Canton Township Criminal Court Records
Canton Township criminal court records are handled by the 35th District Court in Plymouth, which serves Canton and the surrounding western Wayne County communities. Felony cases from Canton go to the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit. You can search Canton criminal cases online through MiCOURT, visit the 35th District Court in person, or contact the court by mail.
Canton Township Overview
Courts That Handle Canton Township Criminal Cases
The 35th District Court in Plymouth handles all criminal matters originating in Canton Township. This includes misdemeanor cases and arraignments for all felony charges. The court is at 660 Plymouth Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170, and the phone is (734) 459-4740. Misdemeanor cases stay in district court through sentencing. Any felony case that gets bound over after a preliminary examination moves to the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit.
The 3rd Circuit Court is the felony court for all of Wayne County. It is located in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice at 1441 St. Antoine St. in Detroit. The Wayne County Clerk's office maintains the criminal case files for circuit court felony matters from Canton Township. For certified copies of felony records, contact the Wayne County Clerk at (313) 224-5523. The circuit court case file contains the charging documents, pretrial motions, any plea or trial record, and the sentencing order.
Canton Township itself does not have a municipal court. All criminal matters go to the 35th District Court regardless of whether they involve a Canton resident or someone arrested inside the township. The township's main office is at 1150 S. Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48188, and the general number is (734) 394-5000. Township staff can direct you to the right court or records office if you are unsure where to start.
| District Court | 35th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 660 Plymouth Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170 |
| Phone | (734) 459-4740 |
| Circuit Court | Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court, Detroit |
| Township Office | 1150 S. Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48188 |
| Township Phone | (734) 394-5000 |
35th District Court Records
The 35th District Court covers Canton Township, the City of Plymouth, and Plymouth Township. For Canton cases specifically, the court file is held at the Plymouth courthouse. Records are public under MCR 8.119 unless a judge has ordered them sealed. Files typically include the complaint or citation, bond order, docket entries, any plea or sentence, and the probation record if applicable.
To get copies, visit the clerk's window at 660 Plymouth Rd. during business hours. Bring a case number or the full name of the person on the case. The clerk can search the system and pull the file. Standard copy fees run about $1.00 per page. Call (734) 459-4740 ahead of time to confirm current fees and what identification you need. Mail requests are accepted but take longer than in-person visits. Include the case number or name, the specific documents you need, and a check or money order for the copy fee.
MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is the best way to search for a case before making a trip to the court. You can look up a case by name or number, see what charges were filed, and check the current status. This free search covers the 35th District Court and the 3rd Circuit Court. It does not give you the full case file, but it will confirm the case exists and show basic docket information.
How to Search Canton Township Criminal Court Records
Start with MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. It covers both the 35th District Court and the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. Search by name or case number and you will see case status, docket entries, party names, and hearing dates. The system is free and open to the public. Most cases from the last ten to fifteen years are in the system.
For older cases or when you need the actual documents, contact the 35th District Court directly at (734) 459-4740. In-person requests allow you to review the file and order copies on the spot. For felony cases at the circuit court level, contact the Wayne County Clerk's Office at (313) 224-5523. The Wayne County Clerk's records division handles certified copies of circuit court criminal case files from Canton and other Wayne County communities.
Canton Township Public Safety handles local police records. For incident reports or arrest records maintained by the police department, use Canton's public records request portal. The township uses NextRequest for FOIA submissions. FOIA requests under MCL 15.231 cover police records and other township government records but do not apply to court case files. Court records come from the court clerk, not the township or police department.
The Canton Township website at canton-mi.org has department contacts, FOIA information, and resources for requesting public records from the township.
Canton Township Police Records and FOIA
Canton Public Safety maintains incident reports, arrest logs, and other law enforcement records at the township level. These are separate from court records and are governed by FOIA under MCL 15.231 rather than the Michigan Court Rules. You can submit a FOIA request through the township's online portal or by mailing a written request to Canton Township at 1150 S. Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48188.
Michigan requires a government agency to respond to a FOIA request within 5 business days. An extension of up to 10 additional days is allowed for large or complex requests. Copy fees typically run between $0.10 and $1.00 per page. Indigent requesters can seek a waiver of the first $20 in fees by filing an affidavit under MCL 15.234. If your request is denied, you have the right to an internal appeal within 10 days of receiving the denial.
For a broader statewide search, ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat is run by the Michigan State Police. A search costs $10 per name and returns criminal history records maintained by the state, including arrests and convictions from Canton and other Michigan communities. This is useful for a quick background check but does not give you case-level court documents.
Record Fees and Request Procedures
Court copy fees at the 35th District Court are around $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies carry a higher fee. Call (734) 459-4740 before you visit to get the current fee schedule. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order at the clerk's window. Some courts also accept credit cards, so it is worth asking when you call.
For Wayne County Circuit Court records related to felony cases from Canton, the Wayne County Clerk charges $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. You can also use Michigan's MiFILE system to check whether the 3rd Circuit Court offers electronic document access. Check the available courts list at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts for current participation.
Mail requests to the 35th District Court at 660 Plymouth Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170. Include the name or case number, a description of what documents you need, and a check or money order. Do not send cash. Processing by mail takes longer than an in-person request, especially if the file needs to be pulled from off-site storage. Call ahead to get a fee estimate before sending payment.
Online Tools for Canton Township Records
MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is the free statewide case search tool covering the 35th District Court and Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat provides a statewide criminal history search for $10 per name. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides on understanding court records, expungement under Michigan's Clean Slate law, and how to navigate the Wayne County courts system.
Canton Township's public records portal at canton-mi.org handles FOIA requests for township documents. This covers police department records and township administrative records but not court case files. Always go to the court clerk directly for criminal case documents.
Legal Resources for Canton Township Residents
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free guides on criminal law, court records, and expungement. The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has official forms and self-help resources. The State Bar of Michigan's Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 968-0738 can connect you with a licensed attorney in Wayne County if you need legal representation.
For expungement eligibility under Michigan's Clean Slate law, you can check whether your conviction qualifies through the Michigan Legal Help expungement guide or by contacting a local legal aid office. Canton Township residents may also qualify for services from Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, which provides legal assistance and related social services in the western Wayne County area.
Wayne County Criminal Court Records
Canton Township is in Wayne County. Felony cases from Canton go to the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit. The county page covers the circuit court, county clerk's office, and how to access the full range of Wayne County criminal court records.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Canton Township also have criminal court records pages on this site.