Mason County Criminal History
Mason County criminal history records are accessible through the county clerk in Ludington and several state-run databases. The 51st Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases here, and the 79th District Court covers misdemeanors. Sitting along the Lake Michigan coast in west-central Michigan, Mason County has a modest caseload. This page covers how to search criminal history in Mason County using free online tools, paid state databases, and in-person visits to the clerk's office.
Mason County Quick Facts
Mason County Clerk and Criminal Case Records
Cheryl A. Mason is the Mason County Clerk. The office is located at 304 E Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431. The phone number is (231) 843-1596. The clerk serves as Clerk of the 51st Circuit Court and manages all record requests for criminal cases filed in this court.
To get a copy of a Mason County criminal record, visit the clerk's office in Ludington. Have the case number ready if you know it. The defendant's full name and date of birth will also work for searching. Copy fees are about $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more. The clerk can provide charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and other materials from a criminal case file.
You can also mail a request. Write a letter with the case information and include payment for the estimated copy fees. A check or money order payable to the Mason County Clerk is the preferred method. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail processing takes about one to two weeks depending on the complexity of the request.
Under MCL § 15.231, Michigan law gives the public the right to access public records. Most criminal court records in Mason County are public. Sealed records require a court order to access. Court Rule 8.119 sets out the rules for what can and cannot be restricted from public view in Michigan courts.
Search Mason County Criminal History Online
The MiCOURT portal covers Mason County courts and is free to use. Search by name or case number to find criminal cases from the 51st Circuit Court and the 79th District Court. MiCOURT shows charges, case status, hearing schedules, and dispositions. No account is needed.
MiCOURT pulls data from courts across the state. For Mason County, it includes both felony and misdemeanor records. This makes it a solid starting point for anyone looking up criminal history in the county. The data updates regularly, though new filings may take a day or two to show up in the system.
Here is the Michigan State Police criminal history page, where you can find ICHAT and other search tools that cover Mason County.
The ICHAT system costs $10 per name search. It checks the statewide criminal history database run by the Michigan State Police. ICHAT returns conviction records for felonies and serious misdemeanors from all Michigan counties, including Mason. You need the person's full name and date of birth. Results come back quickly.
State Tools Covering Mason County Criminal History
OTIS tracks offenders from Mason County who are in Michigan state prisons or on parole. The system is free. Search by name to see their current location, sentence length, and release information. OTIS is run by the Michigan Department of Corrections and covers all state facilities.
The OTIS search page is shown below. It covers Mason County offenders along with those from every other Michigan county.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered sex offenders in Mason County. Use name, zip code, or address searches. The registry is free and shows photos, addresses, and conviction details. It is run by the Michigan State Police.
Under MCL § 28.241a, fingerprint-based criminal history checks are handled by the Michigan State Police. The fee is $30 by mail or $50 to $70 through a LiveScan vendor. Ludington and nearby Muskegon have LiveScan locations available for Mason County residents. Fingerprint checks are the most reliable form of background check because they match to a single individual.
Mason County Criminal Record Expungement
Michigan's Clean Slate law covers Mason County criminal records. Under MCL § 780.621, certain misdemeanor convictions are automatically set aside after seven years and some felonies after ten years. The process is automatic for eligible convictions. No petition is needed.
Learn more about the Clean Slate program on the Michigan State Police page below.
If your Mason County conviction is not eligible for automatic expungement, you can file a petition with the 51st Circuit Court. You will need forms, a filing fee, and may need to attend a hearing. The prosecutor can object. The judge looks at the offense, your record since the conviction, and public interest. Violent crimes and certain sex crimes are not eligible for expungement under Michigan law.
Juvenile records in Mason County are sealed. Under MCL § 712A.28, juvenile court records are not available to the public. They do not appear on ICHAT, MiCOURT, or any other public search tool.
Mason County Police and Arrest Records
Police records in Mason County are kept by the law enforcement agency that handled the case. The Mason County Sheriff's Office, Ludington City Police, and Scottville Police each maintain separate files. To get arrest reports or incident records, file a FOIA request under MCL § 15.234. Put it in writing with dates, names, and locations. The agency has five business days to respond. Copy fees are usually $0.10 per page.
The MSP FOIA portal handles state police records from posts in the Mason County area.