Huron County Criminal History Records
Huron County criminal history records are kept at the courthouse in Bad Axe, on the tip of Michigan's Thumb region. The 52nd Circuit Court handles felony cases while the district court covers misdemeanors. Huron County is a rural area with a smaller caseload than metro counties, but it maintains a full set of criminal records going back decades. You can search records online through MiCOURT or contact the county clerk's office on Huron Ave for copies and in-person help. This page covers the tools, fees, and legal rules for accessing Huron County criminal history.
Huron County Criminal History Overview
Huron County Clerk Records
Lori M. Mills serves as the Huron County Clerk. Her office is at 250 E Huron Ave, Bad Axe, MI 48413. Call 989-269-9941 for questions about criminal history records. The clerk's office maintains records for the 52nd Circuit Court and processes all record requests for circuit-level cases.
Standard copies of Huron County criminal history records cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 plus $1 for each extra page. Staff-assisted name searches are $1 per name. Mail requests should include the full name, date of birth if known, any case numbers, what you need, and payment by check or money order to the Huron County Clerk. Most straightforward requests process within a few business days. Older cases from before digital records began in the mid-1990s may need to be pulled from paper archives, which adds time. Huron County's smaller size means the clerk's office is less backlogged than larger counties, so turnaround is generally quick.
For in-person visits, bring valid photo ID. Public terminals let you search for free. Staff help costs the $1 per name fee.
52nd Circuit Court Criminal Cases
The 52nd Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases in Huron County. Felonies include drug offenses, assault, burglary, weapons charges, and other serious crimes. The court sits at the Huron County Building in Bad Axe.
Search Huron County criminal history from the 52nd Circuit Court through MiCOURT. This free tool from the Michigan courts allows searches by name, case number, or date range. Results show charges, hearing dates, case status, and the register of actions. MiCOURT does not display full filings or orders. For those documents, you must contact the clerk. MiCOURT is the best free option for checking felony cases in Huron County.
Huron County sits at the top of the Thumb, with Tuscola and Sanilac counties as its nearest neighbors. If you are doing a thorough search, checking all three counties through MiCOURT makes sense since a person could have cases in any of them. The ICHAT system from Michigan State Police does this automatically by searching statewide. ICHAT costs $10 per search plus a $2.50 card fee and covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors.
Note: Records set aside under MCL 780.621 are removed from ICHAT and MiCOURT search results.
Huron County District Court
The district court in Huron County handles misdemeanor cases, ordinance violations, and preliminary exams on felony charges. Misdemeanors are part of a person's criminal history. Common charges at this level include drunk driving, minor theft, simple assault, and disorderly conduct.
District court records are searchable through MiCOURT. Select the Huron County district court when you search. Results show case type, charges, hearing dates, and disposition. For copies from the district court, contact them directly. Fees generally match the circuit court schedule.
The Michigan State Police maintain several tools that cover Huron County criminal history. The MSP criminal history page below explains the full scope of their record-keeping.
The MSP Criminal History Records division handles both fingerprint-based and name-based checks. This page is a useful starting point if you want to understand what a statewide check includes beyond just Huron County court records.
Criminal Records Laws in Huron County
MCL 28.241a defines criminal history records in Michigan. It covers arrest data, convictions, and dispositions from courts and law enforcement. These are public records in Huron County.
The Clean Slate law has changed what appears in Huron County criminal history searches. MCL 780.621 allows automatic set-aside of certain misdemeanors after seven years and certain felonies after ten years. The Michigan State Police handle the automatic review. Not all crimes qualify. Violent offenses, sex crimes, and offenses carrying ten or more years in prison are excluded. The Clean Slate information page breaks down which offenses are eligible. Once set aside, records are pulled from all public databases.
Juvenile records are sealed under MCL 712A.28. They do not appear in Huron County criminal history searches. Access is limited to the person named, law enforcement, and certain court officials.
Huron County FOIA Requests
Some Huron County criminal history records can be obtained through FOIA. Under MCL 15.231, you can request police reports, arrest logs, and incident records from law enforcement agencies. Court records are not covered by FOIA. They go through the court clerk under Michigan Court Rule 8.119.
Submit your request to the agency holding the records. Include your name, address, and a clear description of what you want. Agencies have five business days to respond. Copy fees are about $0.10 per page. Under MCL 15.234, the first $20 in fees may be waived for indigent requestors. The MSP FOIA portal handles state police requests. The Huron County Sheriff and local police departments handle their own FOIA requests.
The OTIS system tracks state prison inmates and parolees from Huron County. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry covers registered offenders in the area. Both tools are free to use.