Warrant records are public in Wayne County, Michigan, pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records maintained by government agencies, including warrant information, unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Michigan FOIA defines public records as writings prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. Under this definition, warrants issued by courts within Wayne County qualify as public records subject to disclosure. The public accessibility of these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining transparency in judicial proceedings and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system.
Certain exceptions may apply to warrant information that is part of an ongoing investigation or contains sensitive personal data protected under Michigan law. In such cases, portions of the record may be redacted in accordance with MCL 15.243, which outlines specific exemptions from disclosure.
Warrant records maintained by Wayne County authorities typically contain the following information:
Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 6.102, arrest warrants must be signed by the court and contain the accused's name or identifying information, a description of the offense charged, and a command to arrest the accused and bring them before the court without unnecessary delay.
Members of the public may verify the existence of warrants in Wayne County through several no-cost methods:
When making inquiries, individuals should be prepared to provide the full name and date of birth of the person for whom they are checking warrant status. Per Michigan law, government agencies may require proper identification from requestors seeking public records to verify identity and prevent misuse of sensitive information.
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office maintains and executes warrants issued by courts within the county jurisdiction. These legal documents authorize law enforcement officers to take specific actions, including:
The Sheriff's Warrant Enforcement Division, operating under the authority granted by MCL 764.15, is responsible for processing and executing these judicial orders. This specialized unit works in coordination with local police departments and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend individuals with active warrants.
Wayne County Sheriff's Office
4747 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 224-2222
Wayne County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants that is updated regularly as new warrants are issued and existing ones are executed or recalled. This information is accessible to law enforcement agencies throughout Michigan via the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) as authorized by MCL 28.211 et seq.
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Wayne County in 2025 may utilize several official channels:
Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 6.106, individuals with active warrants may be subject to immediate arrest. Therefore, addressing potential warrants promptly is advisable. The Michigan State Police also maintains records that may indicate the existence of warrants through their central repository.
It should be noted that under MCL 780.651, certain warrants may be sealed by court order and thus not accessible through public record searches. These typically involve ongoing investigations where public disclosure could compromise law enforcement objectives.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Wayne County may be accomplished through several authorized methods:
When conducting warrant searches, requestors should provide as much identifying information as possible, including full legal name, date of birth, and any known case numbers. Under Michigan law, specifically MCL 15.233, public bodies must furnish reasonable facilities for examination of public records during normal business hours.
Wayne County residents and interested parties may access warrant information through several official channels: