Find Criminal Records in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor criminal records are handled by the Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court and the Ann Arbor Police Department. Ann Arbor is the seat of Washtenaw County and home to the University of Michigan, with about 124,000 residents. The city's FOIA process is split between the police department and the city clerk's office depending on the type of record. This page explains how to search Ann Arbor criminal records, request documents, and find legal resources in Washtenaw County.

Washtenaw County Court Records for Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor criminal cases at the felony level go through the Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court. Misdemeanor and traffic cases are handled by the 15th District Court, which also sits in Ann Arbor. The 15th District Court has an online case search tool at a2gov.org. Both courts maintain public records that can be searched online or accessed in person at the courthouse.

The MiCOURT Case Search system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov covers both the 22nd Circuit Court and the 15th District Court. Search by name or case number to find Ann Arbor criminal cases. Results show charges, case status, hearing dates, and docket history. MiCOURT is free to use and available without a login. Under MCL 15.231, criminal court records are public unless a court order or statute restricts access.

Ann Arbor Police Department Records

The Ann Arbor Police Department handles records requests for police incident reports, arrest records, and related law enforcement documents. To request police records, submit a FOIA request to the Police Records Department at the Justice Center, 2nd Floor, 301 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. You can email a2policerecords@a2gov.org or fax to (734) 994-9928. More information on the police FOIA process is at a2gov.org.

Non-police city records go through the City Clerk's office at the same address, City Hall 2nd Floor, 301 E. Huron Street. Email cityclerk@a2gov.org or fax to (734) 994-8296. Call (734) 794-6140 to reach the City Clerk. The general FOIA request page is at a2gov.org. Both offices require you to include "FOIA" in the subject line if submitting by email. Your request must describe the record well enough for staff to find it.

Ann Arbor's city website also makes many records available without a formal FOIA request. The A2 Open Book tool shows city financial data. The Open Data Portal contains crime data. The city's FOIA database lets you track the status of active requests online. These tools are good starting points before submitting a formal request. Visit a2gov.org to see the full list of publicly available records.

Michigan's state-level consumer protection and criminal records resources cover cases from Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County courts.

Searching Ann Arbor Criminal Records

The Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat is the main tool for statewide criminal history searches. Each search costs $10 and covers conviction records from courts across Michigan, including Ann Arbor's 15th District Court and the 22nd Circuit Court. The search is name-based. For a fingerprint-verified result, contact MSP Central Records at 517-241-0606.

The 15th District Court in Ann Arbor has its own online case search at a2gov.org. This covers local misdemeanor and traffic cases. For felony cases at the circuit court level, use the statewide MiCOURT system. Both are free and public. Ann Arbor is unique in that the city provides a broad range of open data, including crime statistics, through its Open Data Portal.

For inmate records, check the Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS database at mdocweb.state.mi.us. If someone received a state prison sentence after a conviction in Washtenaw County, their record appears there. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor is publicly searchable and covers registered offenders in Ann Arbor by name or zip code.

FOIA Process in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor's FOIA procedures follow MCL 15.231. The city has five business days to respond to your request, with a possible 10-day extension for large or complex requests. If your request is denied, the city must provide a written explanation citing the applicable exemption under MCL 15.243. You can appeal any denial in writing, and judicial review is also available if the appeal fails.

If the estimated cost exceeds $50, a deposit is required before processing begins. Ann Arbor residents who cannot afford fees may submit an Indigency Affidavit to seek a waiver. The FOIA Procedures PDF available on the city site explains how fees are calculated, including labor rates and copy charges. You can review this at a2gov.org. Many records are also available without a formal FOIA request through the city's open data tools.

Legal Help in Ann Arbor

Washtenaw County legal aid and the University of Michigan Law School's clinical programs both serve Ann Arbor residents with legal needs. The Washtenaw County Public Defender's Office handles criminal defense for those who qualify. The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private attorney in Washtenaw County.

Michigan residents who have old convictions may qualify for expungement under MCL 780.621, Michigan's Clean Slate Act. This law, expanded in 2021, allows more convictions to be set aside and includes an automatic expungement process for some offenses. Ann Arbor's legal aid community can help you understand if you qualify and assist with filing the petition. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelporg has free guides and forms for people handling their own expungement case.

Washtenaw County Criminal Records

Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County. Felony criminal cases from Ann Arbor are heard at the Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court. For the complete county-level guide with courthouse details and resources, visit the Washtenaw County page below.

View Washtenaw County Criminal Records

Nearby Qualifying Cities

Other qualifying Michigan cities near Ann Arbor also have criminal records pages with local information.