Muskegon County is situated in western Michigan adjacent to Lake Michigan, and has a population of approximately 175,000 residents. The county is recognized as the 16th most populous jurisdiction within the state, comprising approximately 1.7% of the total state population. Its economy is driven by manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. The major cities and towns in the county include Muskegon (county seat), Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, Roosevelt Park, North Muskegon, Whitehall, Montague, and Fruitport.
The average violent crime rate recorded in Muskegon County is 119.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, a figure 12.6% higher than the national average. Property crime averages 253.1 incidents per 100,000 residents, amounting to a rate 54.7% higher than the national average.
The primary law enforcement agency in the county is the Muskegon County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). The Office of the County Sheriff oversees the Muskegon County Jail and serves as the central public contact for law enforcement matters in the county.
The Muskegon County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) is responsible for maintaining county-level records, including arrests, jail bookings, inmate releases, and most warrants. Other agencies, such as municipal police, Michigan State Police, and federal authorities are authorized to conduct arrests and generate incident reports.. These records are centralized under MCSO's custody upon the individual's booking into the Muskegon County Jail.
Muskegon County is served by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and federal authorities.
The Muskegon County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary repository for county-level arrest logs and jail rosters. The office is responsible for handling:
Local police departments operate within Muskegon County, such as those in Muskegon and Norton Shores. Although city police often make arrests, detainees are typically booked into the Muskegon County Jail, and the Sheriff's Office oversees their jail records
Municipal police are responsible for making arrests within their own city boundaries and keeping records of those arrests or incidents.
The Michigan State Police function similarly to the state police and conduct highway stops or investigate statewide or interjurisdictional crimes. When an arrest occurs in Muskegon County, the individual is typically booked into the Muskegon County jail, and the arrest records may appear in county logs.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security, exercise jurisdiction over crimes that transcend local boundaries, such as cybercrime, immigration violations, drug trafficking, and terrorism. Federal arrests ordinarily do not appear in Muskegon County records unless the person is temporarily detained in the county jail.
University and College PDs oversee safety and law enforcement on campus, and their jurisdiction covers incidents and arrests within university property, with detainees generally processed at the county jail. Muskegon County hosts the following university/college police departments mentioned below:
Muskegon County does have joint task force participation, most notably through the West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET). It focuses on major drug trafficking and money laundering crimes throughout West Michigan. The West Michigan Enforcement Team is comprised of officers from law enforcement agencies across Ottawa, Muskegon, and Allegan Counties. They may be contacted at:
Address: 3580 N Oceana Drive
Hart, MI 49420
Phone: (231) 873‑2171
The arrest records maintained by Muskegon County customarily include the following information:
The precise information included in arrest records is subject to variation across different agencies, jurisdictions, and case types. The dissemination of certain details may be restricted to comply with privacy statutes, juvenile protection laws, or the requirements of an ongoing investigation.
Annually, law enforcement agencies within Muskegon County report approximately 790 violent crimes and 3,550 property crimes. The mean violent crime rate is calculated at 119.6 per 100,000 residents, which represents a 12.6% increase relative to the national average. The property crime rate in the county averages 253.1 per 100,000 residents, a figure 54.7% higher than the national average.
A summary of the arrest data compiled for Muskegon County is presented in the table below:
Arrest Total | Yearly Average |
|---|---|
Arrest Rate per 100,000 | 1,900 |
Total Number of Arrests | 3,340 |
Crime Type | |
Murder | 10 |
Rape | 160 |
Robbery | 50 |
Aggravated Assault | 560 |
Burglary | 407 |
Larceny | 2,845 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 305 |
Arson | 34 |
Source: MICR Annual Report
Public arrest records in Muskegon County may list several types of warrants. These warrants are issued by the courts for various legal purposes and may lead to an individual's arrest and booking into the county jail. While terminology and procedures may differ somewhat under state law, the most common warrant categories are outlined below:
An arrest warrant is issued when law enforcement or a prosecutor shows probable cause that a person committed a crime. These warrants often appear in arrest logs and can be executed by authorized officers.
A bench warrant is issued by a judge when someone fails to appear in court or comply with a court order. It is one of the most common warrant types found in county arrest records.
A civil capias warrant is issued in civil court cases when someone disobeys a court order, such as failing to appear or comply. It can lead to arrest and booking despite originating in a civil matter.
A fugitive warrant is issued when a person is wanted in another county or state. Such cases often involve extradition and will show up in county arrest logs if the person is arrested locally.
A governor's warrant is a formal warrant issued by a state governor to initiate extradition between states. While less common, it can appear in arrest or court records for interstate cases.
A search warrant authorizes law enforcement to search property or seize evidence. While not issuing arrest warrants, searches may lead to arrests and be reflected in related cases or arrest reports.
Muskegon County provides multiple official avenues for the retrieval of arrest and detention documentation. Authorized parties may conduct inquiries regarding active warrants and custody status by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly or utilizing the county's centralized online inmate information portal.
Legal proceedings and case-related data are centralized within the MiCOURT Case Search portal, which provides statewide access to judicial records. Additionally, Muskegon County utilizes the Michigan Victim Information and Notification Everyday (MI-VINE) system, a service that allows registered individuals to receive automated, real-time alerts regarding changes in inmate custody status or pending releases.
Alternatively, official records are obtainable from the Muskegon County Sheriff's Office, the correctional facility, or the Clerk of the Court via in-person visits, phone, or email. In accordance with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the public may submit formal requests for documentation, provided they furnish valid identification and remit any required administrative fees.
Listed below are the jail and detention facilities located within Muskegon County:
Agency Name: Muskegon County Sheriff's Office
City: Muskegon, Michigan
Type: County law enforcement agency
Address: 990 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49442
Phone Number: (231) 724-6351 (Administration)
Staffing: The Muskegon County Sheriff's Office maintains a workforce of approximately 51 to 200 personnel.
Police Department | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Muskegon Police Department | 980 Jefferson St., Muskegon, MI 49440 | (231) 724-6750 |
Muskegon Heights Police Department | 2715 Baker St., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444 | (231) 733-8900 |
Norton Shores Police Department | 4814 Henry St., Norton Shores, MI 49441 | (231) 733-2691 |
North Muskegon Police Department | 1114 Ruddiman Dr., North Muskegon, MI 49445 | (231) 744-4313 |
Whitehall Police Department | 405 E Colby St., Whitehall, MI 49461 | (231) 894-2317 |
Muskegon Township Police Department | 1990 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442 | (231) 777-1666 |
Roosevelt Park Police Department | 900 Oakridge Rd, Muskegon, MI 49441 | (231) 755-3721 |
Fruitport Police Department | 5825 Airline Rd, Fruitport, MI 49415 | (231) 865-8477 |
Montague Police Department | 8778 Ferry St., Montague, MI 49437 | (231) 893-0810 |
Agency Name: Muskegon County Correctional Facility
State: Michigan
City: Muskegon
Type: County detention facility
Address: 25 West Walton Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442
Phone Number: (231) 724-7113
Facility Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Muskegon County Jail | 25 West Walton Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442 | (231) 724-7113 |
Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility (ECF) | 2500 S Sheridan Dr, Muskegon, MI 49444 | (231) 773-9200 |
Muskegon Correctional Facility (MCF) | 2400 S Sheridan Dr, Muskegon, MI | (231) 773-3201 |