Wexford County Criminal Court Records

Wexford County criminal court records are held by the County Clerk in Cadillac, Michigan. The clerk's office keeps case files for criminal matters filed in the county, and state tools like MiCOURT give online access to basic case data. This page explains how to find Wexford County criminal records, request copies, and use the available online and in-person options.

Wexford County Clerk's Office

The Wexford County Clerk's Office in Cadillac is where criminal court records are stored and requested. The clerk handles all case filings, maintains the official docket, and processes copy requests. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. For certified copies, you will need to come in person or send a written request by mail.

Wexford County is part of the 28th Judicial Circuit, which covers both Wexford and Missaukee counties. The circuit court handles felony criminal cases for both counties. The district court handles misdemeanors and civil infractions. Both courts operate out of the courthouse in Cadillac. If you are not sure which court filed your case, call the clerk's office and they can point you to the right division.

The Wexford County government site shown above at wexfordcounty.org has department contacts, court information, and links to public services for residents seeking criminal court records.

How to Search Wexford County Criminal Records

The main online tool for Wexford County criminal court records is the MiCOURT case search system. It's free and run by the Michigan courts at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show the case type, court, charges, filing date, and hearing information. It covers most Michigan counties including Wexford. This is a good first stop before contacting the clerk.

The MiCOURT case search shown above is the primary online resource for finding Wexford County criminal case information without making a trip to the courthouse in Cadillac.

To search in person, visit the clerk at 437 E. Division Street in Cadillac. Bring the full name and, if possible, the year the case was filed or the case number. Staff will help you find the record and tell you what documents are available. Certified copies are ordered at the counter. If you are looking for a misdemeanor record from the district court, the process is the same but note that district court records may be maintained separately.

For mail requests, send a written request to the clerk's office with the name, date of birth if you have it, and the case number or year. Include payment for copy fees. The clerk will process your request and mail back what is available. Allow several business days for a response. If the record is not found or more information is needed, the clerk will let you know.

Fees and Copy Costs

Court record copy fees in Michigan are set by MCR 8.119. Standard per-page fees run from $0.10 to $1.00 depending on the document. Certified copies cost more because they carry the clerk's official seal. You need a certified copy when submitting records to another court, a licensing board, or an employer who requires verification.

The ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police charges $10 per name-based criminal history search. This is a statewide search, not just Wexford County. It pulls from arrest and conviction data maintained under MCL 28.241a. If you want to check a person's criminal history across all Michigan counties, ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat is the right tool. It requires registration and a credit or debit card.

Fee waivers are available under MCL 15.234 for people who qualify as indigent. The first $20 of fees is waived for qualifying individuals who submit an Affidavit of Indigency. Court record fees follow a separate process, so ask the clerk's office directly about any waiver options that may apply.

Online Tools for Wexford County Records

Beyond MiCOURT, a few other state tools are useful for finding criminal records connected to Wexford County. The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has general court information, forms, and links to individual court websites. For Wexford County, this is a good backup if MiCOURT doesn't return what you need.

MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov is the state e-filing platform. Not all Wexford County courts are on MiFILE, but check the available courts list to confirm. If the court accepts e-filings, you may be able to file documents or access some case materials online without driving to Cadillac.

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a free resource that covers criminal court procedures across Michigan including small counties like Wexford. It has plain-language guides on how to request records, how to respond to criminal charges, and how to handle expungement. For people without a lawyer, it is one of the most useful tools available.

The MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles requests for state police records, which differ from court records. If you need a Michigan State Police incident report or a document from MSP rather than from the Wexford County courts, use this portal. There is a $2.00 processing fee for online requests, and you can track your submission through the portal.

Court Records vs. FOIA Requests

It's worth understanding the difference between court records and FOIA records, since people often mix them up. Court records in Wexford County fall under MCR 8.119 and are requested directly from the Clerk of the Court. FOIA under MCL 15.231 covers records held by government agencies like the sheriff's office, county departments, and state agencies.

If you want a case file, a charging document, a plea agreement, or a sentencing order from Wexford County, contact the clerk's office. Those are court records. If you want a police report from the Wexford County Sheriff's Department or a county agency document, that is a FOIA request. You submit those to the relevant agency, not to the court.

Criminal history records are a third type. These are maintained by the Michigan State Police under MCL 28.241a and accessed through ICHAT. They show arrest and conviction data from across Michigan, including Wexford County cases. A name-based ICHAT search costs $10 and covers the whole state.

Legal Resources for Wexford County

Wexford County residents who need help with criminal matters have a few options. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is free and covers most situations a non-lawyer will face. Topics include how to find your case, how to get records, what expungement involves, and how to handle warrants. It is written in plain language and does not require a lawyer to use.

The State Bar of Michigan runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with attorneys in the Cadillac area who handle criminal defense. Northern Michigan has legal aid organizations that serve rural counties including Wexford. If you qualify based on income, these groups can provide free or reduced-cost help. Call the State Bar for referral information.

For expungement, Michigan's Clean Slate law passed in recent years made it easier to clear old criminal records. First-time offenders and people with older nonviolent convictions may qualify. A review of your record by a legal aid attorney or clinic will tell you whether you are eligible. The Michigan Legal Help site also has a step-by-step expungement guide that walks you through the process.

Note: Wexford County is a smaller rural county, so local legal services may have limited availability. Plan ahead and call offices before visiting to confirm hours and intake times.

Cities in Wexford County

Cadillac is the county seat and the main city in Wexford County. All criminal cases in Wexford County are filed with the county courts in Cadillac, regardless of where in the county the offense occurred.

No cities in Wexford County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Cadillac and other communities in the county use the same county-level courts and clerk's office described on this page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Wexford County. Each has its own clerk and courthouse. If a case was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk directly.