Cass County Criminal History Records
Cass County criminal history records are filed through the 43rd Circuit Court and the 4th District Court in Cassopolis. The county clerk's office maintains court records and processes copy requests from the public. You can search Cass County criminal cases online through MiCOURT for free or use the statewide ICHAT system for $10. The clerk at 120 N Broadway handles walk-in and mail requests. This page details how to search for criminal history records in Cass County, what fees to expect, and how state laws like the Clean Slate act affect your search.
Cass County Overview
Cass County Clerk Criminal Records
County Clerk Monica McMichael manages the office at 120 N Broadway, Suite 123, Cassopolis, MI 49031. Call 269-445-4464 for records requests. The clerk stores case files from the 43rd Circuit Court. Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours.
Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page and $1 for each page after. For mail requests, include the full name of the person, case number if you have it, and a check or money order payable to the Cass County Clerk. Under MCL 28.241a, criminal history includes arrest data, conviction records, and case dispositions from courts and law enforcement agencies. The Cass County Clerk can pull whatever the circuit court has on file for the person you are searching.
43rd Circuit Court Cases
The 43rd Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases in Cass County. Call 269-445-4412 for court records. All serious criminal matters pass through this court, from drug offenses to violent crimes. The court sits in the Cass County courthouse in Cassopolis.
Search 43rd Circuit Court records online through MiCOURT at no cost. The system lets you look up cases by name or case number. It shows charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. Sealed and expunged records do not appear. Under MCL 780.621, certain convictions are automatically removed from public databases after set time periods.
The 4th District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary felony hearings. Call 269-445-4424. The probate court is at 269-445-4452 and deals with juvenile matters. Juvenile records are sealed under MCL 712A.28. District court records are also searchable through MiCOURT.
Online Tools for Cass County Criminal History
The ICHAT system from Michigan State Police runs statewide criminal history checks. The fee is $10. ICHAT covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all counties including Cass. Minor misdemeanors and traffic violations do not appear. Enter a name and date of birth to search.
The Michigan State Police maintain the ICHAT portal as the standard tool for formal criminal history checks in Michigan.
The OTIS system tracks inmates and parolees for free. If someone sentenced in Cass County went to state prison, OTIS shows their current status. The Sex Offender Registry covers all registered offenders in Cass County by name or address. Both tools are free and open to anyone.
Note: ICHAT does not show records that have been expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate law.
FOIA Records in Cass County
Law enforcement records from Cass County can be obtained through FOIA. Under MCL 15.231, you can request police reports, arrest records, and incident logs from the sheriff's office and local police. FOIA does not apply to court records. Those are requested through the clerk under Michigan Court Rule 8.119.
Submit a written request to the agency holding the records. Include your name, address, and a clear description of what you need. Agencies have five business days to respond. Copies are about $0.10 per page. MCL 15.234 allows fee waivers for the first $20 for indigent requestors. For state police records, use the MSP FOIA portal.
Cass County Expungement Process
Michigan's Clean Slate law affects criminal history records in Cass County. Under MCL 780.621, certain misdemeanors are automatically expunged after seven years and certain felonies after ten. The Michigan State Police manage the automatic expungement process. Records that qualify are removed from ICHAT, MiCOURT, and clerk databases.
Not all offenses qualify for automatic expungement. MCL 780.621g excludes assaultive crimes, sex offenses, and offenses with sentences of ten or more years. The Clean Slate page explains what qualifies. Cass County residents can petition the 43rd Circuit Court for early expungement of eligible convictions.
Nearby Counties
Counties that border Cass County in southwest Michigan.