Genesee County Criminal Court Records
Genesee County criminal court records are maintained at the County Clerk's Office at 900 S. Saginaw Street in Flint. The 7th Circuit Court handles felony cases for all of Genesee County. With Flint as the county seat, this is one of Michigan's busier circuit courts. Records can be accessed in person, by mail, or through online tools. This page covers all the options and tells you who to contact.
Genesee County Overview
Genesee County Clerk and 7th Circuit Court
The Genesee County Clerk's Office is at 900 S. Saginaw Street in Flint. The main clerk line is (810) 257-3225. The 7th Circuit Court, which handles all felony criminal cases for the county, is also at this address. The circuit court's direct number is (810) 257-3407. Staff at both offices can assist with criminal court records requests. Walk-in visits are handled during business hours at the Saginaw Street courthouse.
Genesee County is the fourth most populous county in Michigan. The 7th Circuit Court has a large caseload that includes a wide range of felony cases. Records going back many decades are maintained in the clerk's archives. Staff can search by case number, party name, or date of filing. For older cases, allow extra time when submitting requests.
FOIA requests for law enforcement records, like police reports from the Flint Police Department or the Genesee County Sheriff, go to those agencies separately. Court records from the 7th Circuit go through the clerk's office directly under MCR 8.119.
| Office | Genesee County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502 |
| Clerk Phone | (810) 257-3225 |
| 7th Circuit Court | (810) 257-3407 |
| Website | geneseecountymi.gov |
7th Circuit Court Felony Records
The 7th Circuit Court is one of Michigan's high-volume felony courts. All felony charges originating in Genesee County, including Flint, Flint Township, Burton, Grand Blanc, and surrounding communities, are processed here. The circuit court holds jurisdiction from arraignment through final sentencing. After sentencing, records stay in the clerk's file permanently unless expunged by court order.
Common case records include the felony information or indictment, arrest warrants, arraignment records, bond orders, motions, hearing transcripts, plea agreements, and judgments of sentence. These documents are part of the public file under MCR 8.119. The clerk makes copies for anyone who pays the copy fee. Sealed cases and juvenile records are not available.
The 7th Circuit also handles post-conviction motions, including motions for resentencing and certain appeals. These create additional records tied to the original case number. If you need complete case history, ask the clerk for the full docket sheet, which lists every filing in chronological order.
How to Search Genesee County Criminal Court Records
The Genesee County government website is the official source for county departments, including the clerk and courts. Check it for office hours, any special procedures, and direct contact links for the 7th Circuit Court.
For statewide case lookups, use the MiCOURT case search. This free tool searches participating courts across Michigan by name or case number. Genesee County cases may appear in MiCOURT with basic status and docket info. For complete case documents, go to the clerk's office.
The Michigan State Police ICHAT tool at michigan.gov/ichat is another option for searching criminal history by name. It costs $10 per search and pulls data from law enforcement reports submitted to the state. Results reflect what agencies have reported under MCL 28.241a.
Note: ICHAT does not replace a full court record search. It shows criminal history compiled by the state, not the complete case file held by the clerk.Fees and Records Request Process
Copy fees for Genesee County criminal court records follow Michigan's standard schedule. Call (810) 257-3225 before visiting to confirm current per-page rates. Standard copies are typically $1.00 to $2.00 per page. Certified copies cost more due to the certification fee on top of the per-page charge. Bring payment in cash or check made payable to Genesee County Clerk.
In-person requests at the Saginaw Street courthouse are the fastest way to get documents. Bring the defendant's full name, date of birth, and the approximate year of the case. Case number makes the search faster. Staff will pull the docket and quote a cost before copying. FOIA requests for law enforcement records go to the Flint Police Department or the Genesee County Sheriff, not the court clerk.
Mail requests work for cases where you know the case number. Include a written request, case information, return address, and estimated payment. The clerk will contact you if the actual cost differs. Send mail requests to 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502. Under MCL 15.234, the first $20 of FOIA fees can be waived for indigent requesters, but that rule applies to agency records, not court copies.
Online Resources for Genesee County Cases
The Michigan Courts website lists all circuits in the state and provides links to case search tools. For Genesee County, the site confirms the 7th Circuit Court jurisdiction and provides links to forms and court rules that apply to criminal proceedings here.
Michigan Legal Help is a free statewide resource for people navigating the courts without an attorney. It has sections on criminal cases, what records are public, and how to request them. The site also covers expungement, which affects which records remain searchable in Genesee County over time.
Michigan's e-filing system, MiFILE, is available at mifile.courts.michigan.gov. Check the available courts list to see if the 7th Circuit Court participates in electronic filing. For MSP records, use the FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia.
The MiCOURT case search tool is free and lets you look up Genesee County cases by name or number. Start here before contacting the clerk for full documents.
FOIA and Court Record Access in Genesee County
Understanding which office to contact saves time when searching for Genesee County criminal records. Court records, like those from the 7th Circuit Court, come from the clerk's office. These are governed by MCR 8.119, not FOIA. You walk in, ask for a case, pay the copy fee, and get the documents. No formal FOIA request is needed.
Records held by law enforcement are different. The Flint Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff, and other local agencies hold police reports, arrest records, and incident documentation. These are subject to FOIA under MCL 15.231. Submit a written FOIA request to the specific agency. The agency has 5 business days to respond and may charge for copies and staff time. Fee waivers are available for people with low income who file an affidavit of indigency.
Michigan State Police FOIA requests go through michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. The MSP FOIA portal allows online submission, status tracking, and electronic payment of fees. The standard processing fee is $2.00 for MSP FOIA requests.
Legal Resources in Genesee County
Genesee County has legal aid resources that serve low-income residents. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, which operates in Flint, provides free civil legal help to qualifying individuals. Their Flint office can be reached at (810) 234-2621. Criminal defense cases typically need a private attorney or a court-appointed public defender if you qualify.
Michigan Legal Help has self-help resources for understanding criminal court proceedings in Genesee County. The site covers what to expect at each stage, how to read court documents, and how to request records. It is a useful starting point before hiring a lawyer or visiting the courthouse.
For attorney referrals, contact the State Bar of Michigan at (800) 968-0738. They can provide a referral to a criminal defense attorney licensed in Genesee County. The first consultation is often $25 for 30 minutes through the referral program. Court forms are available at the clerk's office or through Michigan Courts online.
Cities in Genesee County
Genesee County includes several cities and townships. Flint is the county seat and home to the 7th Circuit Court where all felony criminal records are filed.
Other communities in Genesee County include Burton, Grand Blanc, Flushing, and Davison. These areas file criminal cases at the 7th Circuit Court in Flint.
Nearby Counties
Genesee County is in east-central Michigan. Its neighbors cover a range of court jurisdictions. If a case spans county lines, check each court separately.