Find Criminal History in Leelanau County
Leelanau County criminal history records are kept by the county clerk's office and the 13th Circuit Court, which serves both Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties. This small county in northwest lower Michigan has a limited court volume compared to larger counties, but all the same search tools apply. You can look up Leelanau County criminal records through state databases, the clerk's office in Suttons Bay, or the MiCOURT portal. This page explains each method and what you can expect to find.
Leelanau County Quick Facts
Leelanau County Clerk and Court Records
The Leelanau County Clerk is Michelle L. Blodgett. The clerk's office is at 8527 E Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. The phone number is (231) 256-9824. The clerk serves as the Clerk of the 13th Circuit Court and handles all court record requests for Leelanau County, including criminal case files.
Leelanau County is part of the 13th Circuit Court along with Grand Traverse County. Felony cases from Leelanau County are heard in this circuit. The court handles arraignments, trials, and sentencing for felony charges. Because Leelanau County is small, the caseload is lighter than in larger counties. That can mean faster processing for record requests.
To get copies of criminal records from the Leelanau County clerk, visit the office in person or send a mail request. Bring or include the case number, defendant name, or other identifying details. Copy fees are typically $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk can provide charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and other case file materials from felony proceedings in the 13th Circuit Court.
Under MCL § 15.231, public records in Michigan are open to inspection. Court records from Leelanau County criminal cases are generally available to anyone who requests them. Some records may be sealed by court order, but standard criminal case files are public.
Search Leelanau County Criminal Records Online
The MiCOURT portal is the best free tool for searching Leelanau County criminal history online. MiCOURT covers the 13th Circuit Court and district courts in the area. You can search by name or case number. Results show charges, case status, hearing dates, and dispositions. No account is needed.
The statewide MiCOURT system is run by the Michigan courts. It pulls data from courts across the state. For Leelanau County, it covers both circuit court felonies and district court misdemeanors. The 86th District Court handles misdemeanor cases in Leelanau County. Check both the circuit and district court records on MiCOURT to get a full picture of someone's Leelanau County criminal history.
Here is the Michigan State Police criminal history page, which includes links to ICHAT and other search tools covering Leelanau County records.
The ICHAT database costs $10 per search. It checks the statewide criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police. ICHAT returns conviction records from all Michigan counties, including Leelanau. The search is name-based. You need the person's full legal name and date of birth. ICHAT is the tool most employers and landlords use for quick background checks.
Note: Leelanau County has a small population, so criminal case volume is lower than in metro counties, but all records are still searchable through MiCOURT and ICHAT.
State Criminal History Tools for Leelanau County
The OTIS offender tracking system shows people from Leelanau County who are in state prison or on parole. OTIS is free. You can search by name. The system shows the offender's current location, minimum and maximum sentence, and earliest release date. If someone from Leelanau County was sentenced to prison, OTIS will have their status.
Below is the OTIS search page, which tracks offenders from all Michigan counties including Leelanau County.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is another free tool. You can search by name, zip code, or county to find registered sex offenders in Leelanau County. The registry shows photos, addresses, and conviction information. It is maintained by the Michigan State Police and updated regularly.
For a fingerprint-based criminal history check, the Michigan State Police handles those under MCL § 28.241a. The cost is $30 by mail or $50 to $70 at a LiveScan location. Fingerprint checks are the most accurate type of background check. They tie results to one specific person, unlike name-based searches that can return false matches. The nearest LiveScan vendors to Leelanau County are in Traverse City.
Leelanau County Criminal Record Expungement
Michigan's Clean Slate law applies to Leelanau County criminal records. Under MCL § 780.621, certain convictions are automatically set aside after a waiting period. Some misdemeanors qualify after seven years. Some felonies qualify after ten years. The process is automatic for eligible offenses, meaning the person does not need to file a petition.
The Michigan State Police Clean Slate page below has details on which offenses qualify and how the automatic process works for Leelanau County and all other Michigan counties.
If a conviction does not qualify for automatic expungement, you can still petition the 13th Circuit Court. The petition process involves filing forms, paying a fee, and possibly attending a hearing. The prosecutor can object to the expungement. The judge will consider the nature of the crime, your record since the conviction, and other factors. Not all crimes can be expunged. Serious violent crimes and certain sex offenses are not eligible under Michigan law.
Juvenile records in Leelanau County are sealed under MCL § 712A.28. They do not appear in public search results on ICHAT, MiCOURT, or any other public tool.
Police Records in Leelanau County
Arrest reports and police incident records in Leelanau County are held by the agency that responded to the call. The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office handles most law enforcement in the county, along with small village police departments. To get a police report, you need to file a FOIA request under MCL § 15.234.
Put the request in writing. Include the date of the incident, location, and names of the people involved. The department has five business days to respond. Fees are usually $0.10 per page for copies. Some agencies may charge for search time if the request takes a long time to process. The MSP FOIA portal handles requests for state police records from posts near Leelanau County.