Branch County Arrest Records – Jail Inmate Search & Booking Details

Arrest and jail verification Police and court records Family action guide

Verify a Branch County Arrest, Locate Custody and Find the Final Court Outcome

A Branch County “arrest record” is not one document or one database. Current jail custody, the police incident report, booking information, charges, warrants, court proceedings and the final disposition are held by different official offices.

Use this guide to identify the exact record you need, check whether someone is jailed now, request a Sheriff report, follow the 3-A District Court case, obtain certified Circuit Court records, verify bond and help a recently arrested family member with visits, money, mail, counsel and release.

Official record verification chain Source checked
SHERIFF Arrest, report and jail record
3-A COURT Charges, bond and early case
15TH CIRCUIT Felony case and disposition
VERIFY
EACH
SOURCE
CERTIFIED RESULT Final disposition when required
$4 Incident or accident report
$5 Personal records check
$10 Clerk criminal search
No single database Use the correct office
517-278-2325 Sheriff and Jail
379 Keith Wilhelm Jail in Coldwater
517-279-4328 3-A District Court
517-279-4304 15th Circuit Court
MI-VINE Current custody alerts
An arrest record is not proof of guilt. Initial allegations can be amended, dismissed or resolved differently in court. Always pair a jail or police record with the official court disposition before making an employment, housing, safety or legal decision.

Start with the document you actually need

Branch County Arrest Record Finder

Select the situation. The tool builds the correct official workflow without collecting a name or running a third-party background search.

First 30-minute family workflow

Someone Was Just Arrested in Branch County—Do This in Order

1

Confirm the arresting agency

Determine whether the arrest was made by the Branch County Sheriff, Coldwater Police, Bronson Police, Michigan State Police or another agency.

First
2

Call the Branch County Jail

Ask whether the person is physically lodged, whether booking is complete and what name and inmate number appear in the jail system.

517-278-2325
3

Check MI-VINE

MI-VINE can provide available custody status and release, transfer or escape notifications.

800-770-7657
4

Record every identifier

Write down the booked name, inmate number, booking date, charges, bond type, holds, arresting agency and court case number.

Write it down
5

Call the 3-A District Court criminal division

All adult Branch County criminal cases begin in District Court. The court confirms formal charges, bond conditions and the next hearing.

517-279-4329
6

Request appointed counsel when needed

A person who cannot afford private counsel should request an attorney and complete the financial eligibility process.

517-279-4338
7

Report urgent medication or mental-health information

Contact the jail directly before bringing medicine, eyeglasses, medical equipment or private health documents.

Health first
8

Confirm every warrant or hold before paying bond

A second warrant, court, county, probation or parole hold may prevent release even when the first bond is paid.

Before money
Protect the case: do not discuss alleged facts, witnesses, evidence, deleted messages or legal strategy during ordinary jail calls or video visits.

Current custody is not the same as an arrest history

How to Find a Current Branch County Inmate

Official jail confirmation

Call Branch County Corrections

Jail: 517-278-2325

Address:
Branch County Jail
379 Keith Wilhelm Drive
Coldwater, MI 49036

The jail operates 24 hours a day. Sheriff administrative hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Open Official Corrections Page
  1. Call with the full legal name and birth date.
  2. Ask whether the person is currently lodged.
  3. Ask whether booking is complete.
  4. Obtain the inmate number.
  5. Confirm bond and each hold.
  6. Ask which court has the case.
Custody alerts

Use Michigan MI-VINE

MI-VINE is a free, confidential 24-hour service providing available custody and court-status information.

Telephone: 800-770-7657

Open Michigan VINELink
  1. Select Michigan.
  2. Search the full legal name.
  3. Compare the facility and identifying details.
  4. Open the matching custody record.
  5. Register a safe notification method.
  6. Keep the PIN or account details private.
Do not use MDOC OTIS for an ordinary new county-jail arrest. OTIS is for people under Michigan Department of Corrections jurisdiction or supervision, not every person booked into the Branch County Jail.

Request the record from the agency that created it

How to Get a Branch County Police or Arrest Report

Sheriff incident report

Current published fee: $4

Branch County publishes a $4 fee for incident and accident reports. Call first to confirm availability and whether the investigation is closed.

Phone: 517-278-2325
Email: Sheriffbc@countyofbranch.com

Verify Sheriff Fees
Sheriff FOIA

Use for jail or law-enforcement records

Open Sheriff FOIA Form
  1. Download the Sheriff FOIA request form.
  2. Identify the arrested person and incident date.
  3. Include the report number when known.
  4. Request specific records rather than “everything.”
  5. State whether electronic copies are acceptable.
  6. Keep a copy of the request.
Different police agency

Do not send every request to the Sheriff

A report created by Coldwater Police, Bronson Police, Michigan State Police or another agency should normally be requested from that agency.

Do next: identify the agency printed on the citation, bond paperwork, report card or court complaint.
Prepare this information
  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth when legally appropriate
  • Incident or report number
  • Date and approximate time
  • Location
  • Arresting or investigating agency
  • Specific records requested
  • Preferred delivery method
Focused arrest-report request: “I am requesting the releasable incident or arrest report concerning [FULL NAME], report number [NUMBER], for an incident on [DATE] at [LOCATION]. Please include the narrative, arrest or probable-cause documents and releasable attachments. Please advise of the fee and whether another agency holds any requested record.”
An open investigation, protected witness information, medical information, juvenile information or other legally exempt material may be withheld or redacted.

For employment, licensing, immigration or legal proof

Order a Branch County Court Record or Certified Disposition

County Clerk search fees

Current published costs

Service Published fee
Criminal or civil case-type search $10 for a 10-year period
Additional search years $1 per year
Non-certified copies $1 per page
Certified copy $10 plus $1 per page

The Clerk publishes cash or money order as accepted payment for mailed record searches. Personal checks are returned.

Branch County Clerk

Mail or in-person record request

31 Division Street
Coldwater, MI 49036

Phone: 517-279-4306
Email: countyclerk@branchcounty.gov
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Open Court Record Search Instructions
  1. Download the current record request form.
  2. Choose criminal as the case type.
  3. Provide the full name and approximate years.
  4. State whether certification is required.
  5. Include the required payment.
  6. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests.
A screenshot of an online docket may be useful for quick reference but is not the same as a clerk-certified court disposition.

Michigan-wide criminal-history information

Use Michigan ICHAT for a Statewide Name-Based Search

Michigan State Police

ICHAT public criminal-history search

ICHAT searches public criminal-history information maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.

Michigan currently publishes a $10 fee per name-based ICHAT search.

Open Official Michigan ICHAT
  1. Create or access the ICHAT account.
  2. Enter the person’s complete identifying information.
  3. Review possible matches carefully.
  4. Pay the search fee.
  5. Save the result or no-record response.
  6. Verify any Branch County case with the local court.
ICHAT limitations

What it does not include

  • Suppressed criminal-history records
  • Active warrant information
  • Federal cases
  • Tribal cases
  • Traffic records
  • Juvenile records
  • Some local misdemeanors
  • Criminal history from other states
For a personal fingerprint-based Michigan record containing public and nonpublic information associated with the fingerprints, follow the separate Michigan State Police personal-record procedure rather than relying only on ICHAT.

No broad official public warrant database is published

How to Handle a Possible Branch County Warrant

Do not rely on a private “free warrant search” page to decide whether it is safe to travel, appear at court or contact law enforcement. Warrant status can change and some warrant information is restricted.
Criminal warrant concern

Contact the court or an attorney

Use the 3-A District Court criminal division for a Branch County criminal case and consult defense counsel before taking action.

District criminal: 517-279-4329

Friend of the Court warrant

Call the assigned case manager

Branch County states that an FOC bench warrant remains active in LEIN until resolved or recalled.

FOC: 517-279-4314
Bench Warrant Officers: 517-279-5173

Booking fees

Know the added jail charges

Branch County publishes:

  • $12 for every jail booking
  • $10 for each warrant involved in the booking

These fees may be requested in addition to the bond needed for release.

Court-call wording: “I am trying to verify whether there is an active Branch County matter for [FULL NAME], date of birth [DOB], connected to case number [NUMBER IF KNOWN]. Which court issued it, what is the next required step, and should counsel contact the court before the person appears?”

A booking photo is not a complete arrest record

Branch County Mugshots and Booking Photographs

No standalone official gallery

Request a specific record

The Branch County Sheriff website does not publish a broad searchable mugshot gallery.

A specific booking photograph may be requested through Sheriff records or FOIA, subject to applicable law, exemptions and the status of the case.

Open Sheriff FOIA Resources
Use caution
  • A mugshot does not prove guilt.
  • A photograph may remain online after dismissal.
  • A name match may identify the wrong person.
  • The charge shown may no longer be current.
  • A private website may demand removal fees.
  • Do not republish the image without a legitimate reason.

Each document answers a different question

Branch County Arrest Record Decoder

Record What it shows Official source What it does not prove
Current custody record Whether a person is currently held or recently changed status Branch County Jail or MI-VINE Guilt or final case result
Booking record Jail intake, booked name, date and custody event Branch County Sheriff Conviction
Incident or arrest report Agency narrative and investigative information Agency that created the report That every allegation was proven
District Court docket Charges, bond, hearings and early felony proceedings 3-A District Court Final felony outcome after bindover
Circuit Court docket Felony proceedings after transfer 15th Circuit Court Every police investigative detail
Certified disposition Official recorded result of the case Branch County Clerk or appropriate court Complete statewide history
ICHAT result Public Michigan criminal-history information Michigan State Police Warrants, federal cases or suppressed records
Mugshot Booking photograph when lawfully released Sheriff records or FOIA Identity without corroboration or guilt

No match does not always mean no arrest

Branch County Search Troubleshooting

Problem Likely explanation Exact next action
No MI-VINE custody result Booking may be pending, the name may differ, or custody may have ended Call 517-278-2325
No District Court case Filing may be pending or the wrong name was searched Call the criminal clerk and use the full legal name
Felony disappears from District Court The case may have been bound over Search 15th Circuit Court
ICHAT shows no record The matter may be excluded, suppressed, local, federal or outside Michigan Check the local court and relevant jurisdiction
Report request is denied or redacted Investigation or protected information may be exempt Read the response and appeal instructions
Person was arrested by another agency The Sheriff may not hold the original incident report Request it from the creating agency
Private site shows an old charge The page may not reflect dismissal or later court action Obtain the official disposition
Possible juvenile case Juvenile information may be restricted Contact the appropriate court or attorney
Possible sealed or set-aside matter Public access may be limited by law Use the court and MSP correction procedures

Branch County publishes four primary bond types

How to Verify and Pay Branch County Jail Bond

Confirm the exact bond type and every additional warrant or hold before paying cash or signing a surety contract.
Cash only

Full amount required

A $10,000 cash-only bond requires the full $10,000 cash deposit.

Cash or surety

Cash or bondsman

The full cash amount or an eligible surety bond may satisfy the order.

Ten percent

10% deposited

A $10,000 ten-percent bond requires a $1,000 deposit.

P.R. bond

No cash deposit

The inmate signs a promise to appear and follow court conditions.

Surety bond warning

Understand the contract

Branch County explains that a bondsman is a private contractor, not a county employee.

  • Ask the premium amount.
  • Ask whether collateral is required.
  • Ask who must cosign.
  • Ask when collateral is returned.
  • Read forfeiture terms.
  • Get every promise in writing.
Added booking fees

Include the jail charges

  • $12 for every booking
  • $10 for each warrant

These may be requested in addition to the bond amount needed for release.

Read Official Bond Types
Bond-verification script: “I am calling about [FULL NAME], inmate number [NUMBER]. What is the exact bond amount and type? How many warrants or other holds are active? What booking and warrant fees apply? Where and how must payment be made? After payment, what can still delay release?”
Do not pay gift cards, cryptocurrency, a cash courier or a personal payment account because a caller claims to be a deputy, clerk or bondsman.

Local appointed representation

How to Get a Branch County Public Defender

Request counsel

Ask at the first court appearance

The defendant should say: “I cannot afford to hire an attorney. I want appointed counsel and I want to complete the financial eligibility process immediately.”
  • Answer financial questions accurately.
  • Return requested forms promptly.
  • Ask for the assigned attorney’s name.
  • Record the office telephone number.
Branch County Public Defender

Local office

300 Orleans Boulevard
Coldwater, MI 49036

Phone: 517-279-4338
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Other times by appointment

Open Public Defender Office
Private counsel

State Bar Lawyer Referral

Telephone: 800-968-0738

Find a Michigan Lawyer
  1. Select criminal defense.
  2. Provide Branch County.
  3. State that the client is jailed.
  4. Give the next hearing date.
  5. Ask whether bond review is included.
  6. Get the fee agreement in writing.
Questions for counsel
  • Can you meet the client promptly?
  • Will you appear at the next Branch County hearing?
  • Will you review bond or holds?
  • What evidence should the family preserve?
  • Who handles urgent calls?
  • Are investigation costs separate?
Protect the defense
  • Do not contact an alleged victim.
  • Do not coach witnesses.
  • Do not delete messages or posts.
  • Do not hide property or evidence.
  • Do not discuss facts on a recorded call.
  • Do not publish booking information online.

Official Securus video visitation

Branch County Jail Visitation Rules

Available days

Tuesday-Sunday

No visits are available on Monday.

Published hours

8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

Availability remains subject to scheduling and jail restrictions.

Advance scheduling

At least 24 hours

A non-inmate visitor must schedule the visit.

Visitor list

No approved list

The jail states that anyone may visit, subject to its rules.

Schedule a home visit Open Securus Video Visit Anywhere
  1. Confirm current Branch County custody.
  2. Create the visitor account.
  3. Select Branch County Jail.
  4. Choose the correct inmate.
  5. Review available times and fees.
  6. Schedule at least 24 hours ahead.
  7. Save the confirmation.

Visitation questions: 517-278-2942

Visit restrictions
  • No abusive conduct.
  • No inappropriate attire or behavior.
  • No intoxicated visitors.
  • No person jailed there for over 24 hours during the last 30 days.
  • No discussion of alleged case facts.
  • No attempt to display contraband or prohibited material.

Lobby, online and telephone deposits

How to Put Money on a Branch County Inmate Account

Jail lobby kiosk

Cash and major cards

The front-lobby kiosk accepts:

  • Cash
  • MasterCard
  • Visa
  • American Express

It does not accept coins, checks or money orders and does not provide cash back. A transaction fee applies.

Online deposit

ExpressAccount

Open ExpressAccount
  1. Select “Send Money.”
  2. Choose Branch County Facility.
  3. Enter the inmate’s last name.
  4. Select the correct inmate.
  5. Choose Credit Card Commissary Web Deposit.
  6. Review the fee.
  7. Save the receipt.
Telephone deposit

Available 24/7

Branch County publishes:

866-442-6833

MasterCard and Visa are accepted through the telephone deposit service.

Commissary money is not bond money. Confirm the purpose before selecting an account or inserting cash into a kiosk.

Postcards only for ordinary personal correspondence

How to Mail a Branch County Jail Inmate

Mailing address
Address the postcard: Inmate’s Full Booked Name
Branch County Jail
379 Keith Wilhelm Drive
Coldwater, MI 49036
  • Use a metered, unstamped, plain white postcard.
  • Maximum size is 6 x 8 inches.
  • Write in pencil or blue or black ink.
  • Include the sender’s return address.
  • Keep a copy of important information.
Do not mail or drop off
  • Stamps
  • Writing instruments
  • Loose paper
  • Personal property
  • Current inmate-to-inmate mail
  • Contraband
  • Threats or escape instructions
  • Irreplaceable original evidence

Stamps, paper and writing supplies must be purchased through jail commissary.

Health procedures are not fully published online

Medication, Mental Health and Medical Concerns

1

Confirm custody

Verify that the person is physically housed in Branch County.

2

Call the jail

Ask how health information should be delivered to medical staff.

3

Prepare exact facts

Medication, dosage, last dose, prescriber, pharmacy and allergies.

4

Follow instructions

Do not bring medicine or equipment unless staff directs you.

Medical-information checklist
  • Full booked name
  • Inmate or booking number
  • Medication name and dose
  • Last dose taken
  • Prescribing doctor
  • Pharmacy telephone number
  • Known allergies
  • Diabetes, seizure or heart condition
  • Withdrawal or suicide concern
  • Mobility, hearing or communication needs
Medical-information script: “I am calling about [FULL BOOKED NAME], inmate number [NUMBER]. I need to provide urgent information about [MEDICATION OR CONDITION]. The medication is [NAME AND DOSE], the last dose was [TIME], the prescriber is [DOCTOR] and the pharmacy is [PHARMACY AND PHONE]. What is the approved way to deliver this information to medical staff?”
Call 911 for an immediate life-threatening emergency and identify the Branch County Jail. Do not place medication inside inmate mail or property.

Bond payment is only one part of release

Prepare for Release From Branch County Jail

A

Confirm all holds

Ask whether another warrant, court or agency controls release.

B

Confirm payment

Verify that bond and applicable booking or warrant fees were received.

C

Confirm pickup

Ask for the entrance, approximate process and identification requirements.

D

Read conditions

Obtain the next court date and every written release restriction.

Before driving
  • Confirm release was formally authorized.
  • Confirm payment was received.
  • Confirm every hold cleared.
  • Ask whether identification is required.
  • Ask where pickup occurs.
  • Bring clothing and transportation.
  • Do not rely on a private website’s release time.
First 24 hours after release
  1. Read every bond condition.
  2. Save the court date in two calendars.
  3. Contact the defense attorney.
  4. Follow testing or reporting instructions.
  5. Do not contact protected people.
  6. Restore medication and medical care.
  7. Preserve every court document.
Release-confirmation script: “I am calling about [FULL NAME], inmate number [NUMBER]. Has release been formally authorized? Has the bond been received? Have all warrants and holds cleared? Were the booking and warrant fees satisfied? Where should pickup occur, and what written conditions will the person receive?”

For victims, witnesses and protected people

Branch County Victim Assistance and Custody Alerts

Immediate danger

Call 911

  • Do not meet the defendant.
  • Do not reveal your location.
  • Preserve threatening messages.
  • Report release-condition violations.
  • Ask how no-contact terms will be communicated.
Prosecuting Attorney

Victim Assistance Program

31 Division Street
Coldwater, MI 49036

Phone: 517-279-4319

Available assistance can include case status, court orientation, counseling referrals, compensation information, restitution help, property-return help and victim impact statements.

Open Prosecutor and Victim Help
MI-VINE

Custody and court notifications

Telephone: 800-770-7657

Open Official MI-VINE
  1. Search the offender’s legal name.
  2. Confirm the correct custody or case record.
  3. Register a safe telephone or email method.
  4. Keep the account PIN private.
  5. Call 911 rather than waiting for an alert during immediate danger.

One request should not mix unrelated records

Branch County Records Request Workflow

Sheriff

Police and jail records

Use Sheriff records or Sheriff FOIA for Sheriff-created reports, booking documents and releasable jail records.

Other police

Agency-created report

Request a municipal or state-police report from the agency that created it.

District Court

Early criminal case

Use for misdemeanors, arraignment, bond and preliminary felony proceedings.

Circuit Court

Felony case outcome

Use for felony proceedings after bindover and certified Circuit Court records.

County-wide FOIA

Branch County Administration:
31 Division Street
Coldwater, MI 49036

Phone: 517-279-4300
Fax: 517-278-4130
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Open Branch County FOIA Page
Focused records-request format: “I am requesting the releasable [INCIDENT REPORT, BOOKING RECORD, JAIL RECORD, PHOTOGRAPH, VIDEO OR OTHER DOCUMENT] concerning [FULL NAME], report or case number [NUMBER], dated [DATE] at [LOCATION]. Please advise whether your department is the records custodian, the estimated fee and whether electronic delivery is available.”

Keep jail, police and court identifiers separate

Branch County Arrest Record Worksheet

Full legal name
Date of birth
Arresting agency
Arrest date and location
Police report number
Inmate or booking number
Booking date
Charge wording
Bond amount and type
Warrants or holds
District Court case number
Next hearing
Circuit Court case number
Final disposition
Attorney name and phone
Certified copy ordered

Verified local offices and physical locations

Branch County Jail, Court and Records Contacts

Sheriff and Jail

Branch County Sheriff’s Office

379 Keith Wilhelm Drive
Coldwater, MI 49036

Phone: 517-278-2325
Email: Sheriffbc@countyofbranch.com
Fax: 517-278-5698

Administration: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Jail: 24 hours a day

District criminal court

3-A District Court

31 Division Street
Coldwater, MI 49036

General: 517-279-4328
Criminal division: 517-279-4329
Fax: 517-279-4333

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Doors close at 4:50 p.m.

Felony court

15th Circuit Court

Second Floor
31 Division Street
Coldwater, MI 49036

Phone: 517-279-4304
Email: circuitcourt@branchcounty.gov

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Closed noon-1:00 p.m.

Certified court records

Branch County Clerk

First Floor, Courthouse
31 Division Street
Coldwater, MI 49036

Phone: 517-279-4306
Email: countyclerk@branchcounty.gov

Appointed counsel

Public Defender

300 Orleans Boulevard
Coldwater, MI 49036

Phone: 517-279-4338
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Victim assistance

Prosecuting Attorney

Courthouse
31 Division Street
Coldwater, MI 49036

Phone: 517-279-4319
Fax: 517-279-6437

Branch County Jail Map

Branch County Courthouse Map

The Sheriff and Jail are at 379 Keith Wilhelm Drive. District Court, Circuit Court, the County Clerk and the Prosecuting Attorney are at 31 Division Street.

10 practical local answers

Branch County Arrest Records FAQs

1. Is there one Branch County arrest-record database?
No. Current custody is checked through the Branch County Jail or MI-VINE. Police reports come from the agency that created them, court cases begin in 3-A District Court, felony cases can continue in 15th Circuit Court, and statewide public criminal-history information is available through Michigan ICHAT.
2. How do I find someone arrested today?
Call the Branch County Jail at 517-278-2325 with the full legal name and date of birth. Ask whether booking is complete, obtain the inmate number, confirm bond and holds, then call the 3-A District Court criminal division at 517-279-4329 for formal charges and the next hearing.
3. How much does a Branch County incident report cost?
The Branch County Sheriff currently publishes a $4 fee for incident and accident reports. Call first to confirm that the report is available and whether additional FOIA fees or redactions apply.
4. How do I request Branch County jail or booking records?
Use the Sheriff FOIA form and describe the specific jail or booking records, person, date and incident number. The Sheriff’s Office is at 379 Keith Wilhelm Drive and can be reached at 517-278-2325 or Sheriffbc@countyofbranch.com.
5. Which court handles a Branch County criminal case?
All adult criminal cases begin in the 3-A District Court. Misdemeanors remain there through trial and sentencing. Felony arraignment, bond and preliminary examination also begin there, after which a qualifying felony moves to the 15th Circuit Court.
6. How much is a certified Branch County court record?
The County Clerk currently publishes a $10 search fee per case type covering ten years, $1 for each additional search year, $1 per copied page and $10 plus $1 per page for certified copies. Verify current fees before ordering.
7. Does ICHAT show active warrants?
No. Michigan State Police states that ICHAT does not include warrant information. Contact the Branch County court or a defense attorney for a possible criminal warrant. Friend of the Court bench-warrant questions should be directed to the assigned case manager or Branch County FOC.
8. What are Branch County Jail visitation hours?
Official Securus video visits are available Tuesday through Sunday, with no visits on Monday, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Visits must be scheduled by a non-inmate at least 24 hours in advance. Call 517-278-2942 for questions.
9. What can I mail to a Branch County inmate?
Ordinary inmate mail is limited to metered, unstamped, plain white postcards no larger than 6 by 8 inches. Writing must be in pencil or blue or black ink. No property may be mailed or dropped off, and stamps or writing supplies must be purchased through commissary.
10. What extra fees apply when someone is booked on warrants?
Branch County currently publishes a $12 fee for every booking and an additional $10 for each warrant. These charges may be requested in addition to the bond required for release.

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