Find Wexford County Criminal History

Wexford County criminal history records are kept by the county clerk and the 28th Circuit Court in Cadillac. Sitting in the northwest part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Wexford County processes criminal cases through its courthouse on East Division Street. You can search for criminal records here using MiCOURT, run a statewide check with ICHAT, or contact the clerk for copies. Cadillac is the commercial hub for this part of Michigan, and the courthouse handles cases from across the county and occasionally from people passing through on US-131.

Wexford County Clerk Criminal Records

County Clerk Alaina M. Nivison manages criminal history records for Wexford County. The clerk's office is at 437 E Division St, Cadillac, MI 49601. Call 231-779-9450 for record requests and questions. The office maintains files from the 28th Circuit Court, which processes felony cases in the county. Walk-in requests are taken during regular business hours. Staff search records by name or case number.

Standard copies are $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. If you want to request records by mail, include the person's full name, any case numbers you have, and a check or money order payable to the Wexford County Clerk. MCL 28.241a defines criminal history records in Michigan as arrest information, conviction records, and case disposition data maintained by courts and law enforcement. Wexford County's files go back many years. The clerk's office in Cadillac is used to handling requests from the public, attorneys, and other agencies. Most recent case lookups can be done the same day.

For older cases, allow extra time. Archives may need to be pulled from storage.

28th Circuit Court in Wexford County

The 28th Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases in Wexford County. This circuit also covers Missaukee County. Felony charges start at the district court with an arraignment and preliminary hearing, then move to the 28th Circuit for trial and sentencing. The court sits in Cadillac.

Search 28th Circuit Court records online through MiCOURT, the free case search tool from the Michigan courts. You can look up Wexford County criminal cases by name or case number. MiCOURT shows charges, hearing dates, and case status. Full court documents are not available through the system. Contact the clerk for complete filings. The 84th District Court also serves Wexford County, handling misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary exams for felonies. District court records are in MiCOURT too.

Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, criminal court records are generally open to the public. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and records set aside under MCL 780.621 are exceptions. The 28th Circuit covers both Wexford and Missaukee counties, so when searching in MiCOURT, note which county a case belongs to. Both counties share the same circuit court but maintain separate clerk offices.

Online Criminal History Search for Wexford County

The ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police runs a statewide criminal history search. It costs $10 per name. ICHAT covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties, Wexford included. Enter a name and date of birth and results come back fast. ICHAT does not include minor traffic cases, juvenile records, or expunged records.

The Michigan State Police Criminal History Records page has more info on the types of background checks available. Name-based ICHAT searches work well for quick checks. Fingerprint-based searches are more comprehensive and used for licensing. For Wexford County criminal history, ICHAT saves you a trip to Cadillac when you just need a basic look at someone's record. It covers the whole state in one search.

The ICHAT portal from the Michigan State Police is the primary statewide search tool for criminal history that includes Wexford County.

The OTIS system from the Michigan Department of Corrections is a free tool that tracks people in state prison or on parole. Search by name to find sentence details, offense type, and expected release dates. If someone from Wexford County was sentenced to state prison through the 28th Circuit, OTIS shows where they are and their current status.

Wexford County FOIA Process

Some Wexford County criminal history records are available through a FOIA request. This covers police reports, arrest logs, and incident records held by local law enforcement like the Wexford County Sheriff's Office and Cadillac Police Department. Court records go through the clerk under Court Rule 8.119 and are not covered by FOIA.

Under MCL 15.231, any person has the right to request public records from a Michigan government agency. Write to the agency with your name, address, and a description of the records you need. The agency has five business days to respond, with a possible ten-day extension. Copy costs run about $0.10 per page. MCL 15.234 allows a fee waiver of the first $20 for indigent requesters with proof. The MSP FOIA portal handles requests to the Michigan State Police for records involving Wexford County investigations conducted by the Cadillac MSP post.

Clean Slate and Expungement in Wexford County

Michigan's Clean Slate law impacts Wexford County criminal history. Under MCL 780.621, certain misdemeanors are automatically set aside after seven years. Some felonies clear after ten years. The Michigan State Police run the automatic process statewide. Not all crimes qualify. Assaultive offenses, sex crimes, and offenses punishable by ten or more years are excluded from automatic expungement.

Check the Clean Slate information page from the Michigan State Police for full details on what qualifies. Once a record is expunged, it will not appear in ICHAT, MiCOURT, or the Wexford County clerk's files. People who want to clear records before the automatic timeline can petition the 28th Circuit Court in Cadillac. File with the court that entered the original conviction. Some legal aid organizations in the Cadillac area offer free help with the petition process for qualifying residents.

Sex Offender Data in Wexford County

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry lists all registered offenders in Wexford County. Search by name, zip code, or address. Listings include photos, home addresses, offense details, and tier levels. The tool is free and anyone can use it. The Michigan State Police update the data based on registration reports from local law enforcement in the county.

Wexford County has a mix of city and rural areas. The registry covers offenders in Cadillac, Manton, and the surrounding townships. Tier three offenders must register for life. Data stays current with regular updates from the MSP.

Nearby Counties

Counties neighboring Wexford County that may hold related criminal history records.