Gogebic County Criminal History Search
Gogebic County criminal history records are kept at the courthouse in Bessemer on the far western edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The 32nd Circuit Court and the 98-1 District Court handle criminal cases here. You can search records online through MiCOURT at no cost, or contact the county clerk for copies by mail or in person. Gogebic County is one of the least populated counties in Michigan, but it still processes criminal cases and maintains a full set of court records. This page walks through the ways to access criminal history records from Gogebic County.
Gogebic County Criminal History Overview
Gogebic County Clerk Records
Rose Collins is the Gogebic County Clerk. The office is at 200 N Moore, Bessemer, MI 49911. Phone is 906-663-4518. The clerk maintains records for the 32nd Circuit Court and is the main contact for criminal history requests in Gogebic County.
Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 plus $1 per additional page. Name searches cost $1 each. For mail requests, include the full name, any known case numbers, a description of the records you need, and payment to the Gogebic County Clerk. In-person visitors should bring photo ID. Processing times vary, but most simple requests take just a few business days. Older records from before the mid-1990s may be on paper and require more time to pull from archives. Gogebic County's smaller case volume means the clerk's office can often turn around requests faster than larger counties.
32nd Circuit Court Cases
The 32nd Circuit Court handles felony cases in Gogebic County. It also covers Ontonagon County. Felonies range from drug crimes and assault to burglary and more serious offenses. The court sits in Bessemer at the county courthouse.
Search Gogebic County criminal history from the 32nd Circuit Court through MiCOURT. This free tool lets you search by name, case number, or date. You get charges, hearing dates, case status, and the register of actions. Full filings and orders are not available online. For those, contact the clerk. Because the 32nd Circuit covers two counties, check the court location in your results to confirm you are looking at a Gogebic County case.
The ICHAT system from Michigan State Police also covers Gogebic County. ICHAT costs $10 per search plus a $2.50 card fee. It returns felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from across the state. Minor misdemeanors and traffic tickets are not included. Results come back quickly.
Note: Cases expunged under MCL 780.621 will not show in ICHAT or MiCOURT results.
Gogebic County District Court
The 98-1 District Court handles misdemeanors in Gogebic County. Call 906-663-4611 for records questions. Misdemeanor cases include offenses like simple assault, petty theft, trespassing, and drunk driving. The district court also does preliminary exams on felony charges before sending them to circuit court.
Search 98-1 District Court records on MiCOURT. Select the right court to narrow results. Misdemeanor convictions are part of a person's criminal history in Gogebic County. Even though the penalties are lighter, these records still show up on background checks and can affect someone's record for years. The Michigan State Police track this information statewide through their criminal history systems.
Below is a look at the MSP criminal history records page, which explains how the state handles criminal record checks that include Gogebic County cases.
The MSP Criminal History Records division oversees fingerprint and name-based checks. If you want a complete picture beyond just Gogebic County court records, this is where to start.
Criminal History Laws for Gogebic County
MCL 28.241a defines criminal history records in Michigan. It covers arrest data, convictions, and dispositions from law enforcement and courts. These records are public in Gogebic County and across the state.
Michigan's Clean Slate law affects Gogebic County criminal history. MCL 780.621 allows automatic set-aside of certain misdemeanors after seven years and felonies after ten. The state police manage it. Assaultive crimes, sex offenses, and crimes punishable by ten or more years are excluded. The Clean Slate page has details. Set-aside records are removed from public search tools.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Gogebic County by name, address, or zip code. It is free. The registry shows photos, addresses, offenses, and tier level.
Juvenile records in Gogebic County are sealed under MCL 712A.28. They do not appear in criminal history searches.
FOIA for Gogebic County Records
Some Gogebic County criminal history records are available through FOIA. MCL 15.231 covers police reports, incident logs, and law enforcement documents. Court records fall under Michigan Court Rule 8.119 instead. Write to the agency holding the records. Include your name, address, and what you need. Agencies have five business days to respond. Copies cost about $0.10 per page. Under MCL 15.234, fees up to $20 may be waived for indigent requestors.
The MSP FOIA portal handles state police requests. Local agencies in Gogebic County handle their own FOIA processes. The OTIS system tracks offenders in state prison or on parole. It is free and covers anyone from Gogebic County serving state time.
