Houghton County Criminal Court Records

Houghton County criminal court records are kept by the County Clerk and cover all criminal cases filed in the 12th Circuit Court and 97th District Court. If you need to find case details, docket entries, or request copies of court documents, this guide covers how to search and what to expect from the process in Houghton County.

Houghton County Clerk and Circuit Court

The Houghton County Clerk handles criminal court records for the county. The clerk's office is on the second floor of the Houghton County Courthouse at 401 E. Houghton Ave. in Houghton. Jennifer Lorenz serves as the County Clerk. You can reach the main clerk line at (906) 482-1150 and the fax at (906) 483-0364. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The 12th Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases in Houghton County. You can reach that court at (906) 482-5420. Misdemeanor cases and lower-level criminal matters go through the 97th District Court, which you can reach at (906) 482-4980. Both courts are part of the same courthouse complex. The clerk's office serves as the records keeper for both court levels.

The county website at houghtoncounty.net has contact details and links to county services. For clerk-specific information you can also visit houghtoncounty.net/directory-clerk.php.

The county website offers useful information about clerk services. Below is a screenshot of the Houghton County website where you can find contact details and department information.

Visit houghtoncounty.net to find clerk contact info, court schedules, and other county services.

How to Search Houghton County Criminal Court Records

There are two main ways to search Houghton County criminal court records: in person at the courthouse or online through the state's MiCOURT system. Each method has its own benefits depending on what you need.

The free statewide case search tool is MiCOURT, run by the Michigan Supreme Court. Go to micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ to search by name or case number. MiCOURT shows basic case info including party names, case type, filing date, and docket entries. Not all older records appear online. The system covers the 12th Circuit Court and 97th District Court for Houghton County cases.

MiCOURT is the fastest way to check if a case exists and get a case number before heading to the courthouse. Use the screenshot above to see what the search interface looks like before you start.

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office on the second floor of the courthouse. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and pull paper records for older cases that may not be in the online system. Bring a valid ID. If you need certified copies, the clerk prepares them while you wait or mails them to you. For mail requests, send a written request to: Houghton County Clerk, 401 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI 49931. Include the case number or full name of the person you are searching, plus any known dates.

Note: Some records may be sealed or restricted by court order. Juvenile cases are not open to the public.

Fees and Copy Requests in Houghton County

Houghton County charges fees for record copies and record searches. Genealogy research requests cost $5.00 for a three-year search, plus $1.00 for each extra year. Regular copy fees are standard for Michigan courts, typically $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more and vary depending on the document type.

For online searches through MiCOURT, there is no charge. ICHAT criminal history searches through the Michigan State Police cost $10 per search. That system is at michigan.gov/ichat. You must register before searching and pay by credit or debit card. ICHAT pulls criminal history records from law enforcement agencies across the state, so it covers more than just Houghton County cases.

To pay for copies in person, bring cash or a check made out to Houghton County. Call ahead at (906) 482-1150 to confirm current fees and what forms of payment the office accepts. For mail requests, include a check with your request letter and ask the clerk to confirm the total before processing if you are unsure of the amount.

Online Resources for Houghton County Criminal Records

Several online tools can help you find Houghton County criminal court records without making a trip to the courthouse. MiCOURT is the main state tool. You can also check the Michigan Courts homepage at courts.michigan.gov for general court information and links to local courts.

The Michigan Courts site links to local court directories, court rules, and forms. Use it to find the contact page for the 12th Circuit Court or 97th District Court if you need to reach the courts directly.

The clerk information page at houghtoncounty.net/directory-clerk.php is another useful resource. It lists the current clerk's name and contact info. If you are looking to file documents or request records by mail, check this page for the most up-to-date contact information before sending anything.

FOIA Requests vs. Court Records in Houghton County

There is an important difference between FOIA requests and court record requests in Michigan. Court records in Houghton County are not subject to FOIA. They are governed by Michigan Court Rule MCR 8.119, which means you request them directly from the clerk of the court, not through the FOIA process.

FOIA applies to non-court public records held by government agencies. Under Michigan FOIA (MCL 15.231), agencies must respond within five business days. They can extend that by ten more days for complex requests. First-time requesters who qualify as indigent can get the first $20 in fees waived. If you want police reports, incident records, or other law enforcement documents from Houghton County agencies, you use FOIA for those.

For criminal history records from the Michigan State Police, use the FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. That system lets you submit requests online, track them, and pay the $2.00 processing fee electronically.

Note: Criminal history records defined under MCL 28.241a include personal identifiers plus felony and misdemeanor arrests, charges, and convictions from participating agencies statewide.

Legal Help Resources in Houghton County

If you need help understanding criminal court records or navigating the process in Houghton County, several free and low-cost resources exist. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides for people handling court matters without a lawyer. The site covers how to read dockets, request records, and understand case statuses.

Houghton County is in the Upper Peninsula, which limits in-person legal aid options compared to more populated areas. Legal Services of Northern Michigan and the State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service can help you find an attorney if needed. The State Bar referral number is (800) 968-0738. For self-represented parties, Michigan Legal Help has step-by-step guides tailored to Michigan's court system and local courts like those in Houghton County.

Cities in Houghton County

The county seat is Houghton, which is also home to the courthouse where criminal court records are filed and maintained. Other communities in the county include Hancock, Calumet, and Laurium. None of these cities meet the population threshold for individual city pages, but all Houghton County residents file criminal cases at the same courthouse in Houghton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Houghton County. Each has its own clerk's office and court system. If you are unsure which county has your records, check the address where the case was filed.