Oceana County Jail Mugshots
Oceana County jail mugshots and arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Hart, Michigan. The county uses the VINE system to let the public check on inmate custody status, though mugshot photos are not posted online. You can file a FOIA request to get booking images and other jail records from this rural west Michigan county.
Oceana County Overview
Oceana County Sheriff's Office
The Oceana County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and handles all booking records. Sheriff Craig Mast leads the office, with Undersheriff Ryan Schiller and Corrections Commander Lieutenant Mark Schneider managing day-to-day jail operations. The jail sits at 216 Lincoln Street in Hart. All arrests in Oceana County get processed here.
When someone gets booked into the Oceana County jail, staff take a mugshot photo and log their personal details. This info goes into the jail's records system. The public can check on inmates through VINE, but the county does not post mugshots on a public website. To get a copy of a booking photo, you need to submit a records request.
| Agency | Oceana County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 216 Lincoln Street, Hart, MI 49420 |
| Main Phone | (231) 873-2121 |
| Sheriff Direct | (231) 873-6773 |
| Fax | (231) 873-0154 |
How to Find Oceana County Inmates
The main way to look up inmates in Oceana County is through the VINE system. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It is a free tool. Anyone can use it to check if someone is in custody at the Oceana County jail. You search by name, ID number, or case number.
VINE search results show the inmate's name, age, record details, case status, case number, plea status, and the reporting agency with its address. The system does not display mugshot photos. It is mostly built for crime victims who want to track an offender's status and get alerts when something changes. But anyone can run a search on it.
If you need the actual booking photo or more detailed arrest records, the VINE system won't help with that. You have to go through the FOIA process at the Sheriff's Office. The FOIA coordinator's email is tbyard@oceana.mi.us. Send your request with the person's full name, your contact info, and a clear description of what records you want.
The Oceana County Sheriff's Office must respond to FOIA requests within 5 business days under Michigan law.
Oceana County Jail Records Requests
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to ask for jail records from any county. In Oceana County, FOIA requests go to the Sheriff's Office. You can use the FOIA form on the Oceana County website or write your own letter. Include the person's full name and any other details that help staff find the right records.
Fees for FOIA requests in Oceana County are based on the actual costs involved. That includes labor to search for and pull the records, copying and duplication costs, the price of any computer discs if needed, and postage to mail things to you. The county can ask you to pay a deposit before they start working on a large request. If you think the fees are too high, you can appeal.
Under MCL 15.233, public bodies in Michigan must respond to FOIA requests within five business days. They can take a 10-day extension if they need more time. If your request gets denied, the response must explain why and tell you how to appeal.
Visiting Inmates at Oceana County Jail
Oceana County jail uses video visitation only. There are no face-to-face visits. Remote video visits happen through Securus Technologies. Each inmate gets one 30-minute visit per week. The schedule runs Monday through Sunday from 8 am to 11 pm. You need to make an account and get approved by jail staff before your first visit.
On-site video visits are also available and free of charge. These happen on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 1 pm to 4 pm. You go to the Sheriff's Office lobby and use the video equipment there. No physical contact with the inmate takes place during any visit type. All visits get monitored.
Money can be put on an inmate's account through the kiosk in the Sheriff's Office lobby. The county also accepts online deposits, though the specific website was not listed in available records. Money orders are another option. Commissary items are how inmates buy snacks, hygiene products, and other basics while in jail.
You must create a Securus account and receive approval from Oceana County jail staff before scheduling any video visit.
Oceana County Inmate Lookup Tools
The VINE system is the primary public tool for checking inmate status in Oceana County. You can access it at vinelink.com to search for anyone currently held at the county jail.
VINE lets you register for notifications so you get an alert by phone or email when an inmate's custody status changes. This is useful if you want to know when someone gets released or transferred. The service is free and available around the clock. Keep in mind that VINE data may not update instantly after a booking or release happens at the jail.
Cities in Oceana County
Oceana County is a rural area on Michigan's western coast. Its communities include Hart, Pentwater, Shelby, New Era, and Rothbury. All arrests in these areas are handled by the Oceana County Sheriff's Office, and bookings go to the county jail in Hart.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Oceana County. If you are not sure where someone was booked, check with the sheriff's office in each bordering county as well.