Macomb County Criminal History Search
Criminal history records in Macomb County are held by the 16th Circuit Court, district courts, and the county clerk's office in Mt. Clemens. Macomb County is the third most populous county in Michigan with about 870,000 residents. The county clerk manages court records while local police departments and the sheriff's office hold law enforcement records. You can search Macomb County criminal cases online through MiCOURT, request records from the clerk at 40 N Main St, or file a FOIA request with local police departments. This page explains each option for accessing Macomb County criminal history records.
Macomb County Criminal History Overview
Macomb County Clerk Court Records
The Macomb County Clerk's office handles court records for the 16th Circuit Court. Clerk Anthony G. Forlini runs the office at 40 N Main St, Mt. Clemens MI 48043. The main phone number is (586) 469-5351. For court records specifically, call (586) 469-5185. The clerk keeps records for all felony cases tried in the circuit court, plus civil and family cases.
You can visit the Macomb County Clerk court records page for details on how to request records. Copies cost $2 per page. Certified copies are $10 plus $2 for each extra page. A name search runs $2 per name. These fees apply to both walk-in and mail requests. Pay by check or money order made out to the Macomb County Clerk. Cash is accepted for in-person visits.
The Macomb County Clerk's court records page shows what is on hand and how to get it.
Mail requests should include the full name of the person, date of birth if known, the case number if you have it, and what specific records you need. Send your request to the clerk at the Mt. Clemens address. Allow 5 to 10 business days for processing.
16th Circuit Court Criminal Cases
All felony cases in Macomb County go through the 16th Circuit Court. The court sits at the Macomb County courthouse in Mt. Clemens. Felony cases start with an arraignment at the district court level, then move to circuit court after a preliminary exam or waiver. The circuit court handles trials, pleas, and sentencing for all felonies in the county.
You can search Macomb County 16th Circuit Court cases online through MiCOURT. This is free. Search by name, case number, or date range. The system shows charges, case status, hearing dates, and the register of actions. MiCOURT does not display the full text of court filings. For actual copies of orders, judgments, or motions, you need to go through the clerk's office. The Macomb County Court website has more details on the court's operations and how to access records.
The MiCOURT portal for the 16th Circuit Court lets you search Macomb County criminal cases for free.
Note: Expunged records under MCL 780.621 will not appear in MiCOURT or clerk searches.
Macomb County District Courts
Macomb County has multiple district courts that handle misdemeanor cases. The 37th District Court serves Warren. The 41A District Court covers Sterling Heights. The 41B District Court handles Clinton Township and other areas. Each court keeps its own records for misdemeanor charges, ordinance violations, and felony arraignments.
District court records in Macomb County can be searched through MiCOURT for courts that participate in the system. Not all district courts have full online access. For courts not on MiCOURT, you need to call or visit in person. Contact the specific district court where the case was filed. Copy fees at district courts generally match the county schedule. Misdemeanor records are important for a full picture of someone's criminal history in Macomb County, since many lesser charges never move beyond the district court level.
Macomb County FOIA and Police Records
Law enforcement records in Macomb County come from local police departments and the Macomb County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff is located at 43565 Elizabeth Rd, Mt. Clemens MI 48043. Call (586) 469-5151 for general inquiries. Police incident reports, arrest records, and booking info are held by the agency that made the arrest.
To get these records, you file a FOIA request under MCL 15.231. Put your request in writing and send it to the agency. Include your name, mailing address, and a clear description of what you want. The agency has five business days to respond, with a possible ten-day extension. Copy fees are usually $0.10 per page. Labor and search fees vary by agency.
Macomb Township has its own FOIA process and also publishes yearly incident reports. You can learn about Macomb Township FOIA requests at the Macomb Township FOIA page.
Macomb Township also posts yearly incident reports on its website. These reports can give a broader view of crime in the area.
Keep in mind that FOIA does not apply to court records. Court files fall under Michigan Court Rule 8.119. You request those from the clerk. FOIA works for police records, agency files, and other government documents. Some records are exempt if release would interfere with an active investigation or endanger someone's safety.
Online Criminal History Tools for Macomb County
Several statewide tools cover Macomb County criminal history records. ICHAT from the Michigan State Police costs $10 per search. It shows felony convictions and serious misdemeanors. Results are fast. You need a full name and date of birth.
MiCOURT is free and covers the 16th Circuit Court plus some district courts. The OTIS system from the Department of Corrections is free and tracks current state prisoners and parolees. The CLEMIS system covers crash reports and some police reports for Macomb County. Reports cost $10 to $19.
For sex offenders, search the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry by name or location. It covers all of Michigan, including Macomb County.
Criminal History Laws in Macomb County
Macomb County follows Michigan law for criminal records access. Under MCL 28.241a, criminal history records include arrest data, convictions, and case dispositions. Court records are public unless sealed by a judge. Juvenile records stay sealed under MCL 712A.28.
Michigan's Clean Slate law means some records no longer show up in Macomb County criminal history searches. Certain misdemeanors clear after seven years automatically. Certain felonies clear after ten years. Violent crimes, sex offenses, and crimes carrying ten or more years are not eligible. Under MCL 780.621, expunged records are removed from public databases. This affects what you find in ICHAT, MiCOURT, and clerk records.