Lake County 24 Hour Booking Records
Lake County 24 hour booking records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Baldwin, Michigan. This rural county in the northwestern Lower Peninsula does not have an online inmate search system. If you need to find out whether someone has been booked into the Lake County Jail, call 231-745-2711. The Sheriff's Office is at 1153 Michigan Avenue in Baldwin. You can also request records through Michigan's FOIA process. This page explains all the ways to search for booking records in Lake County, what information those records contain, and how to submit a formal request.
Lake County Booking Overview
How to Search Lake County 24 Hour Booking
Lake County does not operate an online inmate search system. There is no web-based roster where you can type in a name and see who is in the jail. This is the case for several smaller counties in northern Michigan. The main way to check on a booking is by phone.
Call the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 231-745-2711. Tell the staff you want to know if someone is currently booked. Have the person's full legal name ready. The jail staff can share basic information like custody status, charges, and bond amount during business hours. You can also visit the Sheriff's Office in person at 1153 Michigan Avenue in Baldwin to ask about inmates or pick up a records request form.
The Lake County government website has general information about the county and its departments, though it does not have an inmate search tool. The screenshot below shows the Lake County website.
From this site you can find contact details for the Sheriff's Office and other county departments.
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Martin has served Lake County since 2016 and is now in a third term. Undersheriff Pietras was appointed in 2021. The office handles all law enforcement duties for the county, and the jail processes all local 24 hour booking intakes.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Sheriff's Office | 231-745-2711 |
| Address | 1153 Michigan Ave, Baldwin, MI 49304 |
| County Seat | Baldwin |
| Sheriff | Sheriff Martin (elected 2016) |
| Undersheriff | Undersheriff Pietras (appointed 2021) |
The Lake County Sheriff website page provides more about the department's services and contact options.
Baldwin is a small village that serves as the county seat. The courthouse and Sheriff's Office are located on Michigan Avenue in the center of town.
Lake County 24 Hour Booking FOIA Requests
Since Lake County has no online booking search, FOIA requests are the formal way to get detailed records. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 through MCL 15.246 gives any person the right to request public records. Booking records from the county jail are public records under this law.
Put your request in writing and send it to the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 1153 Michigan Ave, Baldwin, MI 49304. No online FOIA form has been identified for this county, so you may need to write your own letter or visit in person to get a form. Include the person's name, approximate arrest date, and what records you want. The office has 5 business days to respond. They can take 10 extra days for complex requests. Copy costs are usually about $0.10 per page.
If you have low income, the first $20 of fees is waived under FOIA rules. This applies to up to two requests per year. Under MCL 15.243, the office can withhold records from active investigations, records that could endanger a person, and juvenile information. Standard adult 24 hour booking records are available to anyone.
Note: Lake County has no online FOIA form, so plan to call 231-745-2711 or visit the office at 1153 Michigan Ave in Baldwin to start your records request.
Lake County Booking and State Search Tools
When the county itself has limited tools, statewide databases can fill some gaps. The VineLink system covers most Michigan jails. Search by name to check if someone is in custody in Lake County. You can also register for alerts when an inmate's status changes. VineLink is free and works 24/7.
The Michigan OTIS system tracks people in state prison or on parole. If someone booked into the Lake County Jail later gets sentenced to state time, their record moves to OTIS. The ICHAT tool from the Michigan State Police costs $10 per search and shows criminal history statewide.
For court records, the MiCOURT case search covers cases from Lake County's courts. Search by name or case number. It is free. MCL 801.1 through MCL 801.81 govern county jail operations in Michigan, and you can read those statutes at the Michigan Legislature website.
What Lake County 24 Hour Booking Records Include
A booking record from the Lake County Jail includes the inmate's full name, date of birth, gender, and physical description. The booking number is a unique ID given at intake. Charges show what the person was arrested for. Bond or bail amounts are listed when they apply. The arresting agency appears on the record as well. In Lake County, most arrests come from the Sheriff's Office since there are no city police departments in the area.
Lake County does not post mugshots online. You can request booking photos through FOIA. Under MCL 28.243, some restrictions apply to criminal history records held by state police, but county booking photos are generally available on request. The county must keep records of each intake under MCL 801.1 through MCL 801.81.
Nearby Counties
Lake County sits in northwestern Lower Michigan. These nearby counties have their own jails and 24 hour booking records.