Search Sterling Heights Booking Releases
Sterling Heights booking releases are public records created when someone is arrested in the city and processed through the Sterling Heights Police Department. After initial booking, most people are transferred to the Macomb County Jail, where custody and release records are maintained. This page explains how the booking process works, where to find current inmate information, how to use Michigan FOIA to get records, and what other tools are available for locating someone arrested in Sterling Heights.
Sterling Heights Overview
How Booking Releases Work in Sterling Heights
When police make an arrest in Sterling Heights, the person is taken to the Sterling Heights Police Department for processing. Officers collect identifying information, record the charges, take fingerprints, and create a booking record. That record documents the arrest and becomes part of the official case file. It is subject to public access under Michigan law once the investigation allows it.
After the booking step at the police station, the person is typically transferred to the Macomb County Jail. Sterling Heights does not run its own long-term detention facility. The Macomb County Sheriff takes over custody at that point. Release from custody can happen in several ways: bond payment, own-recognizance release ordered by a judge at arraignment, or dismissal of charges. When any of those events occur, a booking release record is created documenting when and how the person left custody. That release record, along with the original booking information, forms the booking release you can request or look up.
These records are public in Michigan. Anyone can request them. Fees may apply, but access is not limited to lawyers or parties to the case.
Sterling Heights Police Department
The Sterling Heights Police Department handles all arrests and booking records originating in the city. The Records Bureau is the right contact for copies of arrest reports, incident reports, and booking records. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call the Records Bureau directly at 586-446-2900 for questions about a specific record or to check on a request you already submitted.
The Sterling Heights Police Department site lists records services, contact numbers, and how to reach the right division for your request. Review it before calling or submitting a FOIA request to make sure you are going to the right office.
| Address | 40333 Dodge Park Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Front Desk | 586-446-2801 |
| Records Bureau | 586-446-2900 |
| Non-Emergency | 586-446-2800 |
| FOIA Portal | cityofsterlingheightsmipd.nextrequest.com |
The Records Bureau handles accident reports, incident reports, FOIA requests, and fingerprinting by appointment. The online FOIA portal at cityofsterlingheightsmipd.nextrequest.com lets you submit requests, track their status, and communicate with the FOIA coordinator. Using the portal is the easiest way to manage a records request from start to finish.
Macomb County Jail Booking Records
After processing at the Sterling Heights Police Department, arrested individuals are transferred to the Macomb County Jail. The Macomb County Sheriff runs the facility and maintains all county-level booking and release records. For current inmate status, bond amounts, and release information, the sheriff's office is the right contact. Sterling Heights residents account for a significant share of Macomb County's population, so the jail handles a large volume of city arrests.
Jail information is available through the Macomb County Sheriff's Office website. You can look up whether someone is in custody, review their bond status, find out when they were booked, and learn about visitation and commissary options. The online inmate search is free. If you need more detail, the jail division can answer questions directly through the contact information on the site.
Note: Booking records at the county jail are separate from records held at the Sterling Heights Police Department. If you need a full picture of an arrest, you may need to contact both offices.
Requesting Booking Releases via FOIA
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, at MCL 15.231, gives the public the right to ask for government records including police booking records and arrest reports. Both the Sterling Heights Police Department and the Macomb County Sheriff's Office are subject to this law. You can submit a request to either or both depending on which records you need.
For Sterling Heights Police records, use the online portal at cityofsterlingheightsmipd.nextrequest.com, call the Records Bureau at 586-446-2900, or visit the department in person. Your request should describe the incident, the person's full name, and the approximate date of arrest. The more detail you give, the faster the agency can find the record.
The FOIA portal shown above lets you track your request and receive updates through the system. Once you submit, you get a confirmation and can log in to check status. Under MCL 15.234, the department has 5 business days to respond. They can extend by up to 10 more days for complex requests, but must send written notice. Fees cover labor, copying, and postage. If you receive public assistance or have financial hardship, you can file an Affidavit of Indigency to waive up to $20 of the processing fee.
Some records may be withheld under MCL 15.243. These include records tied to active investigations, details about confidential informants, and personal information that would clearly invade someone's privacy. When a record is partially withheld, the agency must release the rest and give a written explanation of what was held back and why. You can appeal a denial to the city's chief administrative officer or in circuit court.
OTIS and State Records
When someone convicted after a Sterling Heights arrest receives a state prison sentence, they leave the Macomb County Jail and enter the Michigan Department of Corrections system. At that point, use the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) to find them. OTIS is a free tool that covers current state prisoners, parolees, MDOC-supervised probationers, and people discharged within the last three years.
OTIS does not show county jail inmates. If the person is still in the Macomb County Jail awaiting trial or serving a short sentence, they will not appear in OTIS. Use the Macomb County Sheriff's inmate search for pre-trial and short-sentence cases. Use OTIS only when you believe someone has entered the state prison system. You can search by last name. The system is free and available to the public at any time.
VINELink Custody Notifications
VINELink is a free nationwide victim notification service. It works with most Michigan county jails and all MDOC facilities. You can search by name, case number, or inmate ID. The tool runs around the clock and shows current custody status without requiring a call to the jail. Macomb County participates, so current Sterling Heights inmates in county custody are searchable there.
Beyond basic search, VINELink lets you register for automatic alerts. When someone's status changes, such as a release, transfer, or court date, the system sends a phone call, email, or text message. This is useful when you need ongoing updates without checking the site repeatedly. Registration is free and available to anyone, not just crime victims. Multiple cases can be tracked at the same time.
Additional Resources
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system covers public criminal history records from all 83 Michigan counties. It shows felony convictions and serious misdemeanors. You search by name and date of birth. A fee applies per search. ICHAT does not show arrests without convictions. For the original booking details, a FOIA request to the Sterling Heights Police Department is still needed.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides covering criminal records, the FOIA process, and how Michigan booking and release procedures work. Legal aid organizations in Macomb County can help low-income residents with criminal record questions. The State Bar of Michigan provides a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney for more complex matters.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities are also in Macomb County. Arrests in these areas go through the same Macomb County Sheriff and jail system as Sterling Heights.