FOIA Request to Lake County Sheriff’s Office regarding 2023 arrest records on September 24, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by Great Lakes Wire to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan. The request, sent on September 24, 2025, seeks access to all arrest records from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The requested data includes detailed information such as the arrestee’s name, sex, race, age, date of birth, and citizenship status. Additionally, it asks for booking IDs, dates of arrest, booking photos, names of arresting officers, types of crimes committed, locations and dates of these crimes.
The FOIA request is made under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.231 et seq., with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format. As a media organization dedicated to covering local governmental affairs comprehensively and accurately, Great Lakes Wire emphasizes that access to these public records is crucial for their role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.
The requester also notes their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
Great Lakes Wire has requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media professional involved in disseminating news to the public.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
