Forms

If you are coming in to discuss a criminal case, it is very helpful for you to bring a copy of your police report with you. By law, unless your case falls under a few exceptions, governmental agencies are required to provide you with a copy of your report under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, otherwise known as “FOIA.”

Below you will find some sample language to make a FOIA request. Obviously, you must insert your case infomation and the name of the county prosecutor’s or city attorney’s office that has your case.

(Insert date)

(Insert name of prosecuting office)
(Insert address of prosecuting office)

To Whom It May Concern:

Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I am requesting a copy of the the police report in ___________ Court case number_____________(insert the court and case number or ticket number).  It is a case where I am a defendant.

I am willing to pay reasonable copying charges but please let me know if the charge will exceed $15.00.  I would like this information within 5 days as required by law.  Contact me when it is ready and I will pick it up or let you know where to mail it.  My phone number is_________________.  Thank you.

(Sign and print your name here)

If you have been arrested for drunk driving, there is a possibility that a video tape of the arrest and/or traffic stop exists. It is very important to make a request for tapes if they exist because police departments do not always keep them for trials. Use the following language for a FOIA request for a video. REMEMBER TO ADDRESS THE REQUEST DIRECTLY TO THE POLICE AGENCY THAT ARRESTED YOU, NOT THE PROSECUTOR.
(Insert date)

(Insert name of prosecuting office)
(Insert address of prosecuting office)

To Whom It May Concern:

Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I am requesting a copy of the the police report in ___________ Court case number_____________(insert the court and case number or ticket number).  It is a case where I am a defendant.

I am willing to pay reasonable copying charges but please let me know if the charge will exceed $15.00.  I would like this information within 5 days as required by law.  Contact me when it is ready and I will pick it up or let you know where to mail it.  My phone number is_________________.  Thank you.

(Sign and print your name here)

The address for the Emmet County Prosecutor’s office is: 
Emmet County Prosecutor
200 Division Street
Petoskey, MI 49770

The address for the Charlevoix County Prosecutor’s office is: 
Charlevoix County Prosecutor
301 State Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720