Dearborn Booking Releases

Dearborn booking releases and police arrest records are maintained by the Dearborn Police Department and accessible through the Wayne County jail system. When Dearborn police make an arrest, booking records are created and subject to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. This page explains how to request Dearborn police records, how to use the city's FOIA process, and how to locate someone held at Wayne County facilities after an arrest in Dearborn.

Dearborn Police Reports and Records

Dearborn provides access to police reports and booking records through the city's police and fire records page. The page at dearborn.gov describes the types of records available and how to request them. Services include police reports, court date booking through the 19th District Court, and FOIA requests. The Dearborn Admin Center is at 16901 Michigan Ave, Dearborn MI 48126, with hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The police records page shown above is where you start when looking for Dearborn arrest or booking records. Take note of the 19th District Court link as well. That court handles criminal cases from Dearborn, so booking records and court records are closely tied. The Admin Center phone number is 311 or 313-943-2150 if you need to call before visiting or submitting a request.

Dearborn FOIA Requests for Arrest Records

Dearborn handles FOIA requests for police booking records through the city's formal FOIA process. The FOIA page is at dearborn.gov. Michigan's FOIA law, MCL 15.231, establishes the public's right to access these records. The city must respond within 5 business days and can extend by up to 10 more days for complex requests with written notice.

The FOIA page shown above outlines submission options and what to include. When requesting Dearborn booking or arrest records, include the date of the incident, the time if known, the address where it happened, and the names of the individuals involved. This information is required for the city to locate the record. Without it, the FOIA coordinator may not be able to find what you are looking for and can deny the request on that basis.

Fees apply under MCL 15.234. The city charges for labor, duplication, and mailing costs. If the estimate exceeds $50, you may need to pay a deposit before the work starts. People who receive public assistance or can show financial hardship can submit an Affidavit of Indigency with their request to waive up to $20 of the processing fee, up to twice per calendar year.

What Dearborn Booking Records Contain

A Dearborn arrest record typically includes the name and basic identifying information of the person arrested, the date and time of booking, the charges listed at the time of arrest, the arresting officer, and a narrative describing the incident. Incident reports attached to the booking cover what police observed and the chain of events. Dash-cam video and 911 audio may also be available through FOIA, depending on the case.

Most arrest records for closed cases are accessible. Exemptions under MCL 15.243 allow the city to withhold records tied to ongoing investigations, identity of confidential informants, and information that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. If part of a record is exempt, the city must release everything else and explain the withholding in writing. Requesters can challenge denials by appealing to the city or through the circuit court system.

Dearborn also runs the 19th District Court for local criminal matters. If someone was arrested and arraigned in Dearborn, the court records become a separate but related public record. Court filings, case numbers, and disposition records are maintained through the 19th District Court system and can provide additional context beyond the booking record itself.

Contacting Dearborn City Services

For general inquiries before submitting a FOIA request, the Dearborn contact page at dearborn.gov/contactus provides multiple ways to reach city departments. You can contact specific offices, ask about the status of a request, or get clarification on what types of records a particular department maintains.

The contact page shown above is useful when you are not sure which department handles the record you need. The Admin Center at 16901 Michigan Ave is open weekdays. You can call 311 (local) or 313-943-2150 for general assistance. Having the right contact before you submit saves time and helps you get a faster response.

Wayne County Jail: Where Dearborn Arrestees Go

After an arrest in Dearborn, the person is typically transferred to Wayne County facilities. Dearborn is in Wayne County, so the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center handles booking and custody after city police complete their initial arrest processing. Wayne County runs the largest jail population in Michigan, and Dearborn contributes a significant share of that intake.

The Wayne County inmate search is at sheriffconnect.com. You can search by name to find current inmates, check bond amounts, and see release status. The search is free. If you need to speak with the jail directly, Jail Division I is at (313) 224-0797, Division II at (313) 224-2247, and Division III at (313) 224-2222.

VINELink covers Wayne County jail facilities. Search at vinelink.com by name or ID number to check custody status and sign up for automated alerts when a person's status changes. This is faster than calling the jail when you just need a status check.

Michigan OTIS for State Prison Records

When someone convicted after a Dearborn arrest is sentenced to state prison, they are transferred out of Wayne County custody. Find them through the Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS system at mdocweb.state.mi.us. OTIS covers current state prisoners, parolees, and MDOC-supervised probationers, plus discharges from the past three years. Search is free. You only need a last name or MDOC number.

OTIS does not show county jail inmates. If you are not sure whether someone is in county or state custody, check both the Wayne County inmate search and OTIS. They are separate systems with no shared database.

ICHAT for Dearborn Criminal History Records

Michigan State Police ICHAT is at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat. It covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties, including Wayne. Search by full name and date of birth. A fee applies. ICHAT only shows convictions. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction do not appear. Use it alongside a Dearborn FOIA request if you need both the original booking record and a conviction history check.

Wayne County Jail and Booking Records

Dearborn arrests are processed through the Wayne County jail system. The Wayne County Sheriff handles all inmate booking, custody, and releases for Dearborn and other Wayne County cities. For county-level booking records, inmate lookup, and FOIA procedures, visit the Wayne County page.

Nearby Cities

These nearby qualifying cities also have police booking records and FOIA processes in the Wayne County area.