Access Saginaw County Criminal History
Saginaw County criminal history records are managed by the 10th Circuit Court and the county clerk's office on Michigan Avenue in the city of Saginaw. The clerk offers name-based searches for a fee, and you can also search for free through the statewide MiCOURT system. Whether you need to check a criminal case, get copies of court documents, or pull records from local law enforcement, Saginaw County has several paths to access criminal history information. This guide covers how each one works.
Saginaw County Quick Facts
Saginaw County Criminal Records at the Clerk's Office
Vanessa J. Guerra serves as the Saginaw County Clerk. The office is at 111 S Michigan Avenue, Room 101, Saginaw, MI 48602. Call (989) 790-5251 for record requests. The clerk handles all court records for the 10th Circuit Court, including criminal case files and related documents.
Saginaw County charges a $10 fee for the first name search. Each additional name costs $1. This is a clerk-conducted search, meaning staff look up the records for you. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies add $10 on top of the per-page cost. If you need a certified copy of a Saginaw County criminal record, plan on at least $11 for a one-page document. The fees go up from there based on the number of pages.
The Saginaw County Clerk circuit court records page has details on how to request records, what fees apply, and how to submit a request by mail or in person.
You can view the Saginaw County Clerk's circuit court records page here, which explains the process for requesting criminal history documents from the 10th Circuit Court.
The clerk's office also has public access terminals. You can walk in and search court records on these terminals at no charge. The free inspection right applies to anyone. You can view records on screen without paying a fee. You only pay when you want copies printed. This is a good option if you just need to confirm whether a case exists or check a disposition without ordering paper copies.
Search Saginaw County Criminal History Online
The MiCOURT portal for the 10th Circuit Court covers Saginaw County felony cases. You can search by name or case number for free. No account is needed. Results show charges, case status, hearing dates, and dispositions. MiCOURT is the fastest way to do a basic Saginaw County criminal history check from home.
The 70th District Court is also available on MiCOURT. This court handles misdemeanor criminal cases in Saginaw County. If the offense was a misdemeanor, check the district court records too. Many people only search the circuit court and miss misdemeanor cases entirely. Simple assault, shoplifting, disorderly conduct, and minor drug offenses usually go through the district court.
ICHAT from the Michigan State Police costs $10 and covers all 83 Michigan counties. It shows felony convictions and serious misdemeanor convictions. For Saginaw County specifically, ICHAT may show some cases that have not yet been updated on MiCOURT, or vice versa. Using both tools gives you a fuller picture.
Note: Saginaw County's free public access terminals at the clerk's office offer the same data as a paid name search, just without printed copies.
Saginaw County Courts and Criminal Cases
The 10th Circuit Court handles all felony cases in Saginaw County. Felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, trials, plea deals, and sentencing all take place here. The court keeps records of every criminal case, and these are public unless sealed by a judge. The 70th District Court handles misdemeanors and conducts preliminary exams for felonies before they move to circuit court.
Saginaw County has a higher crime rate compared to some other Michigan counties, which means the courts handle a significant volume of criminal cases each year. That translates to a large body of criminal history records. If you are searching for records from the past decade, they should be on the digital systems. Older records from the 1990s or earlier may require a trip to the clerk's office or a mail request.
Michigan's Clean Slate law under MCL § 780.621 applies in Saginaw County. Qualifying misdemeanors are automatically cleared after seven years. Some felonies clear after ten years. Expunged records are removed from public databases. To petition for expungement outside the automatic process, file with the 10th Circuit Court.
Saginaw County Criminal History and State Resources
Police records in Saginaw County can be obtained through a FOIA request under MCL § 15.231. Send the request to the Saginaw Police Department, Saginaw County Sheriff, or whichever agency handled the incident. Court records are not subject to FOIA. They are handled by the clerk.
OTIS tracks Saginaw County offenders in state prison or on parole. It is free. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry covers registered offenders in the county. Fingerprint-based checks under MCL § 28.241a cost $30 by mail or $50 to $70 at a LiveScan site. These are the most accurate way to tie a criminal history to a specific person.
Juvenile records in Saginaw County are sealed under MCL § 712A.28. No public search tool shows them. Only authorized parties and the court can access juvenile case files.