Find Criminal Court Records in Wayne County

Wayne County criminal court records are handled by the County Clerk, the 3rd Judicial Circuit Court, and the 36th District Court in Detroit. As the most populous county in Michigan, Wayne County processes more criminal cases than any other in the state. This page covers how to search case records, request documents, use online tools, and find the right court for your needs. Whether you need basic case info or certified copies of court orders, the options below will get you started.

Wayne County Clerk and Court Contact Info

The Wayne County Clerk's Office is the starting point for most criminal court record requests. The clerk stores case files, processes certified copy requests, and maintains the official docket for Circuit Court cases. The office is located at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in downtown Detroit.

The 3rd Judicial Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases for Wayne County. It is one of the largest circuit courts in the country by caseload. The court sits at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center as well. All felony trials, plea agreements, and sentencing records for Wayne County go through the 3rd Circuit. Its official website at 3rdcc.org has information on court divisions, case scheduling, and how to contact specific departments.

The 36th District Court at 421 Madison Street in Detroit handles misdemeanor cases, traffic matters, and felony arraignments. It is one of the busiest district courts in the country. The 36th District has its own website at 36thdistrictcourt.org where you can find court schedules, forms, and contact numbers. If you are looking for a misdemeanor conviction record, a traffic offense, or a low-level criminal matter, the 36th District is the right place to start.

The Wayne County government portal shown above at waynecounty.com provides links to court departments, clerk services, and public records for Wayne County criminal cases.

3rd Circuit Court and 36th District Court

Wayne County has two main criminal courts. The 3rd Judicial Circuit Court handles felonies. That means drug charges, assault cases, weapons offenses, and other crimes where the penalty can exceed a year in prison. Felony cases start with an arraignment in district court, then move to circuit court for trial or plea. Once a felony case is resolved, the Circuit Court Clerk maintains the records going forward.

The 3rd Judicial Circuit Court site shown above covers case information, court divisions, and how to request records for felony criminal cases filed in Wayne County.

The 36th District Court handles the other end of the spectrum. Misdemeanors, civil infractions, small claims, and felony arraignments all flow through the 36th. It processes a massive volume of cases each year. If you need a record of a misdemeanor charge or a traffic-related criminal matter in Wayne County, the 36th District Court is where that file lives. The court's website has an online case lookup tool and information on how to request records.

The 36th District Court shown above is the primary court for misdemeanor criminal records in Wayne County. Use its online tools or contact the court directly for lower-level case records.

How to Search Wayne County Criminal Records

The fastest way to find a Wayne County criminal case online is through the MiCOURT case search system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. This free tool lets you search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show the case type, court, charges, and hearing dates. It covers many Michigan courts including Wayne County. Not all documents are viewable online, but you can get enough information to know what file exists and what court to contact.

To search in person, visit the Wayne County Clerk at 201 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. Bring the name of the person you are searching and the approximate year the case was filed. If you have a case number, bring that too. Staff will pull up the record and let you review what is available. Certified copies can be ordered at the counter. For 36th District Court records, go directly to 421 Madison Street, since the District Court maintains its own records separate from the Circuit Court clerk.

Mail requests are accepted by the clerk's office. Send a written request with the full name, date of birth if known, and year or case number. Include payment for copy fees. The clerk processes requests as they come in, so allow several days for a response. For urgent requests, call ahead to ask about processing times.

Wayne County Court Record Fees

Copy fees in Michigan courts are governed by MCR 8.119. Standard per-page fees run from $0.10 to $1.00 depending on document type. Certified copies carry a higher fee because they include the clerk's seal and signature. You need a certified copy for most legal uses, such as submitting records to another court or government agency.

The ICHAT criminal history search through the Michigan State Police costs $10 per name-based search. This is separate from a court record request. ICHAT pulls from statewide arrest and conviction data maintained by MSP under MCL 28.241a. It is a good option when you want to see all criminal history for a person across multiple Michigan counties, not just Wayne County.

Some fees may be waived. Under MCL 15.234, the first $20 of fees is waived for people who submit an Affidavit of Indigency. Court record fees operate under a different standard, but the clerk's office can tell you what waiver options exist. Fee waivers also apply if the disclosure serves the public interest rather than a commercial one.

Note: Always confirm the current fee schedule with the Wayne County Clerk or the specific court before sending payment, as fees can change.

Online Records Tools for Wayne County

Several online tools cover Wayne County criminal court records. MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is the state's free case search system. It covers most Michigan courts and gives basic case data at no cost. The 36th District Court website at 36thdistrictcourt.org also has its own case lookup options for district-level matters.

MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov is Michigan's e-filing system. Wayne County courts participate in MiFILE for many types of filings. Check the available courts list to see which Wayne County courts accept online submissions. This is mainly for attorneys and parties filing documents, not for record searches.

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org covers Wayne County court procedures and has guides for people who need to navigate the criminal court system without a lawyer. Topics include how to respond to a summons, how to get a case expunged, and how to find records. It's free and written in plain language.

The MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles requests for state police records, which are different from court records. If you need a Wayne County police report or a state police incident record, this is where you go. The processing fee is $2.00 for online submissions.

FOIA and Court Records: What's Different

In Wayne County, as in all Michigan counties, court records and FOIA records are two separate things. Court records fall under MCR 8.119 and are requested from the Clerk of the Court. FOIA records under MCL 15.231 cover police reports, government agency documents, and other public body records. You cannot use a FOIA request to get a court file. You go to the clerk for that.

If you want a Detroit Police Department report connected to a criminal case, that is a city FOIA request through Detroit. If you want the court file for the same case, go to the Wayne County Clerk or the relevant court. The two requests are independent. You may need both if you want the full picture of a case from arrest through sentencing.

Criminal history records maintained by MSP under MCL 28.241a are a third category. ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat is the tool for those. It shows arrest and conviction data across Michigan. It does not show full court files, but it gives a statewide overview for $10 per search.

Legal Resources in Wayne County

Wayne County has several legal aid organizations that can help people who cannot afford an attorney. Legal Aid and Defender Association (LADA) serves Wayne County and offers representation in criminal cases for qualifying clients. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides and tools for self-represented people dealing with criminal matters.

The State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service can connect you with a Wayne County attorney who handles criminal defense. For expungement help, Michigan's Clean Slate law expanded eligibility significantly. Many first-time and nonviolent offenders now qualify to have records cleared. A legal aid attorney or a pro bono clinic can review your record to see if you qualify. Wayne County has several law school clinics and nonprofit legal groups that handle expungement cases at low or no cost.

Note: If you are facing a criminal charge in Wayne County, you have the right to a public defender if you cannot afford an attorney. Contact the court as soon as possible to request one.

Cities in Wayne County

Wayne County includes Detroit and many other large cities. All criminal cases in Wayne County go through the county courts, regardless of which city the arrest or offense occurred in. The county clerk and the 3rd Circuit Court serve the entire county.

Other communities in Wayne County include Inkster, Romulus, Garden City, Taylor, Allen Park, Wyandotte, and many more. Criminal cases from all Wayne County communities are handled at the 3rd Circuit Court and 36th District Court in Detroit.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Wayne County. Each has its own clerk and courthouse. If a case was filed outside Wayne County, you will need to contact the correct county court.