Access Southfield Criminal History

Southfield criminal history records can be found through the Southfield Police Department, the 46th District Court, and Oakland County courts. The city has about 75,000 residents and sits in Oakland County, one of the most populated counties in Michigan. Police records come from the Southfield PD, while court case files go through the district and circuit court systems. You can also search statewide databases like ICHAT and MiCOURT to find criminal cases tied to Southfield. Below is a full breakdown of how to search for and get these records.

Southfield Police Department Records

The Southfield Police Department is at 26000 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI 48076. The department handles police reports, arrest records, and other criminal history documents for the city. To get copies of these records, you submit a FOIA request under MCL § 15.231. The department has five business days to respond.

You can submit FOIA requests in person, by mail, or by email. Include as much detail as you can. Names, dates, and incident report numbers make it easier for staff to find what you need. The department can charge for search time, copy fees, and mailing costs. If the total estimate goes over $50, they may ask for a 50% deposit before starting the work. Walk-in requests are taken during regular business hours at the police station. Bring a valid ID, especially if you are asking for your own records.

Southfield PD is part of the CLEMIS network. Accident reports from Southfield can be requested through the CLEMIS payment portal. This online system lets you search for crash reports by date and location. You pay online and can download the report in most cases. It is often the fastest way to get an accident report from Southfield without going to the police station.

46th District Court Criminal Cases

The 46th District Court serves Southfield. It shares an address with the police department at 26000 Evergreen Rd. Call (248) 796-5800 for case inquiries. This court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. Felony cases that pass the preliminary exam move to the Oakland County Circuit Court for trial.

You can search for Southfield criminal cases through MiCOURT. This free tool covers district and circuit courts across Michigan. Enter a name and select the 46th District Court to narrow results to Southfield. Case details include the charges, hearing dates, and disposition. MiCOURT does not need an account and is updated regularly.

For more detailed searches, Oakland County runs the Court Explorer system. This portal covers all Oakland County courts. You need to create a free account to use it. Court Explorer can show additional details beyond what MiCOURT provides, including party names and hearing schedules. Both tools are useful for checking Southfield criminal history records from the court side.

The Oakland County Court Explorer login page is shown below. This portal provides access to Southfield criminal history records filed in Oakland County courts.

Oakland County Criminal Records

Felony cases from Southfield go to the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac. The county clerk maintains circuit court records. You can request copies in person at the clerk's office or search online through Court Explorer. The clerk handles a large volume of records from across the county, so processing times for mail requests can vary.

Copy fees apply for all records from the county clerk. Standard copies are less expensive than certified copies. If you need a record for legal purposes, get a certified copy with an official stamp. The clerk's office can tell you the exact fees when you make your request. For a name search, the clerk can check their system to see if someone has criminal cases in Oakland County courts.

State Criminal History Databases

Michigan operates several statewide tools for criminal history searches. ICHAT from the Michigan State Police costs $10 per name search. It covers the entire state criminal history database under MCL § 28.241a. If someone has criminal records in Southfield and also in another Michigan city, ICHAT will show both.

Free tools include MiCOURT for court cases, OTIS for current inmates and parolees, and the Sex Offender Registry. Each tool covers a different aspect of the criminal justice system. ICHAT gives the broadest view for a single search. MiCOURT shows detailed court case information. OTIS is specific to people under state corrections supervision. Using all three gives you the most complete picture of criminal history from public sources.

The Michigan State Police also run a FOIA portal for state-level records. If a state police investigation involved Southfield, you can request those records through the MSP FOIA page. This is separate from a Southfield PD FOIA request and follows the same MCL § 15.231 timeline.

Southfield Record Expungement

People with criminal records from Southfield may be able to get them expunged. MCL § 780.621 sets the rules for Michigan's Clean Slate law. Certain misdemeanors are eligible after three years. Most felonies require a five-year waiting period. Some offenses are automatically cleared by the state without needing a petition.

To petition for expungement, file with the court that heard your case. Misdemeanors from Southfield go through the 46th District Court. Felonies go through the Oakland County Circuit Court. There is a filing fee and the court may schedule a hearing. If the petition is granted, the record is sealed from public view. It will no longer appear in ICHAT, MiCOURT, or Court Explorer results. Legal aid organizations in Oakland County can help with the process if you qualify for their services.

Note: Life felonies and certain violent offenses are not eligible for expungement under Michigan law.

Juvenile Criminal Records

Juvenile records in Michigan are confidential under MCL § 712A.28. The Oakland County Family Court handles juvenile cases from Southfield. These records do not show up on ICHAT, MiCOURT, or any public search. Only the named individual, parents, and attorneys of record can access them. Contact the Oakland County Family Court if you need a juvenile record.

Oakland County Criminal History

Southfield is in Oakland County. All felony trials and circuit court records are handled at the county level. For the full breakdown of Oakland County criminal history resources, including the clerk's office and circuit court, visit the county page.

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