Grand Rapids Criminal Case Lookup
Grand Rapids criminal court records are kept at the 63rd District Court and the Kent County Circuit Court. Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan and the county seat of Kent County. Misdemeanor cases are handled at the 63rd District Court on Sheldon Boulevard. Felony cases move to the Kent County Circuit Court at 300 Monroe Ave. NW. This page explains how to find and access criminal court records, police reports, and public case information in Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids Overview
Courts Handling Grand Rapids Criminal Cases
The 63rd District Court is the primary court for criminal cases that start in Grand Rapids. It sits at 61 Sheldon Blvd. SE and handles misdemeanors, civil infractions, and the initial steps in felony cases. The court's phone number is (616) 632-5700. Arraignments, bond hearings, and preliminary examinations for felony charges all take place here before a case moves up to the circuit court level.
The Kent County Circuit Court at 300 Monroe Ave. NW in Grand Rapids handles all felony trials and appeals from district courts in Kent County. Once the 63rd District Court binds over a felony case, it transfers to the circuit court. The Kent County Clerk's Office maintains records for both the circuit court and probate court. For general county information, visit accesskent.com.
| District Court | 63rd District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 61 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Phone | (616) 632-5700 |
| Circuit Court | Kent County Circuit Court |
| Circuit Address | 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| City Website | grandrapidsmi.gov |
63rd District Court and Criminal Filings
The 63rd District Court covers Grand Rapids and handles a wide range of criminal matters. Misdemeanor offenses, which carry up to one year in jail, are fully tried here. Common case types include OWI, domestic violence at the misdemeanor level, retail fraud, drug possession, and assault. The court also handles civil infractions and ordinance violations from the city of Grand Rapids.
Under Michigan Court Rules MCR 8.119, criminal case records at the 63rd District Court are public. You can request copies from the clerk's office. A case file may contain the charging documents, bond orders, motion papers, plea agreements, and sentencing records. Not every document is available at the counter right away, especially for older cases that may be stored off-site.
The city's website at grandrapidsmi.gov has contact information for city departments and some links to court resources. The Grand Rapids Police Records Unit can be reached at (616) 456-3408 for police report requests.
How to Search Grand Rapids Criminal Court Records
Start with MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. This free statewide tool covers both the 63rd District Court and the Kent County Circuit Court. Search by name or case number to find case status, party names, and docket entries. It is the quickest way to check if a case exists and get basic information. Not every document in the file will be viewable online, but case status and hearing dates are usually shown.
For in-person access, visit the 63rd District Court clerk's window at 61 Sheldon Blvd. SE. Bring the full name of the person or the case number you are looking for. Staff can look up the case and make copies for the standard fee. If you need circuit court felony records, you will need to contact the Kent County Clerk's Office at the courthouse on Monroe Ave.
The Grand Rapids city website at grandrapidsmi.gov has links to police department resources and city services related to public records requests.
Grand Rapids Police Records and FOIA
Police records from the Grand Rapids Police Department are separate from court case files. These records include incident reports, arrest logs, and crime reports. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, most police records are available to the public. You submit a FOIA request to the Grand Rapids Police Department to get copies. The records unit handles those requests and can be reached at (616) 456-3408.
FOIA requests in Grand Rapids can be submitted in writing or through the city's online portal. Michigan law sets a 5-business-day response deadline, with a possible 10-day extension for complex requests. Copy fees run from $0.10 to $1.00 per page. Labor charges apply for requests that take significant staff time. Low-income requesters can ask for a fee waiver under MCL 15.234 using the DIR-103 Affidavit of Indigency form.
Note: Court records at the 63rd District Court or Kent County Circuit Court are governed by MCR 8.119, not FOIA. You must request those directly from the court clerk's office, not from the police department.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides on how to understand court records, request copies, and navigate the court system on your own.
Fees for Grand Rapids Court Records
Court record copy fees at Michigan district and circuit courts are generally $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies carry an additional fee. The 63rd District Court sets its own specific fee schedule. Call (616) 632-5700 to confirm current fees before your visit or before mailing a request. Some courts also charge a search fee in addition to copy costs.
For ICHAT background checks run through the Michigan State Police at michigan.gov/ichat, the fee is $10 per name search. Results are immediate and cover statewide criminal history data. This is different from a court records search and covers arrests and convictions reported to the state police database. Fingerprint-based searches are more thorough but require going through a law enforcement agency or licensed fingerprint vendor.
Mail requests to the 63rd District Court should include a written description of the records you need, the case number or party name, and a check or money order for the estimated copy fee. Call first to confirm the amount. Processing times for mail requests can take longer than in-person visits.
Legal Resources in Grand Rapids
Several organizations offer legal help to Grand Rapids residents. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free online guides for criminal matters, including how to understand charges, request expungement, and access your own records. The site covers both district and circuit court processes in plain language.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has official court forms and links to each court's self-help resources. Legal aid organizations in Kent County may offer free or low-cost representation for qualifying individuals. The MiFILE e-filing system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov lets attorneys and some self-represented parties file documents electronically in courts that participate.
Kent County Criminal Court Records
Grand Rapids is the county seat of Kent County. Felony cases originating in Grand Rapids go to the Kent County Circuit Court. The Kent County page has more detail on court locations, the county clerk's office, record access, and related resources across Kent County.
Nearby Cities
Other Michigan cities with criminal court records pages are listed below. These are the closest qualifying cities to Grand Rapids.