Southfield Arrest Records: Jail, Inmate & Court Search

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Southfield, Michigan local arrest and inmate guide

Southfield Police, Oakland County Jail and 46th District Court Search

A Southfield arrest can produce separate records at three offices. Southfield Police maintains the incident report, arrest paperwork and related evidence records; Oakland County Jail provides current inmate, bond and family-service information; and the 46th District Court maintains the filed misdemeanor case or the first stages of a felony case.

This guide shows how to locate a recently arrested person, obtain the correct police or court record, check a warrant-resolution option, verify bond, request an older jail file, and handle urgent family needs involving medication, calls, visitation, money, mail, legal counsel, property, release or transfer.

Find a recently arrested person Request a Southfield report
Southfield Police report steps Oakland inmate and bond help 46th District Court case route
ARREST RECORD
SOUTHFIELD
POLICE
46TH
COURT
OAKLAND
JAIL
CASE
HUB
RECORD
ROUTED
1CHECK CUSTODY
2VERIFY COURT
3REQUEST FILE
An arrest does not establish guilt. The offense shown in a jail or police record may be an initial allegation. Prosecutors can amend, add, dismiss or decline charges, and a court may later acquit the defendant. Confirm the filed case and final disposition before using or sharing the information.

Choose the correct Southfield arrest-record office

Information needed Correct office What it provides What it does not replace
Immediate custody location Southfield Police or Oakland County Jail Whether the person remains in local processing, was released or entered county custody. The formal criminal court record.
Southfield incident or arrest report Southfield Police Records Bureau Available incident reports, accident reports and arrest paperwork. The court complaint or jail record.
Body-camera, dispatch or additional material Southfield City Clerk FOIA Available nonexempt city records identified in a focused written request. Criminal discovery provided to a defendant or attorney.
Current inmate and family services Oakland County Jail Current inmate information, bond-payment route, calls, visits, mail and deposits. Court confirmation of the charge or bond type.
Southfield criminal case 46th District Court Arraignment, district charge, bond, attorney, hearings and disposition. Southfield Police evidence or reports.
Felony after bindover Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court Circuit felony case, judge, filings, plea, trial and sentencing record. The earlier 46th District Court docket.
Historical jail file Oakland County Sheriff Records Unit Available inmate jail files, proof of incarceration and retained sheriff records. The Southfield Police incident file.
Statewide Michigan criminal history Michigan State Police ICHAT Publicly available reportable Michigan criminal-history information. Current custody, warrant confirmation or certified court records.

Get a Southfield police or arrest report

Hours, fee and report timing

The Records Bureau currently lists regular hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

The current published fee for an incident or traffic-accident report is $8. Reports are generally available about 48–72 hours after the incident.

Who can obtain a routine report: the requester’s name must generally appear in the report, or the requester must present notarized authorization. Picture identification is required. Protected addresses, telephone numbers, victim details, witness information, suspect information and medical data may be removed.

Police-report copy steps

Official route› Southfield Records Bureau ›Confirm report ›Bring ID ›Pay fee
  1. Find the Southfield Police report number when available.
  2. Wait approximately 48–72 hours for a routine completed report.
  3. Call 248-796-5580 to confirm availability.
  4. Provide the incident date, time, address and involved name.
  5. Ask whether your name appears in the report.
  6. Obtain notarized authorization when required.
  7. Bring government-issued picture identification.
  8. Pay the current $8 report fee.
  9. Review the copy for supplements, redactions and missing attachments.

Except for LiveScan fingerprint fees, the Records Bureau states that fees may be paid by cash, check, money order or credit card. A 2% convenience fee applies to credit-card payments.

Incident report

Police narrative

May contain dispatch information, officer observations, involved people, alleged conduct, property and other releasable details.

Case follow-up

Detective status

For investigation or prosecution-status questions, call the Detective Bureau at 248-796-5540 and provide the police report number.

Crash report

CLEMIS copy

Traffic-crash reports may also be purchased through Oakland County’s CLEMIS payment service.

Open CLEMIS reports

Request Southfield body-camera, dispatch or additional records

Use a focused Michigan FOIA request when the routine $8 report does not include the record you need, such as body-camera footage, dash-camera video, dispatch logs, photographs, supplements or a defined investigative record.

Records commonly requested

  • Incident report
  • Arrest paperwork
  • Dispatch or CAD log
  • Body-camera footage
  • Dash-camera footage
  • Scene photographs
  • Property inventory
  • Use-of-force record
  • Supplemental reports
  • Available audio recordings

Focused Southfield FOIA steps

Open› Southfield City Clerk ›FOIA Requests ›Identify police record ›Submit
  1. Identify the Southfield Police report number when known.
  2. Provide the incident date, approximate time and exact location.
  3. Include the arrested person’s legal name and birth date when relevant.
  4. List each video, audio, photograph or document separately.
  5. Use a narrow date and time range for recordings.
  6. Request electronic copies where practical.
  7. State a maximum fee before additional approval is required.
  8. Keep a copy and proof of delivery.

“Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I request available nonexempt records concerning the arrest or incident involving [full name and date of birth] on [date] at [Southfield location], including the incident report, arrest paperwork, dispatch log, body-camera footage, dash-camera footage, photographs and property inventory. The Southfield Police report number is [number]. Please provide an itemized fee estimate before costs exceed $[amount].”

Possible restrictions: active-investigation, privacy, medical, juvenile, confidential-source and security exemptions may apply. A response can provide part of the record with redactions while withholding legally exempt information.
FOIA is not criminal discovery. A defendant or defense attorney should use the prosecutor and court discovery process for evidence needed to defend the pending case.

Why a recent Southfield arrest may show no inmate result

Possible reason What may have happened Best next step
Still at Southfield Police Identification, interview, fingerprinting or warrant review remains underway. Call 248-796-5500.
Booking not public yet Transport, medical screening or county system entry remains pending. Call 248-858-1800 and search again.
Released locally The person may have received a citation, posted interim bond or been released pending court. Search or call the 46th District Court.
Medical clearance The person may remain under police authority at a hospital. Ask Southfield Police whether transfer is pending.
Name variation The booking uses another surname, alias, suffix or spelling. Search fewer fields and compare the date of birth.
Another jurisdiction An outside warrant, federal case or another county may control custody. Ask which agency accepted the person.
Transferred to MDOC A later sentence may move the person into state-prison jurisdiction. Search MDOC OTIS.

Southfield warrant and walk-in arraignment help

Walk-in misdemeanor arraignment

The 46th District Court currently conducts in-person walk-in arraignments at 8:30 a.m. on weekdays.

The court FAQ states that people appearing for misdemeanor tickets or warrants must check in by 9 a.m.

Felony or domestic warrant

The court directs defendants with felony or domestic warrants to the Police Department for processing and video arraignment rather than using the ordinary non-domestic misdemeanor walk-in route.

Call the court and Southfield Police before appearing so you understand the correct procedure.

Online review for qualifying warrants

Open› 46th Court Online Case Review ›Search name ›Check eligibility ›Submit request

The court offers online review for certain misdemeanor and other non-felony bench warrants. Eligibility depends on the case. An online submission does not guarantee that a warrant will be recalled or that an in-person appearance will be waived.

Do not rely on a commercial warrant-search website. Verify warrant status and appearance instructions directly with the 46th District Court or Southfield Police. Legal advice may be useful before appearing on a serious, domestic, felony or probation-related warrant.

Follow a Southfield felony into Oakland County Circuit Court

When the court changes

A felony generally begins at the 46th District Court. If the defendant is bound over after preliminary proceedings, later felony events continue in the Oakland County Sixth Judicial Circuit Court.

Keep both the district and circuit case numbers because they may differ.

6CC

Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court

1200 N. Telegraph Road
Department 404
Pontiac, MI 48341

Circuit Court: 248-858-0344
Legal Records: 248-858-0582
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Court Explorer steps

Open› Oakland Court Explorer ›Criminal felony ›Name or case ›Open record
  1. Use the circuit-court case number when known.
  2. Otherwise search the defendant’s complete legal name.
  3. Match the result to the Southfield or 46th District Court case.
  4. Review the assigned judge, parties and attorney.
  5. Open the register of actions.
  6. Order regular or certified documents only when the underlying filing is required.

Court Explorer is not the official certified record and should not be treated as a complete criminal-background check.

How to read a Southfield arrest, jail or court result

Record field What it means What to verify next
Southfield Police report number City identifier for the incident or investigation. Use it with Police Records, the Detective Bureau and FOIA.
Oakland inmate number County jail identifier for the incarcerated person. Use it for calls, visits, mail, deposits and property.
46th District case number District-court judicial file number. Use it for MiCOURT, clerk calls and document requests.
Circuit case number Felony file number after bindover. Search Court Explorer and keep the district number separately.
Booking charge Allegation or warrant entered during jail admission. Compare it with the prosecutor’s formal complaint.
Bond amount Listed release amount for a charge or case. Confirm the bond type, accepted payment and every other hold.
Hold or detainer Another court, county, probation office or agency may require continued custody. Ask whether it prevents release after the Southfield bond is paid.
Register of actions Chronological list of court filings, hearings and orders. Request the actual document when the summary is insufficient.
Released The person left the listed jail booking. Determine whether release was to the community, another jail, federal custody or MDOC.

Verify and post bond after a Southfield arrest

No deposit

Personal recognizance

The defendant may be released on a promise to appear and comply with every court condition.

Court amount

Cash bond

The full amount must be paid using a method accepted by the jail or court.

Percentage option

Percentage bond

A percentage deposit is permitted only when the judge’s order specifically authorizes it.

Approved agent

Surety bond

A bail bond agent may execute the bond when the order permits surety.

Oakland County bond-payment checklist

  1. Copy every case number, charge and hold.
  2. Confirm the current order with the 46th District Court or Oakland County Jail.
  3. Ask whether the bond is cash, percentage, surety, interim or another type.
  4. Confirm whether another warrant or detainer prevents release.
  5. Ask which payment method is accepted.
  6. Use the jail Bonding Area when appropriate; it operates 24 hours.
  7. Request a receipt identifying the defendant and case.
  8. Allow additional time for release processing.

Oakland County Jail accepts qualifying bonds using cash, credit card, cashier’s check payable to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office or a bail bond agent. Cash bonds of $10,000 or more are processed through the court of jurisdiction.

Using inmate funds for bond: Oakland County permits money in an inmate account to be used toward bond with the inmate’s approval. Notify the Visitation or Bonding officer before depositing money that must be reserved for bond.
The jail does not accept Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency for bond. Independently call the court or jail before following any payment demand received by telephone, text, email or social media.

What family should do after locating the inmate

Save every identifier

Keep the Southfield Police report number, Oakland inmate number and court case number separately labeled.

Confirm arraignment and the next hearing

Use MiCOURT and call the Misdemeanor/Felony Division when the case is too new or unclear.

Identify legal representation

Ask whether retained counsel appeared or whether appointed-counsel screening began.

Report medication and mental-health concerns

Use the Oakland County medication hotline, Program Services or Shift Supervisor route listed below.

Create the correct calling account

Use Smart Communications and the current inmate number. Confirm whether funds are for calls, video or trust deposits.

Schedule visitation

Upload valid identification and schedule at least 24 hours in advance.

Use the approved mail address

Do not send standard personal mail directly to the jail’s Pontiac street address.

Recover property or a vehicle

Call Oakland County for inmate property and Southfield Police for police-held evidence or impound questions.

Monitor custody changes

Recheck after arraignment, bond review, preliminary examination, plea, sentence or transfer.

Prepare for release conditions

Arrange transportation, housing, medication and compliance with no-contact, testing, tether, travel or reporting conditions.

Recorded-call warning: ordinary inmate calls, electronic messages and visits may be monitored or recorded. Do not discuss evidence, witnesses, alleged victims, passwords or instructions to hide or delete information.

Oakland County inmate calls and visitation

Telephone calls

  • Provider: Smart Communications;
  • Support: 888-253-5178;
  • Current published rate: $0.06 per minute;
  • One free 15-minute call per inmate per day;
  • The initial booking call is limited to three minutes;
  • Outgoing calls are recorded;
  • Properly registered defense-attorney calls are not recorded.

Video visitation

  • One free and one paid visit per inmate each week;
  • Schedule at least 24 hours ahead;
  • Appointments may be scheduled up to two weeks ahead;
  • Visits may be 15 or 30 minutes;
  • Onsite visits have no visit charge;
  • Remote visits cost $0.11 per minute;
  • Government-issued photo identification is required.
Visit category Current schedule Important rule
Social visits Wednesday–Friday, 1:15–8:15 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 9:15 a.m.–7 p.m. No social visits are scheduled on Monday or Tuesday.
Professional visits Daily, 7:15 a.m.–8:45 p.m. Attorneys and approved professionals must follow the professional-visit process.
Visitor limit One registered adult and one child. Only the registered adult may participate in the scheduled visit.
Visits can change without advance notice. Court transport, housing movement, medical observation, discipline, lockdown or release processing can delay or cancel an appointment.
Open Oakland visitation rules Open Smart Communications

Send money or mail to an Oakland County inmate

Inmate trust-account deposits

Use Smart Communications for the available online deposit methods. Cash or a money order may also be delivered to the Main Jail Visitation area. Checks are not accepted.

Clearly write the inmate’s full name and current inmate number on a money order.

Separate balances: trust-account money cannot automatically be used for inmate telephone calls or tablet credits.

Standard personal mail

Oakland County Jail
Inmate Name – Inmate Number
PO Box 9103
Seminole, FL 33775-9103

Do not send ordinary personal mail directly to the jail’s Pontiac street address.

Legal and business mail

Oakland County Jail
Inmate Name – Inmate Number
PO Box 436017
Pontiac, MI 48343

This route is used for qualifying attorney correspondence, court documents, bank statements, magazines and newspapers.

Common mail restrictions

  • No cash or ordinary packages;
  • No photographs or cards larger than 5×7;
  • No tape, glitter, perfume or lipstick;
  • No stamps, envelopes or blank paper;
  • No instant photographs;
  • No more than ten pictures;
  • No sexually explicit material;
  • No food packages.
Ordinary mail and electronic messages are monitored. There is no expectation of privacy for standard inmate correspondence.

Medical, mental-health and property help

Medication

Medication hotline

Call 248-858-1809 with the inmate’s name, number, medication, dose, pharmacy, prescriber and last known dose.

Stability

Program Services

Family or friends concerned about adjustment, crisis or mental-health stability may call 248-858-1731.

Jail property

Oakland property line

Call 248-858-8770 and ask whether the inmate must sign an authorization before pickup.

Police property

Southfield Property Unit

Call 248-796-5510 before traveling to confirm release authorization, appointment needs and available pickup hours.

Southfield police-property hours

  • Monday: 8 a.m.–noon;
  • Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8–10 a.m. and noon–3 p.m.;
  • Wednesday: 8–10 a.m.

Call first. Property may remain unavailable because it is evidence, the prosecutor or court has not authorized release, or the owner has not supplied required identification or authorization.

Immediate safety concern: call inmate information at 248-858-1800 and ask for a Shift Supervisor when there is an urgent self-harm, assault, sexual abuse, withdrawal or serious medical risk.
Medical privacy: jail staff may accept medical information from family but may be legally unable to disclose protected medical details without authorization.

What happens after release or transfer?

Community release

Follow the court order

Confirm the next hearing, no-contact terms, testing, tether, travel restriction, probation instructions and attorney contact.

Another jail

Family services may change

The receiving facility may issue a new inmate number and use different telephone, mail, visitation and money systems.

State prison

Switch to MDOC OTIS

After transfer into Michigan prison jurisdiction, search by name or MDOC number and follow the assigned prison’s family rules.

Release-day checklist

  • Confirm release is final
  • Ask about remaining holds
  • Confirm pickup location
  • Expect processing time
  • Arrange transportation
  • Bring suitable clothing
  • Confirm medication return
  • Review no-contact terms
  • Save the next court date
  • Keep every bond receipt
Oakland scheduled-release procedure: the pickup person checks in at the Bonding window. A current law-enforcement database check is completed before release, and another warrant, hold or detainer may delay the scheduled outdate.
Register with Michigan MI-VINE Search MDOC OTIS

Find an older Southfield arrest after release

Police file

Southfield Records Bureau

Request the available incident report or arrest paperwork and use FOIA for defined additional records.

Jail file

Oakland Sheriff Records

Request an available inmate jail file, proof of incarceration or historical booking record.

Court file

46th or Sixth Circuit

Search the district case and any later circuit felony case for formal charges and final disposition.

State history

Michigan ICHAT

Use ICHAT when available reportable Michigan criminal history beyond Southfield is needed.

OCSO

Oakland County Sheriff Records Unit

1201 N. Telegraph Road
Pontiac, MI 48341

Phone: 248-858-5011
Email: ocsorecords@oakgov.com
Fax: 248-858-1012
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Historical jail-record steps

  1. Provide the person’s full legal name and date of birth.
  2. Include the Oakland inmate number when known.
  3. Give a narrow incarceration date range.
  4. Identify the exact booking, incarceration or release document needed.
  5. Ask whether a routine request or FOIA is appropriate.
  6. Request electronic delivery and a fee estimate.
  7. Use Southfield Police—not Sheriff Records—for the city incident report.

Oakland local jail-history letter

The Sheriff Records Unit can check whether the requesting person was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office or incarcerated at the jail and provide a results letter.

The current published charge is $5. Government-issued identification is required.

Proof of incarceration

A person may request a proof-of-incarceration letter from Oakland Sheriff Records in person with government-issued photo identification.

The current page states that there is no charge. Specify the incarceration dates when more than one admission exists.

Correct, set aside or update an arrest-related record

Problem Office to contact Helpful proof
Wrong Southfield Police information Police Records or assigned detective Documents, photographs, video and a written supplemental statement.
Wrong jail identity or booking data Oakland County Jail or Sheriff Records Photo ID, birth date, booking information and fingerprints when required.
Wrong district-court disposition 46th District Court Dismissal, amended order, judgment or certified register of actions.
Wrong felony disposition Oakland County Legal Records Circuit-court order, judgment or certified record.
Wrong Michigan criminal history Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center Fingerprints and certified court documentation.
Eligible conviction Sentencing court or automatic Clean Slate process Eligibility review, application documents and final set-aside order.
46th District Court certified conviction copy: the court’s current FAQ lists an $11 certification fee when obtaining a certified conviction copy for a misdemeanor set-aside application and advises allowing one to two weeks for processing.
Review MSP record corrections Review Michigan Clean Slate

Southfield arrest, jail and court contacts

46DC

46th District Court

26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48076

Main court: 248-796-5800
Criminal Division: 248-796-5880

OCJ

Oakland County Jail

1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 38E, Pontiac, MI 48341

Inmate information: 248-858-1800
General jail: 248-858-5000

Southfield police, court and Oakland County Jail maps

Routing tip: Southfield Police, the City Clerk and 46th District Court are at the Evergreen Road municipal complex. Oakland County Jail, Sheriff Records and Sixth Circuit Court services are in Pontiac. Confirm the correct office before driving.

Common Southfield arrest-search mistakes

Searching Oakland Jail too soon

The person may still be in Southfield Police processing or awaiting county transport.

Calling the court for the police narrative

The incident report belongs to Southfield Police Records, not the court clerk.

Using the police number in court search

The police report, inmate and court case numbers are separate identifiers.

Requesting a routine report without authorization

The requester’s name must generally appear in the report or notarized authorization is needed.

Treating the booking charge as final

The prosecutor or court may amend, dismiss or replace the allegation.

Paying one bond without checking holds

A separate warrant, probation matter or detainer can prevent release.

Using the walk-in route for every warrant

Felony and domestic warrants are routed differently from qualifying non-domestic misdemeanors.

Sending personal mail to Pontiac

Standard personal mail must use the Smart Communications Seminole address.

Discussing evidence on jail calls

Ordinary calls, messages and visits may be monitored or recorded.

10 essential answers about Southfield arrest records

These ten title-specific answers cover Southfield police reports, Oakland County inmates, 46th District Court cases, warrants, bond and family next steps.

1. How do I find someone arrested in Southfield?
Call Southfield Police at 248-796-5500 to ask whether the person remains in local processing, was released, received medical treatment or was transferred. When transferred, search Oakland County Jail’s official inmate locator or call 248-858-1800.
2. Where are people arrested by Southfield Police held?
A newly arrested person may remain temporarily with Southfield Police. People kept in county custody are generally searched through Oakland County Jail at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac.
3. How do I obtain a Southfield arrest or incident report?
Contact the Southfield Police Records Bureau at 248-796-5580. Reports are generally available 48–72 hours after the incident, the current published fee is $8, picture identification is required and the requester’s name must appear in the report unless notarized authorization is presented.
4. How do I request Southfield body-camera or dispatch records?
Submit a focused Michigan FOIA request through the Southfield City Clerk. Include the police report number, incident date, time, location and each specific video, audio, dispatch, photograph or document requested.
5. Which court handles Southfield criminal cases?
The 46th District Court at 26000 Evergreen Road handles Southfield misdemeanor cases and the initial stages of felony cases. A felony bound over after preliminary proceedings continues in Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court.
6. When are Southfield walk-in arraignments held?
The 46th District Court currently conducts weekday walk-in arraignments at 8:30 a.m. The court FAQ states that misdemeanor ticket or warrant defendants must check in by 9 a.m. Felony and domestic warrants follow a different police-processing route.
7. Why is a recent Southfield arrest missing from the inmate locator?
The person may still be at Southfield Police, awaiting medical clearance or transport, recently released, booked under another spelling or not yet reflected in the public system. Oakland County warns that inmate data may lag by up to 72 hours.
8. How can family verify and pay bond?
Copy every case and hold from the inmate record, then confirm the current bond with the 46th District Court or Oakland County Jail. Qualifying jail bonds may be paid with cash, credit card, cashier’s check or through a bail bond agent.
9. How do I arrange Oakland County inmate calls or visitation?
Use Oakland County’s official inmate and visitation pages to reach Smart Communications. Create an account with the current inmate number, schedule visits at least 24 hours ahead and use valid government-issued identification.
10. How do I find an older Southfield arrest after release?
Request the city police file from Southfield Police Records, request available jail records from Oakland County Sheriff Records, search the 46th District Court and any Sixth Circuit felony case, and use Michigan State Police ICHAT when statewide public criminal history is needed.

Official Southfield arrest-record resources

Southfield police and court

Oakland jail, felony and state records

Accuracy, privacy and legal notice: This page is a public-record and family assistance guide, not legal advice or a complete criminal-background report. Arrest, booking, charge, bond, court, warrant, visitation, mail, telephone, fee, release and office-hour information can change. An arrest does not establish guilt. Verify important legal, medical, safety, payment and release decisions directly with Southfield Police, the 46th District Court, Oakland County Jail or another responsible agency.

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