Cass County Criminal Court Records

Cass County criminal court records are maintained by the County Clerk at the Cass County Courthouse in Cassopolis. You can search for criminal case information through MiCOURT online, visit the courthouse in person, or send a written mail request to access case files, docket entries, and copies of court documents.

Cass County Clerk and Courthouse

The Cass County Clerk's Office is located at 120 N. Broadway Street in Cassopolis. This is where you go to request criminal court records, get copies of case files, and access docket information for cases filed in the county. The main phone line is (269) 445-8654. The county website at casscountymi.org has additional information on clerk services and court operations.

Cass County is a smaller county in southwest Michigan. The courthouse handles all criminal filings for the county, including felony cases from the circuit court and misdemeanor cases from the district court. For most record requests, you start at the clerk's office window during regular business hours. Staff can search by name or case number and tell you what is available before you pay for copies.

For specific hours and any updated closures, call the clerk's office directly or check the county website. Hours can change around holidays and during special circumstances.

Circuit Court Felony Cases in Cass County

Felony criminal cases in Cass County are handled by the Circuit Court. The circuit court has jurisdiction over all felony charges, appeals from the district court, and other serious criminal matters. Records from circuit court cases are public under Michigan Court Rules (MCR 8.119) unless sealed by the judge.

A felony case in Cass County starts with an arrest and an arraignment in the district court. If the district court finds probable cause, the case moves to the circuit court. The circuit court file then holds all subsequent documents: motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts, jury instructions, sentencing records, and probation orders. All of these documents are part of the permanent court record.

If you are looking for misdemeanor records, those stay in the district court file. The clerk can direct you to the right file when you call or visit. Both types of records are at the same courthouse in Cassopolis.

Criminal history records across the state are searchable through the ICHAT system maintained by the Michigan State Police. ICHAT charges $10 per name search and shows statewide arrest and conviction data under MCL 28.241a.

How to Search Cass County Criminal Records

Start with an online search using MiCOURT Case Search, the free statewide tool from the Michigan Courts. Search by name, case number, or attorney to get basic case information like party names, case type, docket entries, and hearing dates. MiCOURT does not show every document in the file, but it gives you enough to know what exists before making a trip to Cassopolis.

To search in person, visit the clerk's office at 120 N. Broadway Street. Bring your ID and the name or case number you need. Staff can pull up the case, tell you what documents are in the file, and make copies for you. Certified copies take a bit more time to prepare, so let the clerk know upfront if you need that format.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write out what you need and include a check or money order for the estimated copy cost. Send to the County Clerk at 120 N. Broadway Street, Cassopolis, MI 49031. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so documents can be returned to you.

The Cass County website shown above is the starting point for understanding what records are available and how to reach the clerk's office. Check here for any updates to hours or procedures before visiting in person.

MiCOURT, shown above, provides free access to basic case information for Cass County criminal court records. Use it to look up cases by name or case number before you visit or submit a mail request.

Record Copy Fees

Cass County charges standard per-page fees for court record copies. The exact amount follows statewide guidelines. Certified copies carry an additional fee for the certification. Call the clerk at (269) 445-8654 to confirm the current per-page rate before submitting a mail request.

Payment options for mail requests are typically check or money order. In-person visits may accept cash or check depending on the clerk's current policy. Do not send cash by mail. If you underestimate the cost in a mail request, the clerk will contact you for the balance before sending the documents.

Under MCL 15.231 (Michigan FOIA), fee waivers are available for indigent requesters. While court records are not technically subject to FOIA, the clerk can consider similar waiver requests if you submit a written statement explaining financial hardship. The first $20 of eligible fees may be waived under MCL 15.234.

Online Resources for Cass County Records

For free online case searches, use MiCOURT. It covers most Michigan courts including Cass County. The search returns case status, docket events, and party names without any cost. More detailed documents require a trip to the clerk or a mail request.

The Michigan State Police ICHAT database is the best source for a statewide criminal history check. It costs $10 per name search and requires user registration. Results include arrests and convictions from reporting agencies across Michigan. ICHAT is a name-based tool under MCL 28.241a and is different from a court case lookup.

The Michigan Legal Help site offers free guides for people navigating criminal court records on their own. If you need to understand what terms like "nolle prosequi" or "plea in abeyance" mean, this site explains them in plain language. It also has information on Michigan's Clean Slate expungement law for people trying to clear their records.

For e-filing and online case access, Michigan's MiFILE system covers certain courts statewide. Check the participating courts list to see if Cass County is currently enrolled.

FOIA and Court Records: What is Different

Criminal court case files in Cass County are public records under MCR 8.119. You do not submit a FOIA form to get them. You request them directly from the County Clerk at the Cass County Courthouse. FOIA governs other government records, not court case files.

If you need an arrest report or police incident report from the sheriff's department or a local police agency, that is a FOIA request. Send it to the law enforcement agency that created the record. For Michigan State Police records, use the portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. Response time for FOIA requests is 5 business days with up to a 10-day extension under MCL 15.231.

Note: Records from ongoing criminal investigations may be withheld under FOIA exemptions for law enforcement investigations. Once charges are filed and a court case opens, those documents become part of the court file and are accessible through the clerk.

Cities in Cass County

Cassopolis is the county seat of Cass County. Other communities in the county include Dowagiac, Niles (which straddles the Berrien County line), and several smaller townships. None of these cities have a separate city page because they do not meet the population threshold. All criminal court records for Cass County locations are handled through this page and the county clerk in Cassopolis.

Nearby Counties

Cass County is in the southwest corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. These neighboring counties each have their own circuit courts and clerk offices for criminal court records.