Michigan Reviewer's Comments

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry offers the standard search option plus the ability to search by age or age range and a search of post-secondary schools throughout the state. Michigan also offers Email Alerts, allowing residents to be notified when a registered sex offender moves into a selected area. With the addition of work addresses and an interactive map, Michigan’s site would provide an even better public service. 

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Information Provided:  

Each offender’s profile is one page long and organized well. Along with a large color photograph is a detailed physical description. The description includes height, weight, age, and known scars, marks and tattoos. Residence and school addresses are included along with the date of registration expiration. If that date is life, you know the offense was one of the most severe.

Offense information is limited to offense name, state of occurrence, conviction date, court name and a link to state statute. 

Search Functions:  

Michigan offers a more flexible search than many sites in this range. Notably, it includes a search for offenders in a selected school, both students and employees. You can also search the database by first name, last name, estimated age with a choice of expanding the age to a range of +/- 5 years or +/- 10 years, and geographical area. The results list includes a full color image along with the offender’s name, address, county and a link to the profile page. There is a limit of 200 results per search, so you may have to refine your criteria to reduce the number of results. 

Additional Site Features:  

You can register for email alerts. Enter up to six zip codes and you’ll receive an email when a registered sex offender moves into those zip codes. This is an excellent option for parents who want to keep up to date on their neighborhood. Michigan provides legal information and a thorough FAQs page. 

Ease of Use:  

Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry is easy to navigate and produces reliable search results. 

Contact Information:  

Contact the Michigan State Police by email or phone. 

Summary:  

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry offers an additional search—by educational institution—above and beyond the standard searches typical in this range. Michigan also provides Email Alerts, one of only 10 states in the nation to do so. Continuing with this responsive approach, Michigan should add offense details, an interactive map and helpful safety and prevention information.