2021, individuals may petition for the expungement of certain arrest records, including arrests that did not result in conviction. Pursuant to MCL § 780.621, a person may apply to set aside a conviction or arrest record under qualifying circumstances.
Circumstances Under Which an Arrest Record May Be Expunged:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction and the charge was dismissed
- The individual was acquitted at trial
- The conviction meets the eligibility criteria under the Clean Slate Act (e.g., sufficient time has elapsed, no disqualifying offenses)
- Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after a waiting period
Steps to Petition for Expungement:
- Obtain a certified copy of the arrest or conviction record from the Livingston County Clerk's Office
- Complete the Michigan Application to Set Aside Conviction (form MC 227)
- File the petition with the Livingston County Circuit Court
- Serve copies on the Michigan Attorney General, the prosecuting attorney, and the arresting agency
- Attend the scheduled hearing before the circuit court judge
Livingston County Circuit Court 204 S. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843 (517) 546-3750 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Livingston County Circuit Court
What Happens After Arrest in Livingston County?
The criminal justice process in Livingston County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
Upon arrest, the individual is transported to the Livingston County Jail for booking. During booking, identifying information is recorded, fingerprints and photographs are taken, and charges are formally entered into the system. The individual is then held pending arraignment or released on bond.
At arraignment, which typically occurs within 24 to 48 hours of arrest, the defendant appears before a district court judge or magistrate, is formally advised of the charges, and bond conditions are set. The Livingston County 53rd District Court handles arraignments and preliminary examinations for felony cases, while misdemeanor cases may proceed to trial at the district court level.
Felony cases are bound over to the Livingston County Circuit Court following a preliminary examination. At the circuit court level, the defendant enters a plea, and the case proceeds to pretrial conferences, potential plea negotiations, or trial. Upon conviction, sentencing is conducted by the circuit court judge in accordance with Michigan sentencing guidelines.
Livingston County 53rd District Court 204 S. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843 (517) 546-3750 53rd District Court
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Livingston County?
Arrest records in Livingston County are subject to retention schedules established under Michigan law and applicable administrative rules. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget publishes records retention and disposal schedules that govern how long law enforcement agencies must maintain arrest-related documentation.
Under current Michigan law, law enforcement agencies are generally required to retain arrest records for a minimum period tied to the nature of the offense and the outcome of the case. Records associated with felony arrests are typically retained for longer periods than those related to misdemeanor arrests. Agencies must comply with the General Schedule for Law Enforcement Records issued by the State of Michigan.
Key principles governing retention in Livingston County include:
- Retention periods mandated by state law — The Michigan Records Management Services establishes minimum retention periods; agencies may not dispose of records before the mandated period expires
- Different agencies have different requirements — The Livingston County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and the circuit court each maintain separate records with distinct retention schedules
- Records retention preserves evidence and accountability — Retained records support ongoing investigations, appeals, civil litigation, and public accountability functions
Records that have been expunged under MCL § 780.621 are removed from public access but may be retained in restricted law enforcement databases for authorized purposes.
How to Find Mugshots in Livingston County
What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized booking photograph taken by law enforcement at the time an individual is processed into custody. Mugshots are taken as part of the booking procedure at the Livingston County Jail and are associated with the individual's arrest record.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots are maintained by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office as part of the official booking record. The Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center also retains booking photographs as part of the statewide criminal history record system.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public seeking a mugshot from a Livingston County arrest may submit a FOIA request to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office Records Division. The request should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest or booking number if known.
Can They Be Found Online At present, the Livingston County Sheriff's Office does not maintain a publicly accessible online mugshot database. Statewide criminal history records accessible through the Michigan State Police criminal history records portal may include associated booking photographs in certain cases, though availability varies.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official copies of booking photographs may be obtained through a written FOIA request submitted to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office. Fees for duplication apply in accordance with the agency's published fee schedule.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Mugshots associated with juvenile arrests are not subject to public disclosure under Michigan law. Additionally, if an arrest record has been expunged, the associated booking photograph is removed from public access. Michigan does not currently have a statute specifically regulating the commercial republication of mugshots, though federal and state privacy considerations may apply in certain circumstances.