Saginaw County Criminal Court Records

Saginaw County criminal court records are available through the County Clerk's office at 111 S. Michigan Avenue in Saginaw. The 10th Judicial Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases and the 70th District Court covers misdemeanors. You can search cases online through MiCOURT, request them in person, or send a mail request to the Circuit Court Records office.

Saginaw County Clerk and Circuit Court Records

The Saginaw County Clerk's office sits at 111 S. Michigan Avenue and is the main hub for criminal court records. The general clerk line is (989) 790-5251, and the Circuit Court Records office has its own direct number at (989) 790-5540. For email correspondence, contact myelsik@saginawcounty.com. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can search for case records by name or case number and process copy requests.

The 10th Judicial Circuit Court is one of the busier circuit courts in Michigan's mid-state region. It handles all felony criminal cases filed in Saginaw County. The 70th District Court is at the same address and covers misdemeanor criminal matters. If you are searching for a case and are not sure whether it was a felony or misdemeanor, call the Circuit Court Records office first. They can check both courts.

One important procedural note: as of June 28, 2021, Saginaw County no longer accepts records requests by fax or email. All requests must be submitted in person or by mail. This applies specifically to the Circuit Court Records office. Plan accordingly if you are not able to visit the courthouse in Saginaw.

The Saginaw County Circuit Court Records page describes how to request criminal court records and what fees apply for copies and certified documents.

10th Circuit Court: Felony Case Records

The 10th Judicial Circuit Court is the main trial court for felony cases in Saginaw County. Criminal records at this court include charging documents, preliminary examination transcripts, motions, plea agreements, jury trial records where applicable, and judgments of sentence. These are public records under Michigan Court Rules, particularly MCR 8.119, with limited exceptions for sealed files or cases involving minors. You can request access as a member of the public without needing to be a party to the case.

Saginaw County is a major urban center in mid-Michigan, and the 10th Circuit Court handles a substantial caseload compared to smaller rural counties. Case files can be extensive, especially for major felony prosecutions. If you are looking for a specific document within a large case file, it helps to know what you are looking for before you call. The clerk's staff can tell you whether a specific document is in the file and how many pages it contains so you can estimate the copy cost.

Note: Court case files are not subject to FOIA. Access is governed by MCR 8.119. Submit requests directly to the Circuit Court Records office, not to the county FOIA coordinator.

How to Search Saginaw County Criminal Records

For online searches, start with MiCOURT. This free state system lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. You can see case status, docket entries, and hearing schedules. Coverage can vary, but MiCOURT is the most practical starting point for a quick online search before calling or visiting in person.

In-person visits to the Circuit Court Records office at 111 S. Michigan Avenue are the most thorough approach. Bring a name, case number, or approximate filing date. The records staff can search by any of these identifiers and pull up the file. Copies are made on-site and payment is collected before you leave. The visit usually takes between 15 and 45 minutes depending on the size of the file and how busy the office is.

For mail requests, send a written request to: Saginaw County Circuit Court Records, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Saginaw, MI 48602. Include the full name, type of record needed, approximate case date, and your return address and phone number. Remember that fax and email requests have not been accepted since June 28, 2021, so phone or mail are your two non-in-person options.

Saginaw County Record Request Fees

Saginaw County has specific published fees for criminal court records. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $10.00 per document plus $1.00 per page. A record search costs $10.00 for the first name searched and $1.00 for each additional name in the same request. These fees are set by the court and reflect the staff time required to locate and process records.

Fee waivers may be available for people who qualify as indigent under MCL 15.234. The first $20.00 of fees can be waived with a written affidavit of indigency. Ask the Circuit Court Records office about this option when you contact them. For most requests with a known case number, search fees are minimal or waived since the clerk can locate the file quickly without extended research time.

Note: Payment must accompany mail requests or be made at the time of pickup for in-person visits. The clerk does not send records before payment is received.

Online Tools for Saginaw County Court Records

Michigan's free case search system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is the primary online tool. The Michigan Courts homepage provides guides on the court structure, how records are organized, and what you can expect when accessing case files. For e-filed cases in Saginaw County, the MiFILE courts list will show whether the 10th Circuit Court or 70th District Court participate in the state's electronic filing system.

ICHAT through the Michigan State Police is a separate tool for broader criminal history checks. You can run a name-based search at michigan.gov/ichat for $10.00. ICHAT shows criminal history data from participating agencies statewide and is governed by MCL 28.241a. This is different from searching court case files and is used more often for employment background checks or general history inquiries.

FOIA Requests vs. Court Record Access

In Saginaw County, the difference between a FOIA request and a court records request matters a lot. FOIA under MCL 15.231 covers administrative records of government agencies. It does not cover court case files. Those are governed by MCR 8.119 and must be requested from the court clerk directly. If you send a FOIA request to Saginaw County asking for a criminal case file, the county is required to deny it and tell you to contact the court clerk instead.

For records not part of a court case, such as Saginaw County Sheriff reports or incident records, use FOIA directed to that agency. Keep in mind that active investigation records are generally exempt from FOIA. Closed case reports from law enforcement are often available once the investigation is complete. For Michigan State Police records, use the online portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia.

Legal Resources for Saginaw County

Legal aid and self-help resources are available for people in Saginaw County dealing with criminal matters. Michigan Legal Help is a free nonprofit site that explains court procedures, record access, and legal rights in plain language. It covers Saginaw County cases and can help you understand what to expect when requesting records or dealing with the court system. The site also has downloadable forms and step-by-step guides.

The Saginaw County public records portal at saginawcounty.com has general information about what records the clerk's office keeps and how to request them. For MSP FOIA requests related to state police records, contact the Records Resource Section at (517) 241-1934 or use the online portal. Fee waivers for indigent requesters are available under MCL 15.234 for both FOIA and court copy fee contexts.

Cities in Saginaw County

Saginaw County is home to several communities in mid-Michigan. The city of Saginaw is the county seat and the main population center. No cities in Saginaw County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All criminal court cases in the county are handled through the 10th Judicial Circuit Court and the 70th District Court at the Saginaw courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Saginaw County. Check neighboring counties if you are not sure where a case was filed or if you need records from an adjacent jurisdiction.