Lenawee County Public Records /Lenawee County Criminal Records

Lenawee County Criminal Records

What Is Lenawee County Criminal Records

Lenawee County criminal records are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Lenawee County, Michigan. These records are maintained pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.491, which mandates the preservation of public records by government officials.

Criminal records in Lenawee County encompass several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These records typically contain the date, location, and circumstances of arrest, along with booking information.
Court Records: Official proceedings of the Lenawee County courts, including arraignments, preliminary hearings, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and case dispositions.
Conviction Records: Formal judgments of guilt following either a trial verdict or plea agreement. These records are permanent and generally remain public unless specifically expunged.
Incarceration Records: Documentation of periods of confinement in the Lenawee County Jail or state correctional facilities.

The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records merely indicate that an individual was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records confirm that legal proceedings resulted in a finding of guilt. Under Michigan law, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, regardless of arrest status.

Criminal offenses in Lenawee County are categorized as either felonies or misdemeanors:

Felonies: Serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, typically prosecuted in the Lenawee County Circuit Court.
Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses punishable by up to one year in jail, generally handled by the Lenawee County District Court.

Juvenile records receive special protection under Michigan Court Rule 3.925. Records pertaining to individuals under 17 years of age at the time of the offense are generally sealed from public view, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses or when a juvenile is tried as an adult.

The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Lenawee County include:

Lenawee County Sheriff's Office
405 N Winter St
Adrian, MI 49221
517-263-0524
Lenawee County Sheriff's Office

Lenawee County Circuit Court
425 N Main St
Adrian, MI 49221
517-264-4597
Lenawee County Circuit Court

Lenawee County District Court
425 N Main St
Adrian, MI 49221
517-264-4675
Lenawee County District Court

Michigan State Police
103 Sutton Rd
Adrian, MI 49221
517-263-0020
Michigan State Police

Are Criminal Records Public In Lenawee County

Criminal records in Lenawee County are generally accessible to the public under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically MCL 15.231-15.246. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be disclosed to the public upon request unless specifically exempted by law.

According to MCL 15.231(2): "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, consistent with this act."

While the presumption favors disclosure, certain categories of criminal records in Lenawee County remain restricted from public access:

Active investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure under MCL 15.243(1)(b)(i), which protects information that would "interfere with law enforcement proceedings."
Juvenile records: Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 3.925, records involving minors under 17 years of age are generally sealed, with limited exceptions.
Expunged or sealed records: Records that have been legally expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public access in accordance with Michigan's Clean Slate legislation.
Certain victim information: Details that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, particularly regarding victims of sexual assault or domestic violence, may be redacted under MCL 15.243(1)(a).

Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and basic arrest information are typically available to the public. The Michigan Supreme Court has consistently held that court proceedings and records are presumptively open to the public, as established in Detroit Free Press v. Recorder's Court Judge.

Law enforcement agencies in Lenawee County maintain public-facing resources such as the county jail roster and sex offender registry in accordance with state transparency requirements. Court records, including case filings, hearing schedules, and judgments, are accessible through the Lenawee County courts, subject to applicable privacy restrictions.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Lenawee County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Lenawee County may utilize several established methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information and requiring specific procedures.

For in-person requests at the Lenawee County Courthouse:

Visit the Lenawee County Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Complete a public records request form, specifying the information sought and providing identifying information about the subject.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable search and copy fees as established by the county fee schedule.
Allow processing time, which varies based on the complexity and age of the requested records.

Lenawee County Clerk's Office
301 N Main St
Adrian, MI 49221
517-264-4599
Lenawee County Clerk

For criminal case records specifically:

Contact the appropriate court based on the case type:
- Felony cases: Lenawee County Circuit Court
- Misdemeanor cases: Lenawee County District Court
- Juvenile cases: Lenawee County Probate Court (access restrictions apply)
Provide the case number if known, or the defendant's full name and date of birth.
Specify the documents requested (e.g., charging documents, sentencing orders, case disposition).
Pay the established fees for record searches and copies.

For law enforcement records:

Submit a written request to the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office Records Division.
Complete the department's public records request form, available at the office or downloadable from the county website.
Include specific information about the incident or individual, such as names, dates, and locations.
Allow 5-10 business days for processing, as required by Michigan FOIA.

Mail requests are accepted at all agencies. Written requests should include:

Requestor's complete contact information
Specific records being sought
Subject's full legal name and date of birth (if known)
Approximate date range for the records
Self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery
Payment for applicable fees (call ahead to confirm amount)

Pursuant to Michigan FOIA, agencies must respond to requests within 5 business days, though they may extend this period by an additional 10 business days if necessary.

How To Find Criminal Records in Lenawee County Online?

Lenawee County provides several digital platforms for accessing criminal records information online. These resources offer varying levels of detail and cover different aspects of the criminal justice system.

The primary online portal for court records is the Michigan Courts Case Search, which includes Lenawee County cases. This system allows users to:

Search by defendant name or case number
View case status, scheduled hearings, and parties involved
Access register of actions showing chronological case events
Review judgment information and case disposition

To use this system effectively:

Navigate to the Michigan Courts Case Search website
Select Lenawee County from the jurisdiction dropdown
Enter search criteria (last name, first name)
Review search results and select specific cases for detailed information

The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office maintains an Inmate Lookup system that provides:

Current jail population information
Booking photos and physical descriptions
Charges and bond amounts
Scheduled release dates (when available)
Custody status updates

For sex offender registration information, the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry includes Lenawee County registrants and offers:

Offender photographs and physical descriptions
Registered addresses and compliance status
Conviction information and registration requirements
Mapping features to search by geographic area

The Michigan State Police provides the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which allows users to obtain official criminal history records for a fee. This system:

Requires user registration and payment
Provides conviction information from across Michigan
Includes felony and serious misdemeanor cases
Requires subject name and date of birth for searching

For court scheduling information, the Lenawee County Courts website publishes:

Daily court dockets
Judge assignments
Hearing schedules
Courtroom locations

Users should note that online systems may not contain complete criminal history information. Certain records, particularly older cases or those that have been sealed or expunged, may require in-person requests. Additionally, online access to some detailed case documents may be limited due to privacy considerations or technical constraints.

Can You Search Lenawee County Criminal Records for Free?

Lenawee County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without payment, though certain limitations apply to free searches. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.233(2)) establishes the right to inspect public records without charge during normal business hours.

Free in-person inspection is available at:

Lenawee County Clerk's Office
301 N Main St
Adrian, MI 49221
517-264-4599
Lenawee County Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Lenawee County Circuit Court
425 N Main St
Adrian, MI 49221
517-264-4597
Lenawee County Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Lenawee County District Court
425 N Main St
Adrian, MI 49221
517-264-4675
Lenawee County District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

When conducting free in-person searches, visitors may:

Review public case files under staff supervision
Take handwritten notes from records
Use personal devices to photograph non-restricted documents (policies vary by department)

Several online resources provide free access to limited criminal record information:

The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup provides current jail population information at no cost.
The Michigan Courts Case Search offers basic case information for Lenawee County courts without charge.
The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry provides free access to registered sex offender information in Lenawee County.
The Lenawee County Courts website publishes court calendars and dockets at no cost.

While inspection is free, fees may apply for:

Printed copies of records (typically $0.10-$1.00 per page)
Certified copies of court documents ($10-$15 per document)
Records requiring extensive search or retrieval time
Electronic copies provided on physical media
Specialized reports or compilations

According to MCL 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records, but these fees must be limited to actual costs of labor, duplication, and mailing. Fee waivers or reductions may be available for indigent requesters or those acting in the public interest, as determined by the record custodian.

What's Included in a Lenawee County Criminal Record?

Lenawee County criminal records typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records are structured to provide a complete overview of criminal proceedings from arrest through final disposition.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of offense
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Last known address
State Identification (SID) number
FBI number (if applicable)
Driver's license number

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and processing details
Initial charges filed by law enforcement
Bail or bond amount and status
Detention facility information
Arresting agency incident report number

Court Case Information:

Court case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction (Circuit or District)
Judge assignment
Formal charges filed by prosecutor with Michigan statute citations
Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
Plea information and date
Defense attorney information
Prosecutor assignment
Hearing dates and proceedings
Witness information (may be redacted in public versions)

Disposition and Sentencing:

Verdict or plea outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Dismissed or reduced charges
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms (jail or prison)
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, court costs, and restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or program mandates
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants or pending charges
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
Habitual offender status
Prior criminal history references
Driving-related offenses (DUI/OWI)
Probation or parole conditions
Post-conviction relief petitions
Expungement or record sealing information

The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary based on the age of the case, the maintaining agency, and applicable retention schedules. Records from the digital era (approximately post-2000) tend to be more complete and accessible than older paper records, which may have been archived or destroyed according to retention policies.

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of criminal records, including:

Social Security numbers
Financial account information
Victim identifying information in certain cases
Medical or mental health details
Information about minors
Confidential informant details

How Long Does Lenawee County Keep Criminal Records?

Lenawee County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Michigan Records Management Services and governed by MCL 750.491, which mandates the preservation of public records. These schedules vary by record type and maintaining agency.

The Lenawee County Circuit and District Courts adhere to the Michigan Trial Court Records Management Standards, which prescribe the following retention periods:

Felony Case Files: Retained for 50 years after case closure for serious offenses (murder, criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping); 20 years for other felonies
Misdemeanor Case Files: Maintained for 10 years after case closure
Traffic Violations: Kept for 7 years after case closure
Juvenile Delinquency Records: Retained until subject reaches age 30, unless expunged earlier
Court Judgments and Sentencing Orders: Preserved permanently as part of the Register of Actions
Probation Records: Maintained for 10 years after discharge from probation
Court Recordings and Transcripts: Preserved for 10 years for felonies; 7 years for misdemeanors

The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office follows the Local Government General Schedule, which establishes:

Arrest Records: Maintained for 7 years after the date of arrest
Booking Photos and Fingerprints: Retained permanently
Incident Reports: Kept for 7 years after the incident date
Jail Records: Preserved for 7 years after release from incarceration
Sex Offender Registration Information: Maintained according to tier classification (Tier I: 15 years, Tier II: 25 years, Tier III: lifetime)
Warrant Information: Retained until executed or recalled, plus 7 years

Criminal history information maintained by the Michigan State Police through the Criminal Justice Information Center is generally retained permanently, though non-conviction data may be subject to earlier purging under certain circumstances.

It is important to note that even after physical or electronic records are destroyed according to retention schedules, basic case information often remains permanently in court indices and registers of action. Additionally, private background check companies may maintain copies of public records indefinitely, even after official government records have been destroyed or expunged.

Expungement (also called "setting aside a conviction") under Michigan's Clean Slate legislation creates an exception to these retention schedules. When a court grants an expungement, records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement and certain government agencies for limited purposes.