Monroe County Criminal Court Records

Monroe County criminal court records are maintained by the County Clerk in Monroe, Michigan. The 38th Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases for the county, and the 1st District Court handles misdemeanor matters. You can search Monroe County criminal court records in person at the courthouse at 106 E. First Street, through MiCOURT online, or by mail. The clerk's office phone is (734) 240-7020 and the office observes a midday break from noon to 1:00 PM.

Monroe County Clerk and Court Offices

The Monroe County Clerk's office is at 106 E. First Street in Monroe, and handles records for both the circuit court and the district court. The phone is (734) 240-7020, and the fax is (734) 240-7045. Office hours are 8:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM; plan your visit or call during the open periods to avoid the midday break.

The 38th Circuit Court handles all felony criminal matters in Monroe County. Felony cases include serious drug offenses, assault, weapons charges, breaking and entering, homicide, and other major crimes. The circuit court file is the primary public record for any felony prosecution and contains the charging documents, motions, hearings, plea agreement or trial transcript, and the sentencing order.

The 1st District Court at (734) 240-7075 handles misdemeanor criminal cases and is the first court for felony proceedings before they move to circuit court. District court records include arraignment details, bail conditions, and preliminary hearing records. Both the circuit court and the district court are located at 106 E. First Street. Monroe County is situated along the Ohio border in southeast Michigan, just south of the greater Detroit metro area.

How to Search Monroe County Criminal Court Records

The main online tool for Monroe County case lookups is MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. This free statewide system covers both the 38th Circuit Court and the 1st District Court. Search by name or case number to see case status, docket activity, and party information. Recent and active cases typically appear in MiCOURT. Older records may require a direct request to the clerk.

For in-person access, visit 106 E. First Street in Monroe. Note the midday break from noon to 1:00 PM when the office is closed. Arrive before 11:30 AM or after 1:00 PM to ensure staff are available. Bring a case number or full name of the defendant. Staff can pull the file and make copies at $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost extra.

Mail requests go to: Monroe County Clerk, 106 E. First St., Monroe, MI 48161. Include the full name, approximate year, and type of record. Include a return address so the clerk can respond with the fee before processing. Send a check or money order payable to Monroe County Clerk along with your request once the fee is confirmed.

38th Circuit Court Criminal Cases

The 38th Circuit Court covers Monroe County only. It is a single-county circuit, which means all felony cases filed in Monroe County go through the same court. The circuit court case file is public under MCR 8.119 unless sealed by a judge. Access requires going to the clerk's office at 106 E. First Street during business hours, or submitting a mail request with payment.

If you need records from a specific felony case and already have the case number, the process is straightforward: contact the clerk, provide the case number, and arrange to pay the copy fee. If you only have a name and approximate year, MiCOURT can often give you the case number before you contact the clerk. That saves time and may avoid a search fee.

Copy Fees and Records Procedures

Standard copy fees at the Monroe County Clerk are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $10.00 fee per document. A ten-page certified record costs $20.00 total. Search fees may apply when staff must search without a specific case number, charged under MCL 15.234 based on actual staff time. Call (734) 240-7020 to get a fee estimate before mailing a request.

For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to Monroe County Clerk. Do not send cash. Allow extra time for archived records. Indigent requesters may seek a waiver of the first $20 in fees by submitting an affidavit of indigency.

Online Case Search Tools

MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is the primary free tool for Monroe County criminal case searches. For statewide criminal history background checks, ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat costs $10 per name and returns data from the Michigan State Police statewide criminal history database. ICHAT covers Monroe County arrests and convictions alongside records from other Michigan courts.

Michigan's e-filing system MiFILE may offer online access to some electronically filed Monroe County court documents. Check the available courts list to confirm whether the 38th Circuit Court or 1st District Court participates in MiFILE for public document access.

The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov provides access to MiCOURT, court forms, and statewide resources for criminal court record searches including Monroe County.

FOIA and Court Records

Criminal court case files in Monroe County are not subject to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. FOIA under MCL 15.231 covers administrative government records. Court case files are governed by MCR 8.119 and must be requested from the circuit court clerk at (734) 240-7020. A FOIA request for criminal court records will be denied and redirected to the clerk.

Legal Resources for Monroe County

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides free guides on court records and expungement for all Michigan counties including Monroe. The MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles state police records requests. Under MCL 28.241a, criminal history records include personal identifiers and reported arrests, charges, and convictions from statewide repositories.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County is in southeastern Michigan near the Ohio border. The city of Monroe is the county seat and the main population center. No communities in Monroe County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Criminal court records for Monroe and surrounding communities are handled through the Monroe County Clerk and the 38th Circuit Court at 106 E. First Street.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Monroe County. Check the appropriate county if a case was filed elsewhere.