Branch County Criminal History

Branch County criminal history records are managed by the county clerk and the court system in Coldwater. The county sits along the Michigan-Indiana border and handles criminal cases through its circuit and district courts. You can search Branch County records through MiCOURT online for free or use ICHAT for a $10 statewide search. In-person requests go to the clerk's office at 31 Division St. This page covers every method to look up criminal history in Branch County, from online tools and mail requests to FOIA and expungement information.

Branch County Clerk Office

County Clerk Teresa Kubasiak manages the office at 31 Division St, Coldwater, MI 49036. Call 517-279-4306 for records questions. The clerk's office stores case files from the circuit court and handles requests for criminal history records. You can visit in person or submit requests by mail.

Copy fees follow standard Michigan rates. Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 plus $1 for each additional page. Mail requests need the person's full name, any known case numbers, and a check or money order to the Branch County Clerk. The clerk can search by name or case number. Under MCL 28.241a, criminal history records include arrest data, conviction information, and case dispositions. The clerk pulls this from the circuit court files.

Branch County Court Records

The circuit court handles felony cases in Branch County. Drug crimes, assault, theft, and other serious offenses go through this court. The 3A District Court processes misdemeanors, traffic cases, and the early stages of felony cases. Call 517-279-4328 for district court records.

You can search Branch County court records online for free through MiCOURT. This statewide tool covers both circuit and district court records. Search by name or case number to find charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. MiCOURT does not show sealed or expunged records. It also does not display the full text of court orders or filings. Contact the clerk for complete documents.

MiCOURT is especially useful in Branch County because it covers both courts in one search. You do not need to search the circuit and district courts separately.

Online Criminal History Checks for Branch County

The ICHAT system checks criminal history across all Michigan counties for $10 per search. Run by Michigan State Police, ICHAT covers felonies and serious misdemeanors. It does not include minor misdemeanors or traffic violations. You need a name and date of birth.

The OTIS offender tracking system is free and shows people in state prison or on parole. Search by name to find someone sentenced from Branch County. OTIS shows offense details, sentence length, and current facility. The MSP Criminal History page explains the different types of background checks available through the state police.

The Michigan State Police criminal history page outlines the various types of background checks and how to request them.

The Sex Offender Registry is free and lets you search for registered offenders in Branch County by name, address, or zip code. It shows photos, addresses, offense details, and tier level.

Branch County FOIA Requests

Police reports and law enforcement records from Branch County agencies are available through FOIA. MCL 15.231 gives the public the right to request these records. Send your FOIA request to the Branch County Sheriff, Coldwater Police, or local MSP post. Include your name, address, and what records you need.

Agencies have five business days to respond. Copy fees are about $0.10 per page. MCL 15.234 allows fee waivers on the first $20 for qualifying indigent requestors. FOIA does not cover court records. Those go through the clerk under Michigan Court Rule 8.119. The MSP FOIA portal handles state police records.

Clean Slate in Branch County

Michigan's Clean Slate law has changed how Branch County criminal history records work. Under MCL 780.621, certain misdemeanors are automatically expunged after seven years. Certain felonies clear after ten. The state police handle the process. Once expunged, records no longer appear in ICHAT, MiCOURT, or clerk searches.

Not all crimes qualify. MCL 780.621g excludes assaultive crimes, sex offenses, and crimes punishable by ten or more years. Visit the Clean Slate page for full eligibility details. Branch County residents can also petition the circuit court for early expungement of qualifying records.

Nearby Counties

Counties that border Branch County in southern Michigan.