Lansing Criminal Court Records
Lansing criminal court records are handled by the 54-A District Court at City Hall for misdemeanor matters and by the Ingham County 30th Circuit Court for felony cases. Lansing is the state capital and sits in Ingham County. You can search Lansing criminal cases through MiCOURT, visit the courts in person at 124 W. Michigan Ave., or contact the Ingham County Clerk for circuit court records.
Lansing Overview
Courts That Handle Lansing Criminal Cases
The 54-A District Court is the first court for all criminal cases originating in Lansing. It is at 124 W. Michigan Ave. in City Hall, and the phone is (517) 483-6500. The court handles all misdemeanor criminal cases for the city and handles arraignments, bail hearings, and preliminary examinations for felony matters. Misdemeanor cases are fully resolved at the 54-A District Court. Felony cases, after a preliminary exam where probable cause is found, are bound over to the 30th Circuit Court.
The Ingham County 30th Circuit Court handles all felony cases from Lansing and the rest of Ingham County. The Ingham County Courthouse is at 341 S. Jefferson St. in Mason, which is the county seat. The Ingham County Clerk maintains circuit court criminal records. For certified copies of felony case files from Lansing prosecutions, contact the Ingham County Clerk at (517) 676-7200. The circuit court file includes all documents from charging through final sentencing, including any appeals filed in circuit court.
Lansing City Hall is at 124 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48933, with a main number of (517) 483-4000. The Lansing Police Department's Records Division is at (517) 483-4600. Police records and court records are separate. Police incident reports and arrest records come from the Lansing Police Department. Court case files come from the court clerk. Both types of records may be useful depending on what you need.
| District Court | 54-A District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 124 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48933 |
| Phone | (517) 483-6500 |
| Circuit Court | Ingham County 30th Circuit Court, Mason |
| Ingham County Clerk | (517) 676-7200 |
| Police Records | (517) 483-4600 |
54-A District Court Records
The 54-A District Court keeps all criminal case files for matters originating in the City of Lansing. These records are public under MCR 8.119 unless a judge seals them. A typical case file includes the complaint or citation, bond records, docket entries for each court appearance, plea or trial records, and the sentence. Probation orders are also part of the file if the sentence included probation.
To get copies, visit the clerk's window at 124 W. Michigan Ave. during court business hours. Bring the case number or the defendant's full name. Staff can pull the file and provide copies at $1.00 per page. Call (517) 483-6500 before visiting to confirm hours and current fees. For mail requests, send to 54-A District Court at the Michigan Ave. address with a check or money order and a description of the documents you need.
MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov covers both the 54-A District Court and the 30th Circuit Court. A name or case number search shows the charges, docket entries, and case status. This is the best free tool to confirm a case and get the case number before contacting the court for actual documents. Search results show both district court and circuit court cases when both are relevant to the same person and case.
How to Search Lansing Criminal Court Records
Start with MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov to search Lansing criminal cases online. This free statewide system covers the 54-A District Court and the Ingham County 30th Circuit Court. Search by name or case number and you will see case status, charges, docket entries, and hearing dates. No registration is needed. Most cases from recent years are available in the system.
For in-person access, visit the 54-A District Court at 124 W. Michigan Ave. in Lansing City Hall. For circuit court felony records from Lansing, you need to go to the Ingham County Courthouse in Mason or contact the Ingham County Clerk at (517) 676-7200. Mason is about 15 miles south of Lansing. The circuit court records for Lansing felony cases are held in Mason, not in the city itself, so plan accordingly if you need felony case documents.
For Lansing Police Department records, contact the Records Division at (517) 483-4600 or submit a FOIA request to the city. The police department has its own records system for incident reports, arrest records, and other law enforcement documents. The city website at lansingmi.gov has contacts and information for various departments including the police and city clerk.
The City of Lansing website at lansingmi.gov has contacts for the police department, city clerk, and other departments involved in public records access in Lansing.
Lansing Police Records and FOIA
The Lansing Police Department's Records Division at (517) 483-4600 handles police records requests. Incident reports, arrest records, and other police documents are available through FOIA under MCL 15.231. Submit a written FOIA request to the Lansing City Clerk or the Police Department FOIA Coordinator. Include a description of what you are looking for, the approximate date and location of the incident, and any names or case numbers you have.
Michigan FOIA requires a response within 5 business days. Extensions up to 10 more days are allowed. Copy fees range from $0.10 to $1.00 per page plus applicable labor costs. The first $20 in fees is waived for indigent requesters who provide an affidavit under MCL 15.234. FOIA covers police and government records but not court case files. Court records must be requested from the court clerk at (517) 483-6500 for district court matters or (517) 676-7200 for circuit court records in Mason.
ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat costs $10 per name search and returns criminal history records from the Michigan State Police database, covering Lansing arrests and convictions alongside records from other Michigan courts. This is useful for a statewide criminal history check but does not include the specific documents from a court case.
Record Fees and Request Procedures
Standard copy fees at the 54-A District Court are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call (517) 483-6500 to confirm the current fee schedule before visiting. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order at the clerk's window. For Ingham County Circuit Court records from felony cases, the Ingham County Clerk charges $1.00 per page for standard copies and more for certified copies. Call (517) 676-7200 for a fee estimate.
Mail requests to the 54-A District Court at 124 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. For felony circuit court records, mail to the Ingham County Clerk, 341 S. Jefferson St., Mason, MI 48854. Include a check or money order made payable to the appropriate office and a description of the documents you need. Do not send cash. Allow extra processing time for mail requests.
Michigan's MiFILE e-filing system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts lists which courts offer electronic document access. Check this list to see if the 54-A District Court or the 30th Circuit Court currently participates before making a trip or submitting a mail request.
Legal Resources for Lansing Residents
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free guides on criminal court records, expungement under Michigan's Clean Slate law, and how to navigate the Ingham County court system. The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has official forms and resources. As the state capital, Lansing also has access to the State Bar of Michigan offices and several legal aid organizations in the area.
Legal Services of South Central Michigan at (517) 394-8990 provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income Lansing residents. The Ingham County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral service for residents who need to find licensed legal help in the Lansing area. MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles state police records requests, which are separate from city police records and court records.
Ingham County Criminal Court Records
Lansing is the county seat of Ingham County. Felony cases from Lansing go to the Ingham County 30th Circuit Court in Mason. The county page has full details on the circuit court, county clerk's office, and how to access Ingham County criminal court records.
Nearby Cities
These Michigan cities also have criminal court records pages on this site.