Kalamazoo Criminal History Records

Kalamazoo criminal history records are handled by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, the county courts, and state agencies. The city has about 75,000 residents and serves as the county seat of Kalamazoo County. Police records go through KDPS, while court case files are maintained by the 8th District Court and the Kalamazoo County Circuit Court. You can also search statewide tools like ICHAT and MiCOURT for criminal cases from Kalamazoo. This page covers each source for finding criminal history records in the city.

KDPS Records Requests

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety handles police records for the city. KDPS is the combined police and fire department for Kalamazoo. You can request records through their records request page. The records office is at 150 E Crosstown Pkwy, Suite A. Call (269) 337-8106 or fax requests to (269) 337-8141.

Police reports are charged by the page. The exact cost depends on the length of the report and any attachments. KDPS does not list a flat fee for reports on their website. You will get a cost estimate when you submit your request. Under MCL § 15.231, the department must respond to FOIA requests within five business days. If the request is large or involves redaction, they may need more time.

Accident reports from Kalamazoo are handled differently. KDPS directs people to LexisNexis for crash reports. This is an online service that many Michigan police agencies use to distribute accident reports. You search by date and location and pay a fee to download the report. It is usually faster than going through the FOIA process for the same document.

The KDPS records request portal is shown below. This page provides details on how to submit a request for Kalamazoo criminal history records and police reports.

8th District Court Criminal Cases

The 8th District Court serves Kalamazoo. It is at 227 W Michigan Ave. The phone number is (269) 383-8831. This court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil infractions, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. If a felony is bound over for trial, it moves to the Kalamazoo County Circuit Court in the same building.

To search for Kalamazoo criminal cases online, use the MiCOURT case search. You can filter by the 8th District Court or the Kalamazoo County Circuit Court. Enter a name or case number to see charges, hearing dates, and final outcomes. MiCOURT is free and does not require an account. It is the fastest way to check for criminal history records from Kalamazoo courts without leaving your home.

Kalamazoo Circuit Court Records

The Kalamazoo County Circuit Court is at 227 W Michigan Ave, same location as the district court. Call (269) 383-8840 for circuit court information. This court handles all felony trials from Kalamazoo and the rest of the county. The county clerk maintains the official court records and can provide copies.

Felony criminal cases from Kalamazoo that go to trial are heard in this court. The circuit court also handles appeals from the district court and serious traffic offenses. Records are available in person at the clerk's office. You can also search online through MiCOURT. Copy fees apply for paper documents. Certified copies cost more than standard ones but are needed for some legal purposes. The clerk's office can tell you the exact fees when you make your request.

ICHAT is recommended by several Kalamazoo County offices as the best way to run a background check. The Michigan State Police database covers criminal history from across the state. At $10 per search, it is often more efficient than requesting records from multiple agencies one at a time. ICHAT results include convictions, pending cases, and some arrest data from all Michigan courts.

Statewide Criminal History Tools

Michigan provides several databases that cover Kalamazoo criminal history records. ICHAT costs $10 and searches the entire state criminal history system under MCL § 28.241a. MiCOURT is free for court case lookups. OTIS tracks current inmates and parolees from the Michigan Department of Corrections. The Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Kalamazoo by name or location.

Each tool serves a different purpose. ICHAT gives the broadest view of criminal history. MiCOURT shows court case details. OTIS tells you if someone is currently in state prison or on supervised release. The Sex Offender Registry is specific to that one category. If you are doing a thorough search for Kalamazoo criminal history, using more than one tool is a good idea. No single database has everything, but together they cover most public criminal records.

Expungement in Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo residents with criminal records may be eligible for expungement under MCL § 780.621. Michigan's Clean Slate law expanded who can get records set aside. Certain misdemeanors qualify after three years. Most felonies need five years. Some offenses are automatically expunged by the state without requiring a petition.

If you want to petition for expungement of a Kalamazoo criminal record, file with the court where the case was heard. Misdemeanors go through the 8th District Court. Felonies go through the Kalamazoo County Circuit Court. There is a filing fee. The court may hold a hearing to decide whether to grant the petition. Factors include time since the conviction, your behavior since then, and the nature of the offense. If approved, the record is sealed from public view. Legal aid groups in Kalamazoo County can help with the petition if you qualify for free legal services.

Note: Some serious offenses, including life felonies and certain violent crimes, are not eligible for expungement.

Juvenile Records in Kalamazoo

Juvenile criminal records are not public in Michigan. Under MCL § 712A.28, these records are confidential. The Kalamazoo County Family Court handles juvenile cases. You cannot search for them through ICHAT, MiCOURT, or any public database. Access is limited to the person named in the record, their parents or guardians, and attorneys involved in the case.

To get a juvenile record, contact the Kalamazoo County Family Court directly. Bring valid ID and proof of your right to access the file. Sealed juvenile records stay sealed unless a court orders them opened for a specific legal purpose.

Kalamazoo County Criminal History

Kalamazoo is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. All felony cases and county-level records are managed by the county court system and clerk's office. For a complete guide to Kalamazoo County criminal history resources, see the county page.

Nearby Cities