Find Criminal Records in Branch County

Branch County criminal court records are filed with the County Clerk and the 15th Circuit Court in Coldwater. You can search for case information online through MiCOURT, visit the courthouse in person, or send a written request by mail to get copies of criminal case files and docket entries.

Branch County Clerk and Court Records

The Branch County Clerk handles criminal court records from the first floor of the courthouse at 31 Division Street in Coldwater. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM. You can reach the office at (517) 279-4306, or by fax at (517) 278-5627. Email requests go to countyclerk@countyofbranch.com.

The 15th Circuit Court sits on the second floor of the same building. Court Administrator Aubrey Hinkley manages the circuit court operations. Felony criminal cases are heard upstairs, while the clerk on the first floor handles record requests and copy orders. When visiting, note that the courthouse has a dress code: no shorts or tank tops are permitted, and men must remove hats. Cell phones are not allowed on the second floor or in the courtroom.

15th Circuit Court Felony Records

The 15th Circuit Court in Branch County handles all felony criminal cases. This includes charges like assault with intent to commit a felony, home invasion, drug delivery, and other serious offenses that go above the misdemeanor threshold. The circuit court also handles civil matters, but criminal case records are the main focus for people searching public records.

Circuit court records are filed under the Michigan Court Rules, specifically MCR 8.119, which sets the rules for what is public and what must stay sealed. Most adult felony case files are open records. Juvenile cases, mental health cases, and certain personal details within files may be restricted.

To find out if the 15th Circuit Court participates in MiCOURT or MiFILE online systems, check the MiFILE available courts list. The 15th Circuit Court page is at branchcounty.gov.

Note: Mail filings go to the County Clerk, not directly to the circuit court. Send your check or money order along with your written request.

Searching Branch County Criminal Court Records

Branch County criminal court records can be found online or in person at the Coldwater courthouse. The state's free search tool is MiCOURT Case Search. You can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or business name. MiCOURT shows basic case details including party names, docket entries, and upcoming hearings.

For in-person searches, visit the County Clerk on the first floor of 31 Division Street. Bring a photo ID and the name or case number you are looking for. The clerk's staff can search the system and pull up files. Copies are made on request. Certified copies require extra processing time, so if you need them urgently, call ahead.

Mail requests are also accepted. The county's court record search page at branchcounty.gov has instructions for submitting written requests. Send your request with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the clerk at 31 Division Street. Check or money order is the preferred payment method for mail requests.

The MiFILE courts list above shows which Michigan courts accept electronic filings. Check this resource to see if the Branch County 15th Circuit Court is participating in online filing and record access.

Fees for Branch County Court Records

Branch County charges standard per-page fees for court record copies. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee on top of the per-page rate. Exact amounts follow the statewide schedule set under Michigan court rules. Call the clerk at (517) 279-4306 before submitting a request to get the exact cost for your specific records.

Payment for mail requests must be by check or money order made out to Branch County. Do not send cash in the mail. If you are requesting multiple documents, include a single payment for the total estimated cost. The clerk will contact you if the actual total is different.

Under MCL 15.231 (Michigan FOIA), fee waivers exist for people who qualify as indigent. Submit a signed affidavit with your request to ask for a fee waiver. Court records specifically are not subject to FOIA, but the general principle of accessibility applies. The first $20 of eligible fees can be waived under MCL 15.234 for qualifying individuals.

Online Tools for Branch County Records

The statewide MiCOURT system is the best place to start an online search for Branch County criminal court records. MiCOURT is free and covers most Michigan courts. Results include case numbers, party names, docket entries, and court dates.

For a criminal history check that goes beyond court records, use ICHAT, the Michigan State Police criminal history database. ICHAT charges $10 per name search and requires you to register first. It covers statewide arrest and conviction data from participating law enforcement agencies. Keep in mind that ICHAT reflects what agencies have reported to the state, so it may not capture every case, especially older ones.

The Michigan Legal Help website has guides for people who need to understand criminal court records. It explains terms like "arraignment," "bindover," and "plea" in plain language. If you are dealing with a criminal record issue and need guidance, this site is a good free resource before you hire an attorney.

Michigan Legal Help, shown above, offers plain-language help for people navigating the court system. The site is free and does not require registration to use most of its guides.

FOIA Requests vs Court Record Requests

Court case records in Branch County are governed by Michigan Court Rules (MCR 8.119), not the Freedom of Information Act. You do not file a FOIA request to get a court case file. Go directly to the County Clerk at 31 Division Street and ask for what you need.

FOIA applies to other county records, like sheriff department reports, jail booking logs, or county agency documents that are not part of a court file. For those, contact the relevant agency directly. Michigan FOIA law is at nfoic.org. The Michigan State Police FOIA request portal is at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia.

Criminal history records from the state police system are governed by MCL 28.241a. That statute sets rules for who can search the database and what it contains. ICHAT public searches are name-based and cost $10. More detailed background checks require fingerprints and are only available to certain employers or agencies.

Cities in Branch County

Coldwater is the county seat and the largest city in Branch County. Other communities include Union City, Quincy, and Bronson. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All criminal court records for Branch County cities and townships are handled through this county page. Contact the clerk's office at (517) 279-4306 for records from any location in the county.

Nearby Counties

Branch County borders four other counties. If a case was filed near the county line or you are unsure which county has the records you need, check where the offense occurred or where the defendant lived at the time of filing.