DUI case dropped, what happes to records?

[elmuchoprez]

This happened in Michigan.

There's a big and unimportant back story here, but suffice it to say a friend of mine was arrested for a DUI. As such, he went through the whole booking process of getting his picture taken, finger prints etc.

Shortly after, the case ended up being dropped for various reasons.

Does anyone know what happens to those finger prints and photos and whatever else they took? Is he, "in the system forever," so to speak or are those documents destroyed since the reason they were collected was dismissed?

[moburkes]

Yes, he is in the system.

[FlyingRon]

After three years if your charges were dropped or you were found not guilty, you can apply for expungement of the arrest records.

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by FlyingRon

After three years if your charges were dropped or you were found not guilty, you can apply for expungement of the arrest records.

You mean, of course, "your friend"!

[fairisfair]

and of course expungement does not mean that the records, fingerprints, photos etc. will be destroyed anyway. .

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by fairisfair

and of course expungement does not mean that the records, fingerprints, photos etc. will be destroyed anyway. .

Correct.

Expungements are public information!