Clinton County Criminal History Records

Clinton County criminal history records go through the county clerk and court system in St. Johns. Located just north of Lansing, Clinton County handles criminal cases through its circuit and district courts. You can search Clinton County criminal records online through MiCOURT for free or use ICHAT for a statewide check at $10. The clerk's office at 100 E State St processes walk-in and mail requests. This page covers all the options for finding criminal history records in Clinton County, including online searches, copy fees, FOIA, and expungement rules.

Clinton County Clerk Office

County Clerk Elizabeth Zuker manages the office at 100 E State St, Suite 2600, St. Johns, MI 48879. Call 989-224-5140 for records questions. The clerk stores criminal case files from the circuit court and processes copy requests. Staff can search by name or case number during business hours.

Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies run $10 plus $1 for each additional page. Mail requests should include the person's full name, any case numbers, and a check or money order payable to the Clinton County Clerk. Processing time varies based on the complexity of the request. Digital records are most complete from the mid-1990s onward. Older paper records can take extra time to locate in the archives.

Under MCL 28.241a, criminal history includes arrest data, conviction records, and case dispositions held by courts and law enforcement. The clerk can provide what the circuit court has on file.

Clinton County Court Criminal Cases

The circuit court handles felony criminal cases in Clinton County. Drug offenses, assault, burglary, and other serious crimes go through this court. The courthouse is in St. Johns. The 65A District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary felony proceedings. Call 989-224-5152 for district court records. Probate matters, including juvenile cases sealed under MCL 712A.28, go through 989-224-5194.

Search Clinton County court records through MiCOURT for free. This statewide tool covers circuit and district court records. Look up cases by name or case number. MiCOURT shows charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. It does not display sealed or expunged records, nor the full text of court orders. For complete documents, contact the clerk's office directly.

Clinton County is close to Lansing and Ingham County. Some people who live in the greater Lansing area may have records in either Clinton County or Ingham County, depending on where the offense occurred. Check both if you are not sure.

Search Clinton County Criminal History Online

The ICHAT system from Michigan State Police runs statewide criminal history checks for $10 per search. ICHAT covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all Michigan counties, including Clinton. Minor misdemeanors and traffic violations are excluded. Enter a name and date of birth to search. Results come back quickly.

The Michigan State Police ICHAT portal is the most common tool for running a formal criminal history check covering Clinton County records.

The OTIS system is free and tracks current inmates and parolees. If someone from Clinton County is in state prison, OTIS shows their status. The CLEMIS portal covers some police and crash reports, though its coverage varies by county.

Clinton County FOIA Requests

Police reports and law enforcement records from Clinton County are available through FOIA. Under MCL 15.231, you can request records from the Clinton County Sheriff, St. Johns Police, or local MSP posts. Include your name, address, and what records you need in your written request.

The agency has five business days to respond, with a possible ten-day extension. Copy fees are about $0.10 per page. Under MCL 15.234, the first $20 may be waived for indigent requestors. Court records are not covered by FOIA. Those go through the clerk under Michigan Court Rule 8.119. The MSP FOIA portal handles state police records.

Expungement and Clinton County Criminal Records

Michigan's Clean Slate law impacts Clinton County criminal history searches. Under MCL 780.621, certain misdemeanors are automatically expunged after seven years. Certain felonies clear after ten years. The Michigan State Police handle the automatic 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 crimes carrying ten or more years in prison. The Clean Slate page from MSP has full eligibility details. Clinton County residents can petition the circuit court in St. Johns for early expungement of eligible convictions.

Sex Offender Registry in Clinton County

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry covers registered offenders in Clinton County and the rest of the state. Search by name, address, or zip code. The registry is free. It shows photos, home addresses, offense details, and tier classification. Data comes from offender registration reports filed with local law enforcement.

Nearby Counties

Counties that border Clinton County in central Michigan.