MI Public Records Law

Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

MCL 15.231 et seq.

Initial response

5 business days

Final response

15 business days

Penalties

Per-day + fee shifting

Attorney fees

Mandatory

ALPR exemption

None

Burden of proof

On the agency

Response timeline

Agency must respond within 5 business days with a one-time extension of up to 10 additional business days (15 total). Response must be in writing, granting or denying the request in whole or in part. Failure to respond is a deemed denial.

Appeal process

Administrative appeal required?: No, can go directly to court
Appeal response deadline: 10 business days
Appeals body: Head of public body or Circuit Court

Enforcement

Court action: Civil action in Circuit Court
Filing fee: ~$175
Filing deadline: 180 days from final denial
Attorney fee trigger: Court shall award reasonable attorney fees, costs, and disbursements to a prevailing requester. Civil fines of $2,500–$7,500 per occurrence for willful and intentional noncompliance. MCL 15.240.

Fees

Search fees: Allowed
Electronic delivery: Required when requested

Fees must be based on actual incremental labor and duplication costs, using the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the work. Requesters may specify the format (electronic or paper). Agencies must provide a detailed itemization of fees.

ALPR-specific provisions

Favorable

No ALPR-specific exemption. ALPR data is subject to standard FOIA exemptions only. No ALPR-specific public records exemption. ALPR data is subject to standard Michigan FOIA exemptions.

Exemptions to watch for

These are the exemptions agencies most commonly invoke to deny surveillance records requests. Knowing them helps you anticipate and counter a denial.

Law enforcement investigation records
Personal privacy (personnel, student, patient records)
Endanger life or physical safety
Trade secrets and commercial information
Attorney-client privileged communications
Homeland security and cybersecurity information

Agencies in Michigan

Detroit Police Department

Detroit active

Grand Rapids Police Department

Grand Rapids active

Generate a request letter

For Detroit Police Department

When to use

You want to see what the cameras actually recorded — plates, vehicle descriptions, images, timestamps.

Your name

Your mailing address

Your email

Date of interest

Start time

End time

Location (road, intersection, or area) (optional)

Cost cap ($) (optional)

Generated letter

To: Records Access Officer From: [Your Name] Date: 2026-08-30 Subject: FOIA Request — ALPR/Flock Safety Detection Data Dear Records Access Officer: Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.), I request access to and copies of the following records: All automated license plate reader (ALPR) detection logs, images, and associated metadata captured by any ALPR device (including but not limited to Flock Safety cameras) operated by or on behalf of Detroit Police Department during the following time period: Date: [Date] Time: [Start Time] to [End Time] This includes but is not limited to: license plate numbers, vehicle make/model/color, vehicle images, detection timestamps, camera identification numbers, and any alerts generated. I request that records be provided in electronic format pursuant to MCL 15.234(1). If fulfilling this request will cost more than $25, please provide a detailed itemized estimate before proceeding. I expect a response within five business days as required by MCL 15.235(2). If you deny any portion of this request, please provide a written notice explaining the basis for the denial and citing the specific statutory exemption. Thank you for your assistance. [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Email]