Bay County Jail Inmate Search 2026 – Arrest Records & Mugshots Lookup

Search Michigan VINELink

1. Select Michigan if the state is not already displayed.
2. Choose the custody or offender search.
3. Enter the complete legal first and last name.
4. Try a former or alternate surname when necessary.
5. Compare age, facility and custody details.
6. Open the matching record.
7. Register for notifications when available.

Call the Bay County Sheriff

Phone: 989-895-4050

Location:
Bay County Law Enforcement Center
503 Third Street
Bay City, MI 48708

1. Provide the full legal name and birth date.
2. Ask whether the person is currently in custody.
3. Ask whether booking is complete.
4. Obtain the inmate number.
5. Confirm the bond amount and type.
6. Ask whether another hold exists.

1. Is the person currently in custody?
2. Is booking complete?
3. What exact name is used?
4. What is the inmate number?
5. Has the court set bond?
6. What is the bond type?
7. Does another agency hold exist?
8. Which court and case number apply?
9. What is the medical-information procedure?
10. Which Smart Communications service is needed?

• Name exactly as booked
• Inmate number
• Booking date
• Current charges
• Bond amount and type
• Every other hold
• 74th District Court case number
• Arraignment or next hearing
• Attorney’s name

• Whether the person is guilty
• What plea should be entered
• Whether charges will be dismissed
• How the judge will rule
• Which private lawyer should be hired
• Whether a witness should be contacted
• When the case will end

Weekdays around 1:30 p.m.

Bay County states that jail arraignments are generally held Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, at approximately 1:30 p.m.

The exact start depends on the presiding judge’s workload. Court staff should be contacted to verify the time and appearance method.

• The charge is stated.
• Rights are explained.
• Bond may be set or reviewed.
• Counsel may be requested.
• The next court event is scheduled.

Bay County Court Facility

1230 Washington Avenue
Bay City, MI 48708

• Visitors pass through a metal detector.
• Packages and briefcases may be x-rayed.
• Cell phones are not permitted in the Court Facility.
• Lighters are not permitted.
• The assigned courtroom can change.

Cash, money order or certified check

Bay County states that bond money may be provided in:

• Cash
• Money order
• Certified check

A money order or certified check must be made payable to the prisoner. Personal checks are not accepted for bonding.

ExpressAccount bond payment

1. Call 989-895-4050 and verify the current bond.
2. Confirm that no other hold prevents release.
3. Select Bay County and the correct inmate.
4. Choose the bond-payment option, not commissary.
5. Review the processing fee.
6. Save the receipt and confirmation number.
7. Call the jail to confirm that payment was received.

Misdemeanors and early felony proceedings

The 74th District Court handles Bay County misdemeanors, criminal traffic matters and preliminary examinations in felony cases.

Address:
1230 Washington Avenue, Suite 747
Bay City, MI 48708

Phone: 989-895-4232
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Felony proceedings after bindover

A felony case that proceeds beyond the District Court preliminary stage generally continues in Bay County’s 18th Judicial Circuit Court.

Address:
1230 Washington Avenue
Bay City, MI 48708

Phone: 989-895-4265
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

• Charge and maximum possible penalty
• Guilty or not-guilty plea opportunity
• Bond decision
• Next hearing date
• Appointment of counsel when approved

• Do not join a lawyer meeting unless counsel approves.
• Do not discuss case facts on a normal jail call.
• Do not ask family members to contact witnesses.
• Do not delete messages, video or social posts.
• Do not publish the booking online.

Smart Communications

Bay County currently identifies Smart Communications as its inmate communication provider.

1. Confirm the inmate remains in Bay County custody.
2. Obtain the full booked name and inmate number.
3. Create the provider account using accurate identification.
4. Select Bay County Jail.
5. Connect to the correct inmate.
6. Review available visit times and fees.
7. Schedule the visit and save the confirmation.

Confirm rules and availability

• Confirm the inmate is eligible to visit.
• Verify whether the visit is remote or at a lobby terminal.
• Review identification requirements.
• Review rules for minors.
• Choose a quiet and private location.
• Test the camera, microphone and internet.
• Join early enough to solve login problems.

Telephone account steps

1. Confirm the inmate number.
2. Confirm the telephone number the inmate will call.
3. Ask whether the call will be collect or prepaid.
4. Create the Smart Communications account.
5. Review rates and fees before funding.
6. Check whether your carrier blocks collect calls.
7. Save the payment confirmation.

When calls do not connect

• Check that the correct phone number was added.
• Disable spam or unknown-call blocking temporarily.
• Ask the provider whether the number is blocked.
• Confirm that the inmate still has phone privileges.
• Confirm that the inmate was not transferred.
• Do not ask jail staff to pass a routine message.

The jail will not mail it back

If an item is rejected, it may be placed in the inmate’s property. The inmate must complete a property-release form naming the person who may retrieve it.

That person must come to the jail, take possession of the item and handle any return or refund with the seller.

1. Confirm the person remains in Bay County custody.
2. Confirm the booked name and inmate number.
3. Ask whether the title and format are allowed.
4. Ask whether used books are accepted.
5. Use a recognized direct vendor.
6. Do not include gift messages that violate mail rules.

Front foyer of the Law Enforcement Center

503 Third Street
Bay City, MI 48708

1. Confirm the person remains in custody.
2. Bring the exact booked name.
3. Use the front-foyer kiosk during published hours.
4. Select commissary—not bond—when that is your purpose.
5. Review the fee.
6. Save the receipt.

Use ExpressAccount

Telephone: 866-422-6833

1. Select Bay County Jail in Michigan.
2. Enter the correct inmate’s name.
3. Select commissary deposit.
4. Stay within the published weekly limit.
5. Review the fee before confirming.
6. Keep the transaction number.

Property-release workflow

1. The inmate completes a written property-release request.
2. The inmate names the authorized recipient.
3. The recipient calls the jail before traveling.
4. The recipient brings approved identification.
5. The recipient signs for the released property.
6. The recipient checks the property before leaving when allowed.

Before a state-prison transfer

• Ask whether a transfer date is approaching.
• Have the inmate complete the property release.
• Confirm pickup hours.
• Collect all property before departure.
• Do not assume Bay County will store it indefinitely.

• Full booked name
• Inmate number
• Medication name and dose
• Last dose taken
• Prescribing physician
• Pharmacy telephone number
• Known allergies
• Diabetes, seizure or heart condition
• Withdrawal or suicide concern
• Mobility, hearing or communication need

• Confirm that release was formally authorized.
• Confirm payment was received.
• Confirm all other holds cleared.
• Ask whether the person has returned from court.
• Ask which entrance is used.
• Do not demand an exact minute of release.

1. Read every bond condition.
2. Save the court date in two calendars.
3. Contact the defense attorney.
4. Complete pretrial-supervision registration if ordered.
5. Follow testing, tether or reporting instructions.
6. Do not contact protected people.
7. Restore medication and health care.

• Complete requester name
• Requester address
• Valid phone number or email
• Relevant department
• Names, dates and location
• Specific record description

Five business days

Bay County generally responds within five business days and may issue one extension of up to ten additional business days.

Fees or a deposit may be required before records are released.