Access Mackinac County Criminal History
Mackinac County criminal history records are held by the county clerk in St. Ignace and are searchable through several state databases. The county sits at the top of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and the eastern edge of the Upper Peninsula, spanning both sides of the Straits of Mackinac. Criminal cases from the county go through the 11th Circuit Court. This guide covers how to search Mackinac County criminal records online and in person.
Mackinac County Quick Facts
Mackinac County Clerk and Court Records
Laura M. Caron is the Mackinac County Clerk. The office is at 100 S Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781. Call (906) 643-7300 for questions about criminal records or to check on case availability. The clerk handles record requests for the 11th Circuit Court, which covers Mackinac, Chippewa, Luce, Alger, and Schoolcraft counties.
Criminal case files from the clerk include charging documents, plea records, sentencing orders, and other court papers. You can request copies in person or by mail. Bring the case number or defendant's name and date of birth. Copies are about $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an extra fee. For mail requests, include a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Mackinac County is a tourist area. The population swells in the summer months, and that can affect court schedules and processing times. During peak season, the clerk's office may be busier than usual. Plan accordingly if you need records during summer months.
Court records in Michigan are generally public under MCL § 15.231 and Court Rule 8.119. Standard criminal case files from Mackinac County are open to the public. Sealed records require a court order to access.
Mackinac County Criminal History Online Search
MiCOURT is the best free tool for looking up Mackinac County criminal records online. The system covers the 11th Circuit Court and local district courts. Search by name or case number. You get charges, hearing dates, case status, and disposition details. No account is needed.
Because Mackinac County is small, searches on MiCOURT tend to return fewer results. That makes it easier to find a specific case. The system covers both felony and misdemeanor cases from courts in the county. MiCOURT is updated regularly by the Michigan courts system.
The Michigan State Police criminal history page below has links to ICHAT and other search tools that cover Mackinac County.
ICHAT costs $10 per search. It checks the statewide criminal history database. ICHAT covers all Michigan counties including Mackinac. It is name-based and returns felony and serious misdemeanor conviction records. You need the person's full name and date of birth for an ICHAT search. Results are immediate.
Note: Seasonal visitors to Mackinac County who commit crimes may have their records filed here even if they live elsewhere in Michigan.
State Resources for Mackinac County Records
The OTIS system tracks Michigan prisoners and parolees. If someone from Mackinac County is in a state prison, OTIS will show their current facility, sentence, and earliest release date. The tool is free and open to the public. Run by the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Below is the OTIS offender search page, which includes Mackinac County offenders serving time in state facilities.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry lets you look up registered sex offenders in Mackinac County. Search by name, zip code, or address. The registry is free. It shows photos, addresses, and conviction details for registered offenders. The Michigan State Police maintain this database.
For fingerprint-based background checks, the process runs through the Michigan State Police per MCL § 28.241a. It costs $30 by mail or $50 to $70 at a LiveScan location. Fingerprint checks are the most accurate type of criminal history search. The nearest LiveScan vendors to Mackinac County are in Sault Ste. Marie and Petoskey.
Mackinac County Expungement and Clean Slate
Michigan's Clean Slate law covers Mackinac County criminal records. Under MCL § 780.621, some misdemeanors are automatically set aside after seven years and certain felonies after ten years. No petition is needed for automatic expungement. The state reviews records and handles the process.
The Michigan State Police Clean Slate page below explains how the program works for Mackinac County and all other Michigan counties.
If your conviction does not qualify for automatic expungement, you can file a petition with the 11th Circuit Court. You need to fill out forms, pay a fee, and attend a hearing if the prosecutor objects. The judge looks at the crime, your behavior since the conviction, and public safety. Not all crimes can be expunged. Violent offenses and certain sex crimes are permanently on the record.
Juvenile records in Mackinac County are sealed. Under MCL § 712A.28, juvenile court records are not part of the public record. They do not show up on ICHAT or MiCOURT.
Police Records in Mackinac County
Police and arrest records in Mackinac County are held by the agency that responded. The Mackinac County Sheriff's Office, St. Ignace City Police, and Michigan State Police posts in the area all maintain their own records. To get these records, file a FOIA request under MCL § 15.234. Put the request in writing with dates, names, and locations. The agency has five business days to respond. The MSP FOIA portal handles state police requests for this area.