Search Roscommon County Criminal Court Records
Roscommon County criminal court records are held at the County Clerk's office in the city of Roscommon. The 34th Circuit Court handles felony cases and the 82nd District Court covers misdemeanors. Whether you need to search online, send a mail request, or visit the courthouse in person, this page walks you through how criminal court records work in Roscommon County.
Roscommon County Overview
Roscommon County Clerk Contact Information
The County Clerk and Register of Deeds office in Roscommon is where you go to request criminal court records. Clerk Michelle M. Stevenson oversees this office at 500 Lake Street. The clerk's office maintains case files from both the circuit court and district court. Staff can search by name or case number and assist you with the records request process.
The 34th Circuit Court phone line is (989) 275-1902, and the 82nd District Court can be reached at (989) 275-5312. If you are not sure which court held a case, call the clerk's office first. They can tell you whether the case was a felony or misdemeanor matter and direct you to the right department. The courthouse sits in the heart of the city of Roscommon in northern Michigan's lake country.
The Roscommon County Clerk directory page lists current staff and contact information for the clerk and register of deeds offices.
| Office | Roscommon County Clerk / Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Michelle M. Stevenson |
| Address | 500 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653 |
| Phone | (989) 275-5923 |
| Fax | (989) 275-8640 |
| 34th Circuit Court | (989) 275-1902 | Fax: (989) 275-0602 |
| 82nd District Court | (989) 275-5312 |
34th Circuit Court Criminal Records
The 34th Circuit Court is the main felony trial court for Roscommon County. Charges like felony drug offenses, assault with a weapon, home invasion, and similar serious crimes all flow through this court. The complete case file at the circuit court includes the complaint or information, motions filed by both sides, plea agreements, trial transcripts if applicable, and the judgment of sentence. These records are public unless a judge has ordered a file sealed.
Access to court records in Michigan is governed by MCR 8.119, not FOIA. This means that a formal FOIA request will not get you criminal case files from the court. The right path is to contact the Clerk's office directly, ask for the record by case number or name, and pay the applicable copy fee. Under MCL 15.231, the state's FOIA law covers administrative government records, but court case files operate under a separate set of rules. Knowing this distinction saves time when making your request.
Note: For cases involving juveniles or records sealed by court order, access is restricted. The clerk's office will tell you if a record cannot be released.
How to Find Roscommon County Criminal Records
Start with MiCOURT, Michigan's free online case search system. You can look up cases by name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows case status, docket entries, and scheduled hearings. Not every county court fully participates, but MiCOURT is the best free option for a quick check before contacting the clerk's office directly.
For in-person access, visit 500 Lake Street in Roscommon. Bring the name of the person involved and, if you have it, a case number or year. Staff can search the records and let you know what is available. Copies are made on-site, and you pay before leaving. The process is generally quick for cases with a known case number.
Mail requests are also an option. Write to the Roscommon County Clerk at 500 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653. Describe the case clearly, include the name and approximate date, and provide your contact information. The clerk will respond with the fee before sending copies.
The Roscommon County jury information page offers context on how the local court system operates and what criminal cases look like from the court's perspective.
Record Request Fees in Roscommon County
Standard copy fees in Roscommon County align with Michigan's general court fee structure. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies run $10.00 plus the per-page fee. For large or complex files, ask for a cost estimate before submitting a full request. The clerk's office can give you a page count and total before you commit to the purchase.
Search fees may also apply when staff must search for records without a case number, since the county bills for the time of the lowest-paid capable employee under MCL 15.234. Having a case number ready reduces or eliminates search charges. Call (989) 275-5923 to ask about estimated costs for your specific request before submitting.
Online Resources for Criminal Records
Beyond MiCOURT, Michigan offers several other state-level tools. The Michigan Courts website has guides on how courts work and what types of records exist at each level. MiFILE is the state's e-filing system. Check the MiFILE available courts list to see if the 34th Circuit Court or 82nd District Court in Roscommon participate in online filing and document access.
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system at michigan.gov/ichat provides name-based criminal history searches for $10.00 per search. ICHAT pulls from state police records maintained under MCL 28.241a and shows arrests and convictions from agencies across Michigan. This is separate from individual court case files and is useful for background purposes when you want a broader record summary rather than a specific case file.
FOIA and Court Records: Key Differences
People sometimes try to use Michigan's Freedom of Information Act to get criminal court case files, and it does not work. Court records are governed by MCR 8.119, not FOIA. FOIA under MCL 15.231 covers administrative records kept by government agencies in their official functions. Court case files fall under court rules, and the right way to request them is through the clerk's office directly.
On the other hand, if you want police reports from the Roscommon County Sheriff or other law enforcement agencies, those can be requested through FOIA. Open investigation records are generally exempt, but closed case reports are often available. Contact the sheriff's office directly to submit a FOIA request for law enforcement records. For state police records, use the MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia.
Legal Help in Roscommon County
Michigan Legal Help is the go-to free resource for people dealing with court records, criminal cases, or legal questions in Roscommon County. The site explains Michigan's court structure, how to request records, and what steps to take in common court situations. It covers all 83 Michigan counties and is written for people without a legal background.
If you need help with a criminal case or record in Roscommon County, contact the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission or look into legal aid organizations that serve northern Michigan. The Michigan Courts website also has a list of self-help resources and forms. The Michigan State Police Records Resource Section at (517) 241-1934 handles questions about state-level criminal history records through ICHAT.
Cities in Roscommon County
Roscommon County is a rural county in north-central Michigan known for Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake. The county seat is the city of Roscommon. No communities in Roscommon County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All criminal court cases for the county go through the 34th Circuit Court or the 82nd District Court in Roscommon.
Nearby Counties
These counties are adjacent to Roscommon County. If you are researching a case from a neighboring area or are unsure which county court holds the records, check where the case was originally filed.