Grand Traverse County Criminal History
Grand Traverse County criminal history records are managed at the courthouse in Traverse City. The 13th Circuit Court handles felony cases while the 86th District Court takes misdemeanors and preliminary exams. This is the largest county in the northwest Lower Peninsula, and its courts see a steady flow of criminal cases. You can search Grand Traverse County criminal records online through MiCOURT for free or visit the clerk's office on Boardman Ave for in-person help. This page covers how to access these records, the fees involved, and which tools are best for different types of searches.
Grand Traverse County Criminal History Overview
Grand Traverse County Clerk Records
Bonnie Scheele is the Grand Traverse County Clerk. Her office is at 400 Boardman Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684. The phone number is 231-922-4760. The clerk's office keeps records for the 13th Circuit Court and handles all record requests at the circuit level. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours.
Standard copies of Grand Traverse County criminal history records cost $1 per page. Certified copies run $10 plus $1 for each page after the first. Staff will do a name search for $1 per name. Mail requests should include the full name, date of birth if known, any case numbers, what records you need, and payment by check or money order to the Grand Traverse County Clerk. Processing takes a few business days for most requests. Older records may be on paper and take longer to retrieve. Digital records generally go back to the mid-1990s in Grand Traverse County.
The 13th Circuit Court is shared with Antrim and Leelanau counties. You can reach the circuit court directly at 231-922-4701. Because the circuit covers three counties, criminal cases from any of them may come through the same court system. When searching records, pay attention to the filing county listed in the case details to make sure you are looking at Grand Traverse County cases specifically.
13th Circuit Court Criminal Cases
The 13th Circuit Court handles all felony cases in Grand Traverse County. Serious crimes like drug trafficking, assault, robbery, and weapons charges go through this court. The court sits at the Grand Traverse County Governmental Center in Traverse City.
Search Grand Traverse County criminal history from the 13th Circuit Court through MiCOURT. This free statewide tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or date range. Results show charges, hearing dates, the register of actions, and case status. MiCOURT does not display full documents. For motions, orders, or sentencing details, you need to contact the clerk's office directly. MiCOURT is the best free starting point for checking felony cases in Grand Traverse County.
Grand Traverse County is a popular tourist area, and seasonal population swings sometimes affect the types and volume of criminal cases. The court handles everything from local drug cases to offenses involving visitors. All of these cases are part of the public record and searchable through the same tools.
Note: Expunged records under MCL 780.621 are removed from MiCOURT and will not appear in public searches.
86th District Court Records
The 86th District Court handles misdemeanor cases in Grand Traverse County. Call 231-922-4710 for records questions. Misdemeanors include drunk driving, minor assault, petty theft, and disorderly conduct. The district court also conducts preliminary exams on felony charges before they move up to circuit court.
You can search 86th District Court records through MiCOURT. Just select the right court when you run your search. Results include charges, case type, hearing dates, and disposition. Misdemeanor convictions are part of a person's criminal history in Grand Traverse County. They show up on background checks and remain on the record unless set aside under Michigan law.
The ICHAT system from Michigan State Police catches Grand Traverse County criminal history in its statewide checks. ICHAT costs $10 per search plus a $2.50 card fee. It picks up felony convictions and serious misdemeanors but skips minor misdemeanors and traffic tickets. Results come back fast, usually within minutes.
The MSP Criminal History Records page explains how statewide checks work and what is included. It is a useful reference for anyone doing a thorough search of Grand Traverse County criminal records.
Criminal Records Laws in Grand Traverse County
MCL 28.241a defines criminal history records in Michigan. The definition covers arrest data, convictions, and dispositions from courts and law enforcement. These are public records. You do not need to give a reason to request them from Grand Traverse County.
The Clean Slate law changes what shows up in Grand Traverse County criminal history searches. MCL 780.621 provides for automatic set-aside of certain misdemeanors after seven years and certain felonies after ten years. The Michigan State Police handle the automatic process. Not every offense qualifies. Violent crimes, sex offenses, and crimes punishable by ten or more years are excluded. The Clean Slate information page has the full list. Records that are set aside no longer show up in ICHAT, MiCOURT, or clerk searches.
Juvenile records are sealed under MCL 712A.28. They will not appear in any Grand Traverse County criminal history search. Only the person named, law enforcement, and certain court officials have access to juvenile files.
Grand Traverse County FOIA Requests
The Freedom of Information Act covers some Grand Traverse County criminal history records. Under MCL 15.231, you can request police reports, arrest logs, and incident records from law enforcement agencies. FOIA does not cover court records. Those fall under Michigan Court Rule 8.119 and go through the court clerk.
Send your request to the agency that holds the records you want. Include your name, address, and a clear description of the documents. Agencies have five business days to respond, with a possible ten-day extension. Copy fees run about $0.10 per page. Under MCL 15.234, the first $20 in fees may be waived if you are indigent. The MSP FOIA portal takes requests aimed at the state police. Local agencies like the Traverse City Police and the Grand Traverse County Sheriff handle their own FOIA processes.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is free and covers registered offenders in Grand Traverse County. Search by name, address, or zip code. The OTIS system tracks offenders in state prison or on parole from Grand Traverse County.