Chippewa County Criminal Court Records
Chippewa County criminal court records are maintained by County Clerk Steve Woodgate at 319 Court Street in Sault Ste. Marie. You can access criminal case records by visiting the courthouse, using a free public computer during business hours, submitting a written request by mail or email, or searching online through MiCOURT and the state's criminal history database.
Chippewa County Overview
Chippewa County Clerk and Criminal Records
County Clerk Steve Woodgate runs the Chippewa County Clerk's Office at 319 Court Street in Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The general clerk phone is (906) 635-6300 and fax is (906) 635-6325. For email inquiries, contact swoodgate@chippewacountymi.gov. The county website is at chippewacountymi.gov.
One useful feature at the Chippewa County Courthouse is a free public access computer during business hours. This lets you look up basic case information without having to pay for a search or request copies. It is a good way to confirm case numbers and determine what documents you need before asking the clerk to pull files.
| County Clerk | Steve Woodgate |
|---|---|
| Address | 319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 |
| Phone | (906) 635-6300 |
| Fax | (906) 635-6325 |
| swoodgate@chippewacountymi.gov |
50th Circuit Court in Chippewa County
The 50th Circuit Court serves Chippewa County. The Honorable James Lambros presides as circuit court judge. The circuit court phone is (906) 635-6338. All felony criminal cases in Chippewa County go through this court. This includes drug felonies, assault charges above the misdemeanor threshold, property crimes, and all other state felony offenses.
Circuit court records are public under Michigan Court Rules (MCR 8.119). The file for a felony case holds everything from the initial complaint through the final sentencing order and any post-conviction matters. Sealed files, juvenile records, and confidential personal information within cases are not accessible to the public.
The 91st District Court also operates in Chippewa County. District Court Clerk Kim Forsythe manages records at (906) 635-7613 or kforsythe@chippewacountymi.gov. The district court handles misdemeanor criminal charges and civil cases. If you are looking for a misdemeanor record, call the district court line directly rather than the general clerk number.
How to Search Chippewa County Criminal Court Records
Chippewa County offers several ways to search for criminal court records. The free public access computer at the courthouse is available during business hours. You can also search online using MiCOURT Case Search, which covers most Michigan courts and is free to use from any device.
For in-person requests, visit the clerk's office at 319 Court Street. Important: Contact the office first to get the case number and confirm the amount owed before your visit. This saves time and avoids back-and-forth trips. Bring a photo ID when you go.
Mail, fax, and email requests are also accepted. Complete the record request form and send it with payment. For mail and fax, send to the clerk at the 319 Court Street address or fax to (906) 635-6325. For email requests, contact swoodgate@chippewacountymi.gov. Always include the full name, case type, and approximate dates to help the clerk find the record quickly.
The MiCOURT case search portal shown above is the statewide free tool for looking up Chippewa County criminal cases by name or case number. Use it to confirm case details before contacting the clerk.
Fees for Chippewa County Court Records
Regular copies of Chippewa County court records cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $10.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. These are the standard rates used in Chippewa County. For large files, call first to get a page count before sending payment.
Mail or fax requests require payment by check or money order. Make checks payable to Chippewa County Clerk. Do not send cash through the mail or by fax. In-person payments may have more flexibility depending on the clerk's current policy. Email the clerk to confirm payment options before sending an electronic request.
Under Michigan FOIA (MCL 15.231), fee waivers are available for people who are indigent. The first $20 of qualifying fees may be waived under MCL 15.234. Court records are not technically subject to FOIA, but the clerk applies similar access considerations for financial hardship. Submit a written request for a waiver with your record request.
Online Search Tools for Chippewa County
The free MiCOURT Case Search covers Chippewa County courts and is available around the clock. It gives you basic case information, docket entries, and party names without any cost. This is the best starting point for any online criminal record search in Chippewa County.
The Chippewa County website also has specific resources for court document requests. The court document request page has forms and instructions for submitting requests to the clerk. The 91st District Court record search is available for misdemeanor and civil case lookups at the district level.
For statewide criminal history checks, use ICHAT from the Michigan State Police. It costs $10 per name and searches the state's criminal history database maintained under MCL 28.241a. ICHAT is name-based and gives you a summary of arrests and convictions across the state, not just in Chippewa County.
The Michigan Legal Help site is a useful free resource for people navigating criminal records without a lawyer. It explains court processes, record request procedures, and what different types of court documents mean. The MiFILE system handles electronic case filings for attorneys in participating courts.
FOIA vs Court Record Access in Chippewa County
Criminal court case records in Chippewa County are not covered by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. They are governed by MCR 8.119. To get them, go directly to the County Clerk at 319 Court Street or contact the clerk by phone, fax, or email. No FOIA form is required.
Police department records, sheriff incident reports, and other non-court public records in Chippewa County are subject to FOIA under MCL 15.231. Submit a FOIA request to the relevant agency. For Michigan State Police records, use the online portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. The direct payment link for MSP FOIA is available on that page with a $2.00 processing fee.
Criminal history records from the state police database fall under MCL 28.241a. The ICHAT public tool is the easiest way to search this data. A more complete fingerprint-based check is available only to authorized users. For most public searches, ICHAT is enough to get a general picture of someone's statewide criminal history.
The MSP FOIA request portal shown above is where you submit requests for Michigan State Police records. Use this if you need police agency records related to a Chippewa County investigation rather than the court case file itself.
Cities in Chippewa County
Sault Ste. Marie is the county seat and largest city in Chippewa County. Other communities include Soo Township and several smaller townships across the county. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a separate city page. All criminal court records for Chippewa County locations are handled through this county page. Contact the clerk at (906) 635-6300 for records from any Chippewa County location.
Nearby Counties
Chippewa County is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. These neighboring counties each have their own circuit courts and county clerks for criminal court records.