Oakland County Criminal Court Records
Oakland County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac. As one of the most populous counties in Michigan, Oakland handles a large volume of criminal cases each year. You can search records online, request copies in person at the courthouse, or submit requests by mail through the Oakland County Clerk's office.
Oakland County Overview
Oakland County Clerk and 6th Circuit Court
The Oakland County Clerk and the 6th Circuit Court are both located at 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341. The main phone number for the county is (248) 858-1000. This courthouse handles all felony criminal cases in Oakland County, plus civil matters and family law. The Clerk's office is the right place to go for copies of court documents, case records, and public access to case files.
Oakland County is the second most populous county in Michigan. The volume of criminal filings here is substantial. Staff at the clerk's office deal with record requests on a regular basis. When you go in person, bring the full name of the person whose records you are looking for and, if you have it, the case number or approximate year. That helps staff pull records faster. The county's main website is at oakgov.com and has department contacts and service information.
Under Michigan Court Rules, specifically MCR 8.119, court case records are public unless a judge has ordered them sealed. Most criminal case records in Oakland County are open to anyone who requests them. Financial records, juvenile cases, and some other sensitive materials may have restricted access.
| Address | 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (248) 858-1000 |
| Circuit Court | 6th Circuit Court, same address |
| Website | oakgov.com |
6th Circuit Court Criminal Proceedings
The 6th Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases filed in Oakland County. Felony cases include serious charges like assault with a weapon, drug trafficking, robbery, and homicide. Each case that goes through the Circuit Court creates a public record that includes the charging documents, hearing transcripts, plea agreements, and the final judgment or sentencing order. These records are kept permanently by the clerk and are available to the public.
District Courts in Oakland County handle misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for felonies. There are multiple District Court divisions across the county serving different municipalities. If you are searching for a misdemeanor case or an arraignment record, you may need to find the specific District Court that covers the area where the offense occurred. Oakland County has several district courts, each with its own jurisdiction.
Michigan criminal history records fall under MCL 28.241a. The law defines what counts as a criminal history record and sets out who can access full records versus summary data. Court records and criminal history records are related but not the same thing. Criminal history comes from law enforcement agencies. Court records come from the clerk's office at the courthouse.
Searching Oakland County Criminal Court Records
Oakland County offers online access to case records through the county's website and through the statewide MiCOURT system. Start with MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. It is free, requires no registration, and lets you search by name, case number, or attorney. Oakland County cases should appear in the MiCOURT system for most criminal matters.
For in-person access, go to 1200 N. Telegraph Rd. in Pontiac. The clerk's office can search by name or case number and provide printed copies while you wait. Bring a photo ID. If you need certified copies, the clerk can provide those too. Certified copies cost more than standard copies and are used when you need legal proof of a court order or disposition. Call (248) 858-1000 before you go to confirm current hours and any walk-in procedures.
For accident reports involving criminal matters, Oakland County uses the CLEMIS system. You can access accident reports through the CLEMIS payment portal at payments.clemis.org/extservices/. CLEMIS covers many law enforcement records in Oakland County and nearby communities.
Oakland County Court Record Fees
Oakland County follows the standard Michigan court fee schedule for copies of criminal records. Copy fees vary by document type. Certified copies carry a higher fee than plain paper copies. For current rates, call the clerk at (248) 858-1000 or check the county website at oakgov.com before your visit or mail request.
Payment methods accepted in person typically include cash, check, and money order. Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the Oakland County Clerk. Include your contact information, the full name of the subject, the case number if you have it, the approximate year of the case, and the specific documents you need. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps speed up the return.
Fee waivers may be available under MCL 15.234 for people who qualify as indigent. Submit an Affidavit of Indigency with your request. The first $20 of FOIA-related fees can be waived. Court record fees under MCR 8.119 follow a different process, so ask the clerk directly about waiver options for court copies.
Online Tools for Oakland County Criminal Records
The primary online tool for Oakland County criminal court records is MiCOURT, operated by the Michigan Supreme Court at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. The system is free and open to the public. You can search by full name or partial name, by case number, or by attorney name. Results show case type, parties involved, court dates, and case status. Full documents may require an in-person or mail request.
Michigan State Police ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat gives you a name-based criminal history search across all Michigan jurisdictions for $10. This is useful when you want to know if someone has criminal records in multiple counties, not just Oakland. You need to register and pay by card. ICHAT results show arrests and convictions from agencies that report to the Michigan State Police criminal history system.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov explains the court structure, how to use MiCOURT, and where to find local court contacts. It is a reliable starting point when you are not sure which tool or office handles the type of record you need.
The CLEMIS payment portal at payments.clemis.org gives access to accident reports and law enforcement records for Oakland County and surrounding communities.
The Michigan Courts homepage at courts.michigan.gov is the official source for court information, including how to search for Oakland County criminal case records.
FOIA Requests vs. Court Record Requests
Oakland County is a large jurisdiction with multiple agencies. Knowing which process to use saves time. Court case files are governed by MCR 8.119 and must be requested from the Circuit Court Clerk at 1200 N. Telegraph Rd. in Pontiac. FOIA, under MCL 15.231, covers records held by other county offices such as the Sheriff, prosecutor, or county departments.
If you want a police report or arrest record from a specific municipality in Oakland County, that request may go to that city or township's police department under its own FOIA process. Oakland County is home to dozens of cities and townships, each with its own law enforcement. The county sheriff covers unincorporated areas and some contracted communities. Direct your FOIA to the right agency based on where the arrest or incident happened.
Michigan's MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles requests to the Michigan State Police specifically. That portal is the right place for MSP-held records, not local Oakland County police records.
The MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia is where you submit FOIA requests to the Michigan State Police for records related to Oakland County or statewide criminal matters.
Legal Help in Oakland County
Oakland County has several legal aid resources for people who need help with criminal cases or court records. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a free online resource with guides covering criminal law, expungement, record access, and more. The site is designed for people who are representing themselves and provides step-by-step instructions.
Legal aid organizations that serve Oakland County may offer free or reduced-cost help to people who qualify by income. The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov maintains a list of legal aid resources by county. For electronic filing, MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov is available for Oakland County cases. Check the available courts list at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts to confirm which Oakland County courts accept e-filings for your case type.
Cities in Oakland County
Oakland County contains several large cities. Criminal cases in these cities are filed with the 6th Circuit Court or the relevant District Court in Pontiac. The qualifying cities below have individual pages on this site.
Other cities in Oakland County include Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Novi, Oak Park, Royal Oak, and others. All criminal filings from these cities go through the Oakland County court system.
Nearby Counties
Oakland County borders these counties. Cases from cities near county lines may sometimes be filed across the border. Use these links for information about neighboring county courts.