Find Criminal Court Records in Oceana County
Oceana County criminal court records are held at the 27th Circuit Court and the 78th District Court in Hart, Michigan. If you need to search for a criminal case, get a copy of a court document, or look up a docket entry, this page explains how to do it through the Oceana County Clerk and the county's courts.
Oceana County Overview
Oceana County Clerk and Circuit Court
The Oceana County Clerk's office is at 100 State Street, Suite 1, Hart, MI 49420. The phone is (231) 873-4609 and fax is (231) 873-0074. The clerk's website is at oceana.mi.us. This office is your main contact for criminal court records, general county records, and public records requests in Oceana County.
The 27th Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases in Oceana County. The Circuit Court is located at 100 S State St, Suite M-10, Hart, MI 49420. The direct phone for Circuit Court is (231) 873-3977. Misdemeanor cases go to the 78th District Court, which can be reached at (231) 873-4530. Both courts are in the county courthouse in Hart. The Oceana County Circuit Court page has more detail on the court's jurisdiction and procedures.
Oceana County is a smaller rural county, so in-person visits and mail requests are the main ways to get copies. Staff are helpful and can assist with searches when you have a name or case number ready.
| County Clerk | 100 State Street, Suite 1, Hart, MI 49420 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (231) 873-4609 |
| Fax | (231) 873-0074 |
| Circuit Court | 100 S State St, Suite M-10, Hart, MI 49420 / (231) 873-3977 |
| District Court | (231) 873-4530 |
27th Circuit Court Criminal Cases
The 27th Circuit Court covers both Oceana County and Mason County. This shared circuit arrangement is common in less-populated areas of Michigan. For Oceana County cases, the court sits in Hart. Criminal proceedings under the Circuit Court's jurisdiction include all felony charges, which carry a potential sentence of more than one year in prison. The clerk maintains all case records under MCR 8.119 and must keep them accessible to the public unless a judge orders otherwise.
The 78th District Court in Oceana County handles misdemeanor criminal cases and preliminary hearings for felonies before they move to the Circuit Court. If you are looking for a misdemeanor conviction or a case that was resolved at the arraignment stage, the District Court is where those records live. Some older records may only be available in paper form, so call ahead before visiting.
Criminal records under Michigan law fall under MCL 28.241a, which defines criminal history records as government records of arrests, charges, and convictions. These are separate from court case files, though both cover the same events.
How to Search Oceana County Criminal Court Records
The main way to access Oceana County criminal court records in person is to visit the Circuit Court at 100 S State St in Hart. Bring the name of the person and the approximate year of the case if you have it. Staff can search by name or case number. For mail requests, write to the Oceana County Clerk at 100 State Street, Suite 1, Hart, MI 49420. Include a money order or check and a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request.
Online, the statewide MiCOURT case search at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ is the best starting point. It is free and does not require you to create an account. Search by the full name or a partial name. MiCOURT shows party names, case type, hearing dates, and case status for courts that participate in the system.
The Oceana County Clerk website at oceana.mi.us covers record request procedures, court information, and contact details for the Hart courthouse.
The Oceana County Circuit Court page provides information on the 27th Circuit Court's jurisdiction, case types, and how to access criminal court records in Hart.
Fees for Oceana County Court Documents
Oceana County charges $10.00 plus $1.00 per page for certified copies of court documents. Plain (uncertified) copies cost $0.25 per page from the Sheriff's office for certain criminal records. Court copy fees for Circuit Court records may differ slightly. Call (231) 873-4609 to confirm current rates before you send payment.
For mail requests, send a check or money order made out to the Oceana County Clerk. Include your return address, the name or case number you need, and the type of documents requested. A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) helps speed up the return of your copies. The county is small, so response times for mail requests are often reasonable, but this can vary depending on staff workload.
Note: If you qualify as indigent under MCL 15.234, you may request a waiver for the first $20 of fees on certain types of record requests. Ask the clerk directly about waiver options when you call or visit.
Online Access to Oceana Criminal Records
The statewide MiCOURT system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ is the primary online tool for Oceana County criminal records. Use it to get basic case information before requesting full documents. It is free and available any time. Search by name or case number and check the results for case status and docket entries.
Michigan State Police ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat provides name-based criminal history searches across Michigan for $10 per search. ICHAT is useful when you need a statewide view of someone's criminal record, not just what is on file in Oceana County. Registration and a card payment are required to use ICHAT.
For e-filing options, check MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov. The available courts page lists which Michigan courts accept electronic filings. If Oceana County is on the list for your case type, you can submit documents online rather than driving to Hart.
Court Records and FOIA in Oceana County
Court records in Oceana County are governed by MCR 8.119, not FOIA. You request them from the clerk's office. Michigan FOIA under MCL 15.231 covers other public agency records in the county, such as sheriff reports, 911 logs, and county department correspondence. These are separate from court case files.
If you need a copy of a police report from the Oceana County Sheriff's office, submit a written FOIA request to the Sheriff directly. The standard response time under Michigan FOIA is 5 business days with a possible 10-day extension. FOIA copy fees run from $0.10 to $1.00 per page depending on the document. For a FOIA request to the Michigan State Police, use the portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has easy-to-read guides on both court record access and FOIA procedures. It is a good first stop if you are unsure which type of request fits your situation.
Legal Resources for Oceana County
Residents of Oceana County who need legal help can use several free or low-cost options. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides self-help guides covering criminal law, record access, and court procedures. The guides are written in plain language and designed for people without legal training.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov lists legal aid organizations by county. Legal aid groups serve people who cannot afford a lawyer and handle various types of cases. For MSP-related records or statewide criminal history questions, the FOIA portal is at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov is available for courts that accept electronic filings in the 27th Circuit.
Cities in Oceana County
Hart is the county seat of Oceana County. Hart and the other communities in the county, including Shelby, Pentwater, and Hesperia, all file criminal cases with the 27th Circuit Court or the 78th District Court in Hart. No cities in Oceana County currently meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site.
Nearby Counties
Oceana County borders these counties. If a case you are looking for may have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, use the links below to check those county courts.