Berrien County Public Records /Berrien County Criminal Records

Berrien County Criminal Records

What Is Berrien County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Berrien County, Michigan encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231, which establishes the framework for public records maintenance and access.

Criminal records are categorized by several distinct classifications:

Arrest Records vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement but do not indicate guilt. Conviction records confirm that a court has found an individual guilty of a criminal offense.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies represent more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe offenses typically punishable by up to one year in jail.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Adult criminal records (18 and older) are generally public, while juvenile records (under 18) are typically sealed and confidential under Michigan Compiled Laws § 712A.28.
Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.

Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Berrien County:

Berrien County Sheriff's Office
919 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7141
Berrien County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.

Berrien County Trial Court
811 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7111
Berrien County Trial Court

The court maintains case records including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information.

Michigan State Police
Criminal Justice Information Center
7150 Harris Drive
Dimondale, MI 48821
(517) 241-0606
Michigan State Police

The State Police maintain the central repository for criminal history information statewide.

Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of:

Initial charges and arrests
Arraignment proceedings
Plea information
Trial records
Sentencing details
Probation and parole information

Are Criminal Records Public In Berrien County

Criminal records in Berrien County are generally accessible to the public under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231-15.246. This statute establishes the presumption that all government records, including criminal records, are available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The Michigan FOIA states: "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."

Public criminal records in Berrien County typically include:

Adult conviction records
Court proceedings and case dispositions
Booking information and mugshots
Sentencing information
Sex offender registry information

However, certain criminal records are restricted from public access, including:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations, as disclosure could interfere with law enforcement proceedings
Juvenile records, which are generally sealed under Michigan Compiled Laws § 712A.28
Records that have been expunged or sealed by court order
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records that would disclose the identity of a confidential source or confidential information

The Berrien County Sheriff's Office Records Division is responsible for maintaining and providing access to many criminal records within the county. The division processes requests for incident reports, accident reports, and other law enforcement documentation in accordance with state law.

Public access to criminal records serves important societal functions, including promoting transparency in the criminal justice system, enabling informed decision-making by employers and landlords, and allowing individuals to verify the accuracy of their own records.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Berrien County in 2026

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

To conduct an in-person search for criminal records:

Visit the Berrien County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours.

Berrien County Sheriff's Office Records Division
919 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7141, ext. 7219
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Records Division

Complete a records request form, providing specific information about the record being sought, including:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Case number (if known)
- Date and location of incident (if applicable)
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for record copies. The current fee schedule is:
- Accident Reports: $10.00
- Incident Reports: $5.00 for first page, $0.25 for each additional page
- Background Checks: $10.00

For court records searches:

Visit the Berrien County Trial Court Records Department.

Berrien County Trial Court Records
811 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7111
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Berrien County Trial Court

Request access to public terminals for searching case records.
Provide case numbers or names to locate specific records.
Request copies of public documents, which may require payment of copying fees.

For written requests:

Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the appropriate agency.
Clearly identify the records being sought.
Provide contact information for response.
Be prepared to pay reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.

Pursuant to Michigan FOIA law, agencies must respond to requests within 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension if necessary.

How To Find Criminal Records in Berrien County Online?

Berrien County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person searches, though the scope of available information may vary.

The primary online resources include:

Berrien County Public Records Portal

The county maintains a comprehensive public records portal that provides access to various criminal justice records. Users can search for:
- Public civil cases
- Criminal case information
- Court calendars and schedules
- Register of Deeds documents
No registration is required for basic searches, though certain detailed information may require user authentication.
Berrien County Inmate Search

The Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search tool that allows users to locate individuals currently held in county custody. This database includes:
- Current inmates' names
- Booking dates
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release dates (when applicable)
Users should note that this system only displays current inmates, not historical incarceration records.
Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS)

For information about individuals under Michigan Department of Corrections supervision, users can access the OTIS database. This system provides:
- Offender profiles
- Current status (incarcerated, paroled, discharged)
- Offense information
- Earliest release dates
- Supervision conditions
Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)

The ICHAT system provides official criminal history record information maintained by the Michigan State Police. This fee-based service ($10 per search) requires registration and provides:
- Felony and serious misdemeanor convictions
- Pending felony and serious misdemeanor charges
- Disposition of cases

When conducting online searches, users should provide as much identifying information as possible, including:

Full legal name (including possible aliases)
Date of birth
Case numbers (if known)

Online record searches may not return complete information in all cases. Some records may only be available through in-person requests, particularly older cases that have not been digitized or cases containing sensitive information that requires redaction before release.

Can You Search Berrien County Criminal Records for Free?

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

Free in-person inspection options include:

Berrien County Trial Court
811 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7111
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The court provides public access terminals where visitors may search case records at no cost. While viewing is free, printing or obtaining certified copies incurs standard fees.

Berrien County Sheriff's Office
919 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7141
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The Sheriff's Records Division allows public inspection of certain records without charge, though identification is required.

Free online resources include:

Berrien County Inmate Search

The Berrien County Inmate Search provides free access to current jail population information, including names, charges, and booking dates. This resource is updated regularly and requires no registration or payment.
Berrien County Public Records Portal

Basic searches on the county's public records portal are available without charge. Users can access court calendars, case status information, and basic case details without payment, though detailed document retrieval may incur fees.
Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry

The Michigan State Police maintains a free public sex offender registry that includes offenders residing in Berrien County. This database provides names, addresses, physical descriptions, and offense information for registered sex offenders.

While inspection is often free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for:

Copying documents
Certified copies
Records requiring extensive search or retrieval time
Records requiring redaction of exempt information

The first 20 pages of copies are typically provided at a standard per-page rate, with additional pages potentially subject to reduced rates. Agencies must provide a detailed itemization of costs when charging fees for record production.

What's Included in a Berrien County Criminal Record?

Berrien County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
Mugshot or booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency
Booking number
Initial charges filed
Bail or bond amount
Detention facility location

Court Case Information:

Case number and court of jurisdiction
Filing date
Formal charges and applicable statutes
Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
Plea information
Defense attorney information
Prosecutor assigned
Judge presiding over the case
Court appearance dates

Disposition Information:

Verdict or case outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details, including:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
Appeal information
Probation or parole status

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/OWI convictions
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Pending charges in other jurisdictions

The Berrien County Sheriff's Office Records Division maintains many of these records, while court-specific information is held by the Berrien County Trial Court. Criminal history information is also maintained at the state level through the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.

It is important to note that certain information may be redacted from publicly available records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Victim information in certain cases
Information related to ongoing investigations
Medical or mental health information
Information sealed by court order

How Long Does Berrien County Keep Criminal Records?

Berrien County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget's Records Management Services, as authorized under Michigan Compiled Laws § 399.5. These schedules determine how long different types of criminal justice records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.

The retention periods for various criminal records in Berrien County include:

Felony Case Files: Permanent retention for serious felonies (murder, criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping); 30 years after case closure for other felonies.
Misdemeanor Case Files: 7 years after case closure for most misdemeanors; 10 years for domestic violence cases.
Arrest Records: 7 years for arrests not resulting in charges; retained with case file if prosecution occurs.
Jail Records: Booking information and inmate files are typically retained for 7 years after release.
Warrant Information: Active warrants remain in effect until served or recalled by the court; recalled warrant information is retained for 7 years.
Sex Offender Registration Records: Maintained for the duration of the registration requirement, which may be 15 years, 25 years, or lifetime depending on the offense.
Juvenile Records: Generally maintained until the individual reaches age 30, unless expunged earlier by court order.
Probation Records: 7 years after completion of probation term.
Court Transcripts and Recordings: Felony cases are retained permanently; misdemeanor cases for 10 years after case closure.

The Berrien County Sheriff's Office and Berrien County Trial Court follow these retention schedules while maintaining the security and integrity of all criminal justice records. Digital records management systems have extended the practical retention of many records beyond the minimum required periods.

It is important to note that even after the official retention period expires, information about criminal cases may persist in other forms, including:

News media archives
Private background check company databases
Internet search results
Third-party data aggregators

Individuals seeking to limit access to their criminal records may be eligible for expungement under Michigan law if they meet specific criteria. The expungement process legally seals records from public view, though certain government agencies may still access them for limited purposes.