Mason County 24 Hour Booking Records
Mason County 24 hour booking records are maintained by Sheriff Kim Cole's office at 304 E Ludington Avenue in Ludington, Michigan. The jail houses over 100 inmates and runs 24/7 operations including road patrol and booking. Mason County offers online inmate information through its website. You can also call 231-843-3475 for booking details. This page covers how to search for Mason County 24 hour booking records, what they contain, and how to request copies.
Mason County Booking Overview
Mason County Booking Records Access
The Mason County Sheriff's Office handles all 24 hour booking records. Sheriff Kim Cole has led the office since January 2013. The jail at 304 E Ludington Avenue processes arrests from across the county. At intake, staff record the person's name, date of birth, physical traits, charges, and bond amount. A mugshot gets taken during booking. The facility holds over 100 inmates and operates around the clock.
Mason County provides online inmate information through the Mason County website. This gives you a way to check on current inmates from your computer or phone. You can also call 231-843-3475 to ask about someone in custody. The line runs all day and all night. Walking in during business hours at 304 E Ludington Avenue is another option.
Under Michigan's FOIA law at MCL 15.233, you have the right to request booking records in writing. The office must respond within five business days. For real-time custody tracking, VineLink covers Mason County and sends free alerts by phone, text, or email when an inmate's status changes.
Search Tools for Mason County 24 Hour Booking
Beyond the county's own inmate information page, statewide tools help you search for booking and arrest records. The ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police costs $10 per search. You need a full name and date of birth. ICHAT shows felony convictions, serious misdemeanors over 93 days under MCL 28.241, and pending charges. It does not display current jail bookings, but it confirms criminal history.
The screenshot below shows the Michigan courts search portal where Mason County case records can be found after charges are filed.
Use MiCOURT to look up court cases for free. Mason County falls under the 51st Circuit Court. Charges, hearings, and outcomes show up once the case is filed.
The OTIS system from the Michigan Department of Corrections tracks state prison inmates, parolees, and people on probation. If someone from Mason County goes to state prison, OTIS has their record. Local jail stays alone do not appear in OTIS. You can search OTIS by name or MDOC number. Each offense links to the actual statute at the Michigan Legislature site, so you can read the law behind each charge.
Mason County Booking Record Details
Booking records at the Mason County Jail follow Michigan jail rules in MCL 801.1 through MCL 801.81. Each record captures the key facts about the arrest.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Sheriff Kim Cole (since 2013) |
| Jail Address | 304 E Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI 49431 |
| Phone | 231-843-3475 |
| Capacity | 100+ inmates |
| Operations | 24/7 road patrol and jail |
| Online Info | Available through county website |
Each booking record includes the inmate's full name, height, weight, hair and eye color, and date of birth. The booking number is unique to each intake. Charges are listed with bond amounts. Court dates appear when set. The arresting agency is noted too. Mugshots are taken at booking. Because Mason County has an online inmate information system, you may be able to see some booking details without calling.
Note: Mason County has had 23 sheriffs since 1855, and the office has a long track record of managing jail operations and booking records in the Ludington area.
Request Mason County 24 Hour Booking Data
For detailed booking records beyond what the online tool shows, file a FOIA request. Send it in writing to the Mason County Sheriff's Office at 304 E Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431. Include the person's name, a date range, and any booking numbers you know.
Under MCL 15.235, the office has five business days to respond. Complex requests can get a 10-day extension. Copy fees run about $0.10 per page. Low-income requesters get the first $20 waived. You can use that waiver up to two times per year. MCL 15.243 lists what records can be held back. Active investigations, safety concerns, and juvenile data are protected. But standard adult booking records remain public.
The Michigan Legislature site has the full text of FOIA at MCL 15.231 through MCL 15.246. County jail operation rules are at MCL 801.1 through MCL 801.81.
Mason County Jail Booking Process
The intake process at the Mason County Jail follows Michigan rules. When law enforcement brings someone in, jail staff take their personal information, photograph them, and log all charges. Bond gets set by the court. A booking number is assigned that stays with the record through the whole case. The facility holds over 100 inmates, making it one of the larger jails in the region.
Mason County has a long law enforcement history. Sheriff Kim Cole has led the office since 2013, and the county has had 23 sheriffs since 1855. The jail runs 24/7 operations including both road patrol and corrections. The county seat of Ludington serves as the center for courts and government services. All arrests from across the county end up at 304 E Ludington Avenue for booking and processing. If you need to confirm a booking or check on an inmate, the 231-843-3475 line is staffed day and night.
Nearby County Booking Records
Need booking records from counties near Mason? These links take you to their pages.