Ann Arbor Criminal Court Records
Ann Arbor criminal court records are maintained by the 15th Judicial District Court and the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Both courts serve the Ann Arbor area and handle different levels of criminal cases. You can search these records online through MiCOURT, visit either court in person, or submit a written request by mail. This page explains how to find criminal case filings, docket entries, and police records in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor Overview
Which Courts Handle Ann Arbor Criminal Cases
Ann Arbor criminal cases go through two different courts depending on how serious the charge is. Misdemeanors and most traffic offenses are heard at the 15th Judicial District Court. That court sits at 301 E. Huron St., the same address as Ann Arbor City Hall. Felony cases move up to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court at 101 E. Huron St., just one block away.
The 15th District Court handles arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and trials for misdemeanor criminal cases. It also handles civil infractions and some civil matters. If a case involves a felony, it starts at the district court level for the preliminary examination and then gets bound over to the circuit court for trial. Both courts keep their own records, so you may need to check both depending on what you are looking for.
| Court | 15th Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| Phone | (734) 794-6750 |
| Circuit Court | Washtenaw County Circuit Court |
| Circuit Address | 101 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| City Website | a2gov.org |
15th District Court Criminal Cases
The 15th Judicial District Court is the main trial court for criminal cases that start in Ann Arbor. It covers misdemeanor offenses, which carry penalties up to one year in jail and fines. Common cases include drunk driving, assault and battery, petty theft, and drug possession of smaller amounts. The court also handles civil infractions such as traffic tickets and city ordinance violations.
For felony cases, the 15th District Court holds the initial steps. This means arraignment, bond hearings, and the preliminary examination all take place here first. If the judge finds probable cause at the exam, the case moves to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court for the next phase. Under Michigan Court Rules, specifically MCR 8.119, all case records at both courts are considered public unless a judge has sealed them.
The court clerk's office at the 15th District keeps the official record for each case. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. They can also make paper copies of case documents for a standard per-page fee.
How to Search Ann Arbor Criminal Court Records
The fastest way to search Ann Arbor criminal court records is through the MiCOURT case search system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. This is the statewide online tool run by the Michigan Supreme Court. It covers both the 15th District Court and the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show party names, docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. The tool is free to use and available at any time.
To search online, you need at least the full legal name of one party. A partial name search sometimes works but gives more results to sort through. If you know the approximate year the case was filed, add that to narrow things down. Case numbers follow a standard Michigan format that includes the court code and year. The system does not always show every document in a case file. For full records, an in-person visit or written request may be needed.
The Ann Arbor city website at a2gov.org has contact information for the City Clerk's Office at (734) 794-6140. The clerk's office can direct you to the right court office for records requests. Both courts also accept written requests by mail if you cannot visit in person.
The city of Ann Arbor uses the MiFile e-filing system for electronic court submissions. You can see which courts participate in e-filing at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts.
Ann Arbor Police Records and FOIA
Police records from the Ann Arbor Police Department are separate from court records. These include incident reports, arrest reports, and other law enforcement documents. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, most of these records are public. You submit a FOIA request to get copies.
The Ann Arbor Police Department handles FOIA requests through the City Clerk's Office at 301 E. Huron St. You can call (734) 794-6140 to ask about the process. The city also accepts online FOIA submissions. Michigan law gives the city 5 business days to respond, though they can extend that by up to 10 more days for complex requests. There is a fee for copying and for labor time spent on the request. Indigent requesters can ask for a fee waiver under MCL 15.234 by filing a DIR-103 Affidavit of Indigency.
Note: Court case records are not subject to FOIA. They are governed by Michigan Court Rules MCR 8.119 and must be requested directly from the court clerk.
The Michigan State Police also accept FOIA requests for certain law enforcement records through their portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia.
Record Request Fees and Procedures
Copy fees for court records in Michigan courts run about $1.00 per page for standard paper copies. Certified copies cost more. The exact amount depends on the court and the type of document. Call the 15th District Court at (734) 794-6750 or the Washtenaw County Circuit Court to confirm current fees before you visit or send a request.
For FOIA requests to the Ann Arbor Police Department or city offices, the fees are set under Michigan's FOIA law. Copy costs range from $0.10 to $1.00 per page. There is also a labor charge based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of handling the request. If your request is straightforward and the documents are ready to copy, costs are usually low. Complex requests that take significant staff time can cost more.
Payment at the district court can be made in person by cash, check, or money order. Some courts accept credit cards. Confirm payment options when you call ahead. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the court. Do not send cash by mail.
ICHAT and State Criminal History Searches
Beyond court records, you can run a name-based criminal history search through the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool, known as ICHAT. The tool is at michigan.gov/ichat. ICHAT searches the statewide criminal history database maintained by the Michigan State Police. It shows arrests and convictions reported by participating agencies across the state, including Ann Arbor.
Each ICHAT search costs $10. You register for an account, pay by credit or debit card, and get results right away. The search is name-based, so it can return results for people with similar names. For a more thorough background check, fingerprint-based checks are available through law enforcement agencies. ICHAT results include conviction data, but not always every arrest or charge. Some older records may not appear if the agency did not report them at the time.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides for people who want to understand their own criminal records or seek expungement under Michigan's Clean Slate laws.
Washtenaw County Criminal Court Records
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County. All felony criminal cases from Ann Arbor go through the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. The county page has more detail on the circuit court clerk, filing procedures, and how to access the full range of county court records.
Nearby Cities
Looking for criminal court records in other cities near Ann Arbor? These nearby communities also have pages with local court and records information.