Westland Criminal Court Records
Westland criminal court records are filed at the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court for felony cases and at local district courts for misdemeanors. This page explains how to search and access criminal court records connected to Westland, Michigan, including how to request police incident reports through the Westland Police Department, use Michigan FOIA law to obtain records, and run statewide criminal history checks through ICHAT and MiCOURT.
Westland Overview
Courts Handling Westland Criminal Cases
Westland is in Wayne County. Felony cases originating in Westland go to the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. The 3rd Circuit is one of the largest trial courts in Michigan and handles felony criminal cases, major civil matters, and family law. The court is in downtown Detroit, the Wayne County seat. The Wayne County Clerk maintains all circuit court criminal case files.
Misdemeanor cases and civil infractions from Westland are handled at the local district court level. District courts are the first step in the criminal process for lower-level offenses. Records from both circuit and district courts are public under MCR 8.119, the Michigan Court Rule governing access to court records.
| Felony Court | Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| City Hall | 36601 Ford Rd., Westland, MI 48185 |
| City Phone | (734) 467-3205 |
| City Website | cityofwestland.com |
| Police Records | (734) 467-7915 |
The Wayne County Clerk's office at 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 manages court files for the 3rd Circuit. Call ahead to confirm current copy fees and procedures before visiting.
District Court Records for Westland
Michigan district courts try misdemeanor criminal cases and civil infractions. For Westland, misdemeanor cases are handled locally and result in records that are accessible to the public. These records include the initial charge, any plea entered, the sentence, and any conditions of probation. Only sealed or expunged cases are off limits under normal circumstances.
You can start a search on MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. The tool is free and searches by name or case number. It covers many Michigan courts but does not include every court in the state. If MiCOURT does not have what you need, contact the relevant district court clerk directly.
The MiFILE available courts list shows which Wayne County courts accept e-filing. This is also a useful reference for confirming which court has your case and whether you can file documents electronically.
How to Search Westland Criminal Court Records
Start your search for Westland criminal court records online using MiCOURT. Search by the person's name or case number. Results show the case type, status, parties, and major docket entries. The tool is free and available around the clock at micourt.courts.michigan.gov.
For a full name-based criminal history check across Michigan, use ICHAT, run by the Michigan State Police. A search costs $10. You register online, pay by card, and get results from MSP's criminal history database. ICHAT covers arrests and convictions from agencies statewide, including those in Wayne County. It is not limited to court records, so it can catch cases that MiCOURT may not index.
To get the actual case files for a felony in Westland, go to the Wayne County Circuit Court Clerk in Detroit. You can also mail a written request with payment to 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. Copy fees are set by the court and are typically $0.10 to $1.00 per page depending on document type.
Note: Sealed records and cases expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate legislation will not appear in public searches regardless of what tool you use.
Westland Police Records and FOIA
The Westland Police Department handles incident reports and arrest records for law enforcement activity in Westland. The Records office can be reached at (734) 467-7915. The police department is at 36701 Ford Rd., Westland, MI 48185, just down the road from City Hall. Police records are separate from court records and must be requested under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq.
To request police records, submit a written FOIA request to the City of Westland. Include your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records you want. Mention the date, incident number, and parties involved if you know them. The city has 5 business days to respond. An extension of up to 10 more business days is allowed for complex requests. Copy fees in Westland are $0.10 per page.
If you have low income, you may qualify for a fee waiver on the first $20 of charges under MCL 15.234. Submit an affidavit of indigency with your FOIA request. The waiver is not automatic, but most cities grant it when the affidavit is properly completed.
Record Copy Procedures and Fees
Getting copies of Westland criminal records depends on what type of record you need. Court records come from the courthouse. Police records come from the police department through FOIA. Statewide criminal history comes from MSP through ICHAT.
For court copies, contact the Wayne County Circuit Court Clerk at 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Certified copies are required if you need to submit the record to another court, government agency, or employer as legal proof. Plain copies work for most personal uses. Ask the clerk what the current fee is before you submit your request.
For police records, submit a written FOIA request to the City of Westland at 36601 Ford Rd. The city charges $0.10 per page for copies. Labor charges apply when staff must spend more than a minimal amount of time searching, separating, or reviewing documents. Most straightforward requests do not trigger labor fees.
Legal Help and Resources in Westland
Michigan Legal Help is the main free resource for people navigating criminal court records in Westland. It has step-by-step guides on FOIA requests, how to search court records, expungement under Michigan's Clean Slate law, and how to correct errors in a criminal history. The site is plain-language and covers most common situations.
The Michigan State Police can help with statewide record requests. Reach the MSP Records Resource Section at (517) 241-1934 or email MSPRecords@Michigan.gov. The main address is 7150 Harris Drive, Dimondale, MI 48821. For a self-check, ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat lets you run a name search on yourself for $10.
Wayne County has legal aid organizations that serve Westland residents. If you need help with an expungement petition, a criminal record dispute, or understanding a court file, Michigan Legal Help can point you toward the right group. Some offer free consultations for qualifying individuals.
Wayne County Criminal Court Records
Westland is in Wayne County. All felony cases from Westland go through the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. The county page has full details on the Circuit Court, the Wayne County Clerk, fees, and other courts serving Wayne County.