Access Keweenaw County Criminal History
Keweenaw County criminal history records are maintained at the courthouse in Eagle River, at the very tip of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. This is the least populated county in the state, with fewer than 2,200 people. The 12th Circuit Court handles felony cases, shared with Houghton County, and the district court covers misdemeanors. Criminal cases here are rare compared to more populated areas, but the county still maintains records. You can search through MiCOURT online or contact the clerk's office directly. This page covers how to access Keweenaw County criminal history and what tools are available.
Keweenaw County Criminal History Overview
Keweenaw County Clerk Records
Julie L. Carlson is the Keweenaw County Clerk. The office is at 5095 4th St, Eagle River, MI 49950. Call 906-337-2229 for criminal history records questions. The clerk maintains files for circuit court cases in Keweenaw County. Given the county's tiny population, the clerk's office handles a very small number of criminal cases compared to other Michigan counties.
Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 plus $1 for each additional page. Name searches run $1 per name. Mail requests should include the person's full name, any case numbers, what you need, and payment to the Keweenaw County Clerk. Because the caseload is so small, requests are typically processed quickly. The clerk's office may have limited hours compared to larger counties, so calling ahead before visiting is a good idea.
The 12th Circuit Court, which handles felony cases for Keweenaw County, is shared with Houghton County. Most of the circuit court's caseload comes from Houghton County due to its larger population. But Keweenaw County cases go through the same court system and are searchable through the same tools.
12th Circuit Court Cases
The 12th Circuit Court handles all felony cases in Keweenaw County. It is shared with Houghton County. Because Keweenaw County has so few residents, felony cases are rare here. When they do occur, they go through the same circuit court as Houghton County felonies.
Search Keweenaw County criminal history from the 12th Circuit Court through MiCOURT. This free statewide tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or date range. Results include charges, hearing dates, case status, and the register of actions. Check the court location in results to confirm you are looking at a Keweenaw County case rather than one from Houghton County.
The ICHAT system from Michigan State Police also includes Keweenaw County. ICHAT costs $10 per search plus $2.50 card fee. It covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors statewide. Minor offenses and traffic tickets are not included. For a county this small, ICHAT may return no results for many searches simply because there are so few cases.
Note: Records expunged under MCL 780.621 will not show up in any public search tool.
Keweenaw County District Court
The district court serves Keweenaw County for misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and felony preliminary exams. Misdemeanor cases form part of criminal history even when the charges are minor. In a county this small, district court cases are relatively uncommon. But they still go on the record and are searchable.
Search district court records on MiCOURT by selecting the Keweenaw County district court. Results include charges, case type, hearing dates, and disposition. For copies, contact the court directly.
The Michigan State Police track criminal history statewide, including the few cases that come out of Keweenaw County. Below is a look at their criminal history page.
The MSP Criminal History Records division oversees ICHAT and fingerprint-based checks. Even for a county as small as Keweenaw, the same statewide systems apply. If someone committed a crime here, it shows up in the state database just like a case from Detroit or Grand Rapids would.
Criminal Records Laws for Keweenaw County
MCL 28.241a defines criminal history records as arrest data, convictions, and dispositions held by courts and law enforcement. These records are public in Keweenaw County just as they are everywhere in Michigan. No reason is needed to request them.
Michigan's Clean Slate law applies in Keweenaw County. MCL 780.621 allows automatic set-aside of certain misdemeanors after seven years and felonies after ten. The state police handle it. Violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses punishable by ten or more years in prison do not qualify. The Clean Slate page has details on which crimes are eligible. Set-aside records are removed from public databases.
Juvenile records are sealed under MCL 712A.28. They are not part of the public record and will not show up in Keweenaw County criminal history searches.
FOIA and Keweenaw County Records
Some Keweenaw County criminal history records can be obtained through FOIA. MCL 15.231 covers police reports, incident logs, and law enforcement documents. Court records go through the clerk under Michigan Court Rule 8.119.
Send a written request to the agency holding the records. Include your name, address, and what you want. Agencies have five business days to respond. Copies cost about $0.10 per page. Under MCL 15.234, fees up to $20 can be waived for those who qualify as indigent. The MSP FOIA portal handles state police requests. The Keweenaw County Sheriff handles local FOIA requests.
The OTIS system tracks state prison inmates and parolees. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry covers registered offenders in Keweenaw County and statewide. Both tools are free.