Search Leelanau County Criminal Court Records

Leelanau County criminal court records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office in Suttons Bay. Leelanau is part of the 13th Circuit Court, which covers Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau counties. This page explains where to find records, how to request them, and what tools are available online.

Leelanau County Clerk's Office

The Leelanau County Clerk's Office is at 8527 East Government Center Drive, Suite 103, in Suttons Bay. The clerk holds all circuit court criminal filings for the county. Both the 13th Circuit Court and the district court serving the area maintain records through this office. You can visit in person or submit a written request to get copies.

The 13th Circuit Court spans three counties: Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau. The main circuit court operations for the 13th are handled out of Traverse City in Grand Traverse County, but Leelanau County has its own clerk office for local records. If you have a Leelanau County case, start with the Suttons Bay office. Use the same number, (231) 256-9824, for both the clerk and circuit court inquiries related to Leelanau cases.

The 13th Circuit Court information is centralized through Grand Traverse County. The clerk page at gtcountymi.gov has details on the circuit court that serves Leelanau. The image below shows that page.

The 13th Circuit Court page covers court procedures, contact information, and forms. For cases specifically from Leelanau County, your local clerk in Suttons Bay is the right starting point.

How to Search Leelanau County Criminal Records

Leelanau County does not have a county-specific online case search portal. Your main options are the statewide MiCOURT system, in-person visits, or written mail requests. For most basic case information, MiCOURT is a good first step.

Use MiCOURT from the Michigan Supreme Court to search for Leelanau County criminal cases by name or case number. This is free and covers many Michigan courts. The image below shows the MiCOURT interface for case searches.

MiCOURT gives you basic case data, docket entries, and hearing schedules. Not all documents are available online. Full case files require an in-person visit or mail request to the Leelanau County Clerk. Search results from MiCOURT are a starting point, not a complete record.

For in-person access, visit 8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suite 103, in Suttons Bay during business hours. Bring a valid ID and know the name or case number you are looking for. Call ahead at (231) 256-9824 to confirm current hours and whether an appointment is needed. Mail requests should go to the same address and include your full contact information and a description of the records needed.

Record Request Fees

Leelanau County follows the Michigan standard fee schedule for court records. Plain copies run $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 for the first document and $5.00 for each additional. These fees are paid to the clerk at the time of the request, either in person or by check with a mail request.

If you need a statewide criminal history check rather than a specific court file, use the ICHAT tool through the Michigan State Police. The fee is $10 per name. ICHAT pulls from law enforcement agencies across the state and gives a broader picture than one court's records. Certified copies from the clerk are still needed for legal uses like court filings or licensing applications.

Fee waivers under MCL 15.234 cover the first $20 of FOIA fees for people who qualify as indigent. Court record fees are separate. Ask the clerk what waiver options exist if cost is an issue.

Online Access for Leelanau Records

State-level tools work for Leelanau County even without a county-specific portal. MiCOURT, ICHAT, and the Michigan Courts website all cover this area. These tools are free or low-cost and available any time.

The Michigan Courts website has court contact info for the 13th Circuit and other courts serving Leelanau. The MiFILE system handles electronic filings for courts that participate. For self-help guides and plain-language explanations of how to read court records, go to Michigan Legal Help. Their resources are free and cover common questions about accessing criminal records in Michigan. The MSP FOIA portal handles requests for state police records, which are separate from court case files.

Court Records vs. FOIA in Leelanau County

Court records at the Leelanau County Clerk are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Under MCR 8.119, court records are accessed through the clerk. FOIA under MCL 15.231 applies to other government bodies, such as local police and the county sheriff.

If you want an arrest report or incident record from the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office, submit a FOIA request to that agency. The response time is 5 business days by law, with up to 10 more for complex requests. For court case records, go directly to the clerk's office. Criminal history records as defined under MCL 28.241a include arrests, charges, and convictions and are generally public unless sealed by a court order.

Legal Help for Leelanau County Residents

Residents of Leelanau County can access legal help through northern Michigan legal aid organizations. Legal Aid of Western Michigan covers some UP and northern Lower Peninsula counties. The Northwestern Michigan Community Action Agency sometimes refers residents to legal help. Michigan Legal Help has free online guides on how to find and request criminal court records. For matters that need an attorney, the State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service can connect you with someone who handles criminal record questions or expungements. Many attorneys serve northern Michigan clients remotely.

Cities in Leelanau County

Leelanau County has no qualifying cities with dedicated pages on this site. Suttons Bay is the county seat. All criminal cases for Leelanau County are filed with the County Clerk in Suttons Bay and handled through the 13th Circuit Court.

Nearby Counties

Leelanau County sits at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula in northwestern Lower Michigan. These neighboring counties may have jurisdiction over cases near the county line.