Chippewa County Criminal History Search

Chippewa County criminal history records are managed by the county clerk in Sault Ste. Marie. This Upper Peninsula county sits at the Canadian border and processes criminal cases through its circuit and district courts. You can search Chippewa County records online through MiCOURT at no charge or use ICHAT for a statewide check at $10. The clerk's office at 319 Court St handles in-person and mail requests. This page covers all the ways to access criminal history information in Chippewa County, from court records to FOIA requests and expungement.

Chippewa County Clerk Records

County Clerk Courtney Maleport runs the office at 319 Court St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Call 906-635-6300 for records questions. The clerk stores case files from the circuit court and handles requests for criminal history records. You can visit during business hours or send requests by mail.

Copy fees follow standard Michigan rates. Standard copies are $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10 plus $1 for each additional page. Mail requests need the person's full name, any case numbers you have, and a check or money order to the Chippewa County Clerk. Under MCL 28.241a, criminal history records cover arrest data, convictions, and case dispositions from courts and law enforcement. The clerk can pull all of that from the circuit court files.

Chippewa County is one of the larger counties in the Upper Peninsula by area. Criminal cases from across the county funnel through the court system in Sault Ste. Marie. The clerk's office is the single point for circuit court records.

Chippewa County Court System

The circuit court handles felony cases in Chippewa County. Serious crimes go through this court, including drug offenses, assault, and theft. The district court processes misdemeanors, traffic cases, and the initial stages of felony cases like arraignments and preliminary exams.

Search Chippewa County court records through MiCOURT for free. This statewide tool from the Michigan courts covers both circuit and district court records. Look up cases by name or case number. MiCOURT shows charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. It does not show sealed or expunged records, nor does it display the full text of court orders. Contact the clerk for complete case documents.

Because Chippewa County borders Canada, some criminal cases may involve cross-border issues. Those cases still go through the same court system. Federal cases are handled separately through the federal court in the Western District of Michigan.

Statewide Criminal History Checks

The ICHAT system from Michigan State Police checks criminal records across all 83 Michigan counties. It costs $10 per search. ICHAT shows felonies and serious misdemeanors, including Chippewa County cases. It skips minor misdemeanors, traffic violations, and juvenile records. You need a name and date of birth to run a search.

The OTIS system tracks people in state prison or on parole. It is free. Search by name to find someone sentenced from Chippewa County. OTIS shows offense type, sentence details, and current facility. The Michigan State Police also maintain the Sex Offender Registry, which covers registered offenders in Chippewa County by name, address, or zip code.

The Michigan Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Chippewa County and across the state.

Chippewa County FOIA Records

Police reports and law enforcement records from Chippewa County can be requested through FOIA. Under MCL 15.231, you can request records from the Chippewa County Sheriff, Sault Ste. Marie Police, or local MSP posts. FOIA does not cover court records. Those go through the clerk under Michigan Court Rule 8.119.

Write to the agency with your name, address, and a clear description of the records you need. The agency has five business days to respond. Copy fees are about $0.10 per page. MCL 15.234 allows fee waivers on the first $20 for indigent requestors. The MSP FOIA portal handles state police records.

Expungement for Chippewa County Records

Michigan's Clean Slate law applies to Chippewa County criminal history records. Under MCL 780.621, certain misdemeanors are automatically expunged after seven years and certain felonies after ten. The state police handle the automatic process. Records that qualify are removed from ICHAT, MiCOURT, and clerk databases. Not all crimes qualify. MCL 780.621g excludes assaultive crimes, sex offenses, and crimes with sentences of ten or more years.

The Clean Slate page from MSP has full eligibility details. Chippewa County residents can also petition the circuit court in Sault Ste. Marie for early expungement of qualifying records before the automatic timeline applies.

Nearby Counties

Counties near Chippewa County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.