Citizens are entitled access to most court records. This is governed by Michigan Court Rule and also by local court Administrative Order, which must be approved by the Supreme Court Administrative Office. Courts are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, pursuant to Michigan Complied Laws (MCL) 15.232(b)(v). You can click on the link immediately below to learn about our public access computer terminal.
There are some records that are not accessible to the public. These include:
A. Controlled Substance Act cases placed under protection per MCL 333.7411
B. Spouse Abuse Act cases placed under protection per MCL 769.4a
C. Holmes Youthful Trainee Act cases placed under protection per MCL 762.14
D. Minor in Possession of Intoxicants cases placed under protection per MCL 436.1703
E. Setting Aside Convictions cases placed under protection per MCL 780.623
F. All Probation Department files, including presentence investigation and alcohol assessment reports
G. Criminal history records with non-conviction data and any items obtained through a LEIN terminal.
H. Suppressed search warrants and affidavits during the period of suppression.
I. Any file which the judge has issued a suppression order.
NOTE: Delayed sentence cases are public records and available.
Any person may file a challenge as to the placement of a file into a non public record and file a motion to set aside the order suppressing a court record. The procedure to do so is found in Michigan Court Rule 8.116.
Any person may inspect any public court file if access to it is not restricted by statute, court rule or suppression order. Copies of the court file may be obtained, but are subject to the following regulations:
1) GENERAL
A. Requests to view files and/or obtain copies shall be made in writing on a "file/copy request form" and must specify a complete case number.
B. Photocopies of papers in the court file will be provided upon receipt of the cost of reproduction which is $1.00 per page. Certified copies are available at a charge of $10.00 for the first page.
C. Files shall be reviewed at the public counter unless (at the discretion of Court supervisory personnel), approval is granted to review records in the Clerk's office, based upon available space, the number of files to be reviewed and the length of time necessary to review them.
D. The ability to have immediate access for public inspection is limited to the availability of the court's clerical staff to supervise the inspection to ensure the safekeeping of records. Appointments to review records can be made with the Court Administrator, Anethia Brewer. You may call her direct at (517) 676-8426.
2) ACCESS TO CASE FILES/INFORMATION
A. Requests for access to individual specific case files (five or fewer files) can usually be accommodated within one hour, unless the files are in storage. Files that are 5 or more years old go to storage.
B. Requests for access to more than five specific case files will be accommodated within a reasonable amount of time depending on the total number of case files requested and the availability of court staff.
C. Requests for specific case files in storage will be accommodated within three working days.
D. Requests to perform general traffic or criminal record checks that do not have specific case numbers will not be researched by the court. You will be referred to the appropriate state agency to obtain this information.
E. Requests for the review of a large group of particular types of cases will only be considered if, in the court's discretion, the request will not unreasonably interfere with the discharge of court functions. The court is not required to develop special procedures for the convenience or cost/benefit of persons requesting access and may specify the date, time and manner in which access is to be granted. It will be the responsibility of those persons requesting access to make prior and acceptable arrangements with the court administrator.
3) COPIES
A. The court will provide a limited number of copies (less than 20) within one hour of the request for copies and payment is received.
B. Requests for more than 20 pages will be accommodated within a
reasonable amount of time as determined by:
1. The total number of pages to be copied,
2. The availability of Court staff and photocopying equipment
3. The nature of the request, i.e., the degree to which Court staff is required to
identify and select
documents to be copied.
C. To preserve and maintain the integrity of court records and to prevent unreasonable interference with the discharge of Court functions, persons will not be permitted to copy or otherwise duplicate Court records using their own equipment.
D. The clerk will not permit any record or paper on file in the clerk's office to be taken from the Court without specific order of the court.
A complete record check may be requested by writing to the appropriate state agency.
To obtain a DRIVING (traffic) record, contact:
Michigan Department of State
Commercial Look-up Unit
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing, Michigan 48918
Telephone: (517) 322-1624
To obtain a CRIMINAL record check, contact:
Michigan Department of State Police
Central Records Bureau
7150 Harris Drive
Lansing, Michigan 48913
Telephone: (517) 322-5531
The Michigan Department of State Police has made some records available on the internet, using the ICHAT system. You need to register in advance with the Department of State Police and there is a fee for each search. You can learn more about this system on their web page, using this link: ICHAT
PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTER TERMINAL
1. Access to the terminal is available from 8:30am to 4:00pm. The court reserves the right to restrict access to the terminal at any time. Use of the public access terminal will be at the complete discretion of the court.
2. Users must sign in and out when using the terminal.
3. First-come/first served. The court will not take reservations for use of the public terminal.
4. East user is limited to 30 minutes per day. This time may be extended in the event that no one else has requested to use the terminal.
5. No user under the age of 18 will be allowed access to the terminal.
6. Each user is responsible to inform the clerk when he/she has finished their research session.
7. The use of the public terminal is a privilege and the court retains the right to limit and control who and when the terminal may be utilized.
8. PRINTING COPIES: Users may print a screen at the cost of $1.00 per page. All pages will print in the general clerk's area.
9. Anyone who fails to follow court policy or mishandles court equipment will lose their privilege to use this automated system.
10. The use and access of information from the public terminal will follow the same guidelines outlined in the Court's Administrative Order (Public Access to Court Records).