Data You Give Us Directly
Search Queries
A name or location entered in a search tool is sent directly to the outside company operating that tool. The provider processes the query and supplies its results. Benzie County Criminal History does not keep or log those search terms on its own systems.
Messages and Contact Submissions
An email may be retained long enough to review and answer it. Messages remain within the operating team unless disclosure is required by law.
Data We Gather Automatically
When a page loads, the server may receive routine technical information about the visit:
- The IP address assigned to your device
- Which browser you are using and its version
- Your device type and operating system
- The pages you visited and how long you stayed on each
- The site that sent you here, if any
- Timestamps for each page view
Cookies and Analytics
Cookies are small files stored on a device. They help measure traffic, popular pages, and where a visit ends. Analytics providers may combine that information into broad usage reports. A browser can block or remove cookies, although some site functions may then work differently.
What We Do With This Data
- Delivering pages and maintaining reliable performance
- Routing a submitted query to the selected search partner
- Measuring which information visitors use most often
- Diagnosing errors and other technical problems
- Selecting advertising that may be relevant to a visitor
No Criminal-Record Data on File
This site does not maintain, compile, or sell a database of personal criminal records. It publishes general directions to Benzie County custodians, Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, and the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry. It is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Visitor data is not assembled into consumer reports or third-party criminal profiles.
Third-Party Search Partners
Outside companies operate the search boxes. Their privacy terms, retention periods, and sharing rules apply to data submitted through those tools. Review the provider's policy before running a query because this site cannot control that processing.
Links to Other Websites
Links may lead to the Benzie County Sheriff's Office, Michigan courts, state agencies, legal aid resources, and search providers. Once a visitor leaves this site, the destination's privacy policy controls. Read those terms before supplying personal information.
Advertising providers may measure activity across websites to select ads. That tracking occurs through their services and policies.
Who Might See Your Data
Personal data is not sold. Limited information may be available to:
- Analytics providers that measure site use and performance
- Search partners that process a visitor's submitted query
- Advertising networks that deliver ads on these pages
- Government or law-enforcement bodies acting under a valid legal order
How We Protect Your Data
Reasonable, standard safeguards are used for collected data. No internet service can guarantee absolute security, so the site cannot promise that a breach or loss will never occur.
Users Under 18
The site is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. Information identified as belonging to a minor will be deleted when required.
Your Data Rights
Rights can differ by a visitor's place of residence. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq., governs requests to Michigan public bodies, while MCL 28.243 governs the collection and dissemination of Michigan criminal history information. Those laws do not turn this private site into a government records office. Where applicable privacy or consumer law provides a right, a visitor may:
- Request access to personal information held by this site
- Ask that inaccurate personal information be corrected
- Seek deletion when the governing law allows it
- Opt out of covered forms of data processing
Updates to This Policy
This policy may be revised as site practices or legal requirements change. A revised version will appear here with its new effective date.
Effective date: July 27, 2026