Thursday, March 28, 2024

How To Obtain A Police Report In Michigan

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Obtain A Public Police Report Copy

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After filing a public police report you are able to obtain a copy for yourself any time. Unless you received one from a dispatched officer on the scene, you most likely will have to pay a fee to obtain a copy.

Most police reports are public record so anyone who wants to see their own or someone elses report is able to do so. Reports that are under investigation though are usually restricted to the police department and investigating parties, however.

What Are Juvenile Criminal Records

Michigan does not try underage individuals as adults unless for felonies punishable by life sentences, offenses with a maximum penalty of 10 years and above, and offenses involving the use or possession of a weapon. Besides these exceptions, Michigan does not regard juvenile adjudications as criminal convictions.

In Michigan, juvenile criminal records are usually sealed records providing details of the criminal activities of juveniles. However, court and law enforcement records regarding crimes committed by a juvenile may be available to the public unless sealed or expunged by a court. The Michigan juvenile justice system is the special juvenile court set aside to handle criminal cases involving minors in the state.

Are Police Reports Public Records

Many types of police records are exempt from public disclosure and are not public records. There are two main reasons why they arent publicly available. First, disclosing the information could undermine an ongoing investigation. Second, it could jeopardize someones privacy and safety. In some cases, departments will release certain information related to the report, such as to a reporter doing a story. However, they rarely release a full copy.

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Services For Getting A Police Report For A Car Accident

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In Michigan, you can get a police report for a car accident by requesting one from either the state police or the department in the city where your crash occurred. However, there are also services that you can use to get a copy of your report.

These services include:

  • Michigan State Polices Traffic Crash Purchasing System
  • LexisNexis Police Reports

The information you will need for any of these services includes: the date of your car accident the incident or case number your date of birth and your driver license number.

The incident or case number is usually provided by the police officer at the scene of the accident. But if you were injured and taken to the hospital before you could get the incident or case number, then you can contact the police department that investigated your car accident and request it.

Some local departments may require you to file a FOIA request to obtain a copy of the police report for a car accident in Michigan.

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How To Get A Police Report For A Car Accident

In Michigan, to get a police report for a car accident that you were involved in, you can request a copy of the UD-10 Traffic Crash Report from the state police or from the local department that investigated the crash. You will need the date and incident number. You will also likely have to pay a small fee.

Although getting a police report for a car accident might be the last thing you want to be doing after youve been injured, it is important to get one.

Nearly every insurance company requires their customers to obtain a copy of the report at some point shortly after a car crash for processing an auto insurance claim.

As an attorney, I would add that getting a police report for a car accident in Michigan is very important to making an insurance claim, but it is even more important to protecting your legal rights to compensation, auto No-Fault insurance benefits and other economic damages that youll be entitled to.

Today I wanted to share some tips and advice on how to quickly and easily obtain a copy of your police report.

How To Obtain A Police Report After A Car Accident And Why Its So Important

If youre involved in an accident, one of the first things youll want to do is to get local law enforcement on the scene. Calling 911 as soon as possible is essential to receive professional help from not only police officers, but also emergency medical technicians and towing services if theyre needed. But, beyond that, one of the most crucial reasons to call 911 immediately is to guarantee a police report is generated.

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Obtaining Copies Of Reports

Copies of incident reports and traffic accident reports may be obtained through the Records Bureau during business hours. Police reports are $12. Please allow time for processing the report, generally 72 hours, and call ahead to make sure the report has been processed before coming into the station. Records will not bill for reports.

In order to obtain a copy of a report, the requestors name must appear in the report. Contact the Records Bureau at 734-374-1535 for further details. Certain information, which is governed by state and federal privacy laws, is always redacted from the report, prior to copying. This may include, but is not limited to, phone numbers, witness information, suspect information , and medical data.

The following changes have also been made pertaining to police reports and other services:

  • Pistol Purchase Permit: Applications for pistol permits are available from Tuesday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Records Bureau.
  • Police Reports: An Information Sheet/Request is available in the lobby of the police department. Customers can leave the completed form in the locked drop box in the lobby and their police report request will be processed.
  • Record Clearance: A request for a criminal conviction history can be obtained through ICHAT.

How Are Police Reports Beneficial In Lawsuits

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Police reports help locate the negligent driver and any witnesses who could testify on your behalf. They also provide important factual background about your auto accident that an attorney can use to help maximize your claim. Even seemingly minor things like the exact time of the accident or the weather conditions may be vital to your case.

However, it is important to note that a police report is completed after the fact, so it may be possible that the opinion of the officer who completed the document could be later called into question in court. Likewise, a report containing significant errors or omissions could be less useful than one that is carefully and professionally written. This is why we suggest getting a copy of the police report describing any accident that youve been involved in as soon as possible so you can examine it yourself to determine its accurate, complete, and detailed enough to help prove your side of the story should you have to file a lawsuit.

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What Is Probation And Parole In Michigan

Michigan uses indeterminate sentences for convicts. That means each inmate has a minimum and maximum jail term. An inmate is only eligible for parole after completing the minimum jail term. The Parole Board determines whether to release inmates on parole or not. Information about inmate parole including minimum jail terms is available online on the MDOC OTIS portal. To contact the Michigan Parole Board, complete this webform on the MDOC website.

Michigan probation records are official documents that provide details of deferred sentences for convicted individuals allowed by courts to serve their sentences outside correctional facilities. Although serving suspended sentences out of custody, probation still involves supervising those given this privilege. The MDOC has 10 parole and probation offices all over the state and assigns probationers to probation agents throughout the duration of their supervised freedom.

What Is A Criminal Record In Michigan

In Michigan, criminal records are official documents that provide details of criminal activities committed by individuals within the state. Also known as rap sheets, these records contain information about arrests, indictments, dispositions, and convictions. Generally, the information found in criminal records is compiled from police records, as well as information held by local and state law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities in Michigan.

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What Are Conviction Records

Michigan conviction records provide details of court proceedings during indictments, pleas, hearings, and sentencing of individuals found guilty. Conviction records can be from criminal and civil court cases. These records describe the charges brought against convicted individuals and the resulting punishments recommended by judges or juries. Such punishments include jail time, fines, probation, and parole. Members of the public can find courts final judgments in conviction records unless they are expunged or the records sealed.

What Are Misdemeanors In Michigan

Michigan Car Accident Police Report FAQs

Misdemeanors in Michigan are less serious crimes than felonies. In Michigan, there are three classes of misdemeanors. These are:

  • 93-Day Misdemeanors: these are punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine amount up to $500, or both. Individuals can be charged for 93-day misdemeanors under state or local laws. Some misdemeanors are charged under both state and local laws. Examples of misdemeanors in this category are first offense DUI, assault, and battery, disturbing the peace, and embezzlement of property or money valued under $200
  • 1-Year Misdemeanors: these are punished by up to a year in jail, fines up to $1000, or both. Examples include second-offense DUI, larceny of properties between $200 and $1,000), shoplifting, and intentional discharge of a firearm but without intent to injure
  • High Court Misdemeanors: these are the most serious misdemeanors in Michigan and carry the same punishments as Class G and H felonies. High court misdemeanors are punishable by up to 2 years in jail, up to $2,000 in fines, or both. Examples are indecent exposure, second-offense domestic assault, and negligent homicide by vehicle

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Get A Copy Of Your Michigan Criminal Record

In Michigan, people need copies of criminal records for a number of reasons. Criminal records are required for concealed weapon permits, adoption, legal name changes and professional licensing. People who want to modify or have existing records expunged must request a copy. Identity theft victims also should request copies to make certain the perpetrator did not collect arrests or convictions under their names.

For whatever reason you need your criminal record, Michigan has set up a process to get them. Records can be obtained through the state’s criminal record repository, the court of conviction and the local law enforcement agency.

Freedom Of Information Requests

If you wish to make a Freedom of Information request, we will need the request in writing. A FOIA form is available at the Records Bureau counter or here: Freedom of Information Request . Your written request can be filled out at the counter, faxed to the Records Bureau , emailed to the Records Bureau , or mailed to Sterling Heights Police Department, Attention Records, 40333 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313.

We will need to know what you are requesting and your name and address where you can be contacted when we have the request ready. The Police Department is allotted by law 5 business days to contact you and let you know that the information is ready and what the cost will be.

Records Counter

Go to the Records Bureau located in the lobby of in the Police Department Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please wait at least three days following the reported incident. Upon your arrival at the Records Bureau counter, you will either be provided a copy of the report or depending on the case status, as open investigations are not released, you may be directed to complete a Freedom of Information Request . For the pricing on reports, contact the Records Bureau at 446-2900. Payable by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard or Discover Card.

Please be advised that you will need to be at the Records Bureau window by 4:15 p.m. to assist us in facilitating your request.

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Is It Illegal To Not Report A Car Accident

In Michigan, yes and no. Yes, it is illegal to not report a car accident to the police if the accident resulted in death, injury or property damage of $1,000 or more.

But, no, it is not illegal to not report a crash to the police if none of the above resulted from the crash. Michigan law imposes no general reporting requirement under these circumstances.

Its worth noting that , Michigan law imposes no penalty on people who fail to comply with the reporting requirement for crashes that result in death, injury or property damage of $1,000 or more.

Hit And Run Police Report

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Accidents involving a hit and run by one or more parties can result in serious penalties so it especially necessary to make a hit and run police report. Hit and runs are illegal and can result in license revocation and even criminal charges.

Filing a police report for a hit and run is imperative even if you do not have much information about the other party or their vehicle.

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Southeastern Dispute Resolution Services

  • Director of Police & Fire Services

    Elmer Hitt started his career at the Jackson Police Department in 1996 as a cadet.

  • Promoted to Patrol Officer in 1997
  • Promoted to Sergeant in 2005
  • Promoted to Lieutenant in 2010
  • Promoted to Deputy Chief in 2015
  • Appointed as Director of Police & Fire Services in 2017
  • Police Department

    Pittsfield Township Department Of Public Safety:

    • Harassing phone calls/No known suspects
    • Larceny/Theft/ No Known Suspects
    • Harassing phone calls/No known suspects
    • Identity Theft/ No known suspects
    • Larceny/Theft/ No Known Suspects
    • Private property traffic crash – Parked unattended/returned to find had been struck
    • Accidental/Non-Intentional Property Damage

    If you are reporting a non-emergency crime that occurred on the highway or in an area not listed above, but within Washtenaw County, please call 734-994-2911 to reach Washtenaw Metro Dispatch so that the appropriate police agency can respond to your incident.

    A person who intentionally makes a false report in the commission of a crime, or intentionally causes a false report in the commission of a crime to be made, to a peace officer, police agency of this state or of a local unit of government, 9-1-1 operator, or any other governmental employee or contractor or employee of a contractor who is authorized to receive reports of a crime, knowing the report is false, is guilty of a crime. MCL 750.411a

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    What Is A Dui In Michigan

    Per the states drunk driving laws, a DUI in Michigan refers to the crime of driving under the influence of intoxicating or inebriating substances. Generally, alcohol is the most common of prohibited substances that motorists consume. Law enforcement will charge a person with drunk driving if a chemical test reveals a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher

    In addition to possible criminal charges, motorists will have their licenses suspended for at least 60 days. The suspension period increases with aggravating circumstances, such as leaving the scene of a commercial motor vehicle accident, drunk driving with a minor, and eluding an officer. Besides license suspension, impaired drivers face court-imposed penalties such as jail time and mandatory installation of alcohol ignition interlock. The court may require repeat offenders to complete a substance abuse treatment program or driver’s education course. Another consequence of OWI in Michigan is that the drunk driving conviction remains on the drivers record for life.

    Find Allegan County Police Records

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    Allegan County Police Records are documents created by Police Departments that document the details of crimes, arrests, and the criminal activities of particular individuals in Allegan County, Michigan. The Allegan County Police Department maintains detailed records on arrests, investigations, and the actions of police officers and makes many of these records available for public search and background checks.

    Learn about Police Records, including:

    • Where to get free Police Records online
    • How to perform an Allegan County background check
    • Where to get accident and crash reports
    • Which public records are available from Allegan County Police Departments
    • Where to find mugshots online

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    Michigan History And Accuracy Of Criminal Records

    Electronic recordkeeping has improved the accuracy of criminal records kept by courts and law enforcement agencies in Michigan. Prior to this, these records are written/typed on paper and filed away. This system is prone to human error and deterioration of physical records. Digitization eliminates most of these concerns by making it easier to record, store, and retrieve records.

    Criminal Records

    How Long To File A Police Report For A Car Accident

    According to Michigan law, you must immediately file a police report after a car accident in Michigan if youre involved in a crash that results in death or injury or property damage of $1,000 or more.

    Similarly, once one of these types of crashes is reported to the police, then the officer receiving the report, or his or her commanding officer, shall immediately forward each report to the director of the department of state police on forms prescribed by the director of the department of state police. Importantly, the forms shall be completed in full by the investigating officer.

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