Find Criminal Records in Canton Township
Canton Township criminal records are handled by the Canton Public Safety Department Records Bureau and the Wayne County court system. Canton Township is a charter township in Wayne County with about 99,000 residents. Felony cases go to the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court, while misdemeanors are heard at the 35th District Court. You can request police records through the NextRequest online portal, search court cases through MiCOURT, or run a statewide background check through Michigan State Police ICHAT. This page covers all the main ways to find criminal records in Canton Township.
Canton Township Overview
Wayne County Court Records for Canton Township
Canton Township is part of Wayne County. Felony criminal cases from Canton Township go through the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court based in Detroit. The 3rd Circuit is Michigan's largest trial court and handles serious criminal matters for all of Wayne County. The 35th District Court has jurisdiction over Canton Township for misdemeanor matters, civil infractions, and arraignments. Both courts create records that are open to the public under MCL 15.231.
| Circuit Court | Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| District Court | 35th District Court |
| Case Search | MiCOURT Case Search |
| Records Bureau Phone | 734-394-5410 |
| Public Safety Main | 734-394-5400 |
The free MiCOURT system lets you search Canton Township criminal cases in both the 35th District and the 3rd Circuit courts. Search by full name or case number to see charges, docket entries, hearing dates, and case outcomes. This is the fastest way to check whether a criminal case was filed in court, without needing to go in person. Under MCL 780.621, expunged cases will not appear in public court searches. Certified copies of court records require a written request to the clerk of the relevant court.
For a complete directory of Wayne County courts and their contact details, visit the Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov. The site lists addresses, phone numbers, and hours for all district and circuit courts across the state.
Canton Public Safety Records Bureau
Canton Township uses a combined public safety department that covers police and fire services. The Canton Public Safety Records Bureau is the primary point of contact for police report requests and FOIA submissions. The bureau is at 1150 S. Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48188. Call 734-394-5410 to reach the Records Bureau. The main public safety line is 734-394-5400. For non-emergency dispatch, call 734-394-5400, then press 2, then 1. Visit the department page at cantonmi.gov/256/Police for current information.
Records Bureau hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The bureau is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Plan your visit or call accordingly. If you need a record and cannot visit during those hours, the online NextRequest portal at cantontownshipmi.nextrequest.com is available at any time. The FOIA and record requests page is at cantonmi.gov/954/Record-Requests-FOIA. The Records Bureau page is at cantonmi.gov/291/Records-Bureau.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name or zip code for registered offenders in Canton Township and surrounding Wayne County areas.
Fire department reports in Canton Township are all handled through FOIA requests. EMS reports require either the patient's own request or a signed HIPAA authorization from the person whose records are being sought. The Canton Township Clerk's Office at cantonmi.gov/209/Clerks-Office handles FOIA appeals. A deputy clerk serves as the FOIA coordinator, and the Board of Trustees reviews all FOIA appeals for township-wide records. Canton Township established a Police Transparency and Guidance (PTAG) Subcommittee in 2021 to improve oversight and public access to police records.
FOIA Requests in Canton Township
Canton Township follows MCL 15.231 for all public records requests. You can submit a request in person at the Records Bureau, by mail, by fax, or through the online NextRequest portal at cantontownshipmi.nextrequest.com. NextRequest lets you track your request and receive updates online. Mail requests to Canton Public Safety Records Bureau, 1150 S. Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48188.
Your request must include enough detail for staff to locate the record. Include the incident date, location, report number if you have it, and the names of people involved. The department has five business days to respond under Michigan law. Fees are based on labor time and copy costs. The department uses an Indigency Affidavit process for people who cannot afford the fees. This is available under Michigan law and can reduce or waive costs for qualified individuals. If your request is denied under MCL 15.243, you will get a written explanation listing the specific exemption. You can then appeal to the Township Board.
Michigan's MiFile e-filing system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov allows attorneys and self-represented litigants to file court documents for cases in Wayne County courts, including those from Canton Township.
Note: The Canton Township Records Bureau is closed Friday through Sunday, so plan your in-person visit for Monday through Thursday between 8 am and 6 pm.
Canton Township Criminal Records Search
Start with the Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat for a statewide criminal history that includes Canton Township cases. Each search costs $10 and covers convictions from courts across Michigan. The search is name-based. If the name you search is common, you may see results for multiple people. For a fingerprint-based background check, contact MSP Central Records at 517-241-0606 to verify identity.
MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is free and covers court cases from the 35th District Court and Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. The MDOC OTIS system at mdocweb.state.mi.us shows state prison inmates from Wayne County felony cases. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor covers registered offenders living in Canton Township. Together, these tools cover most publicly available criminal history information for Canton Township residents.
Legal Resources for Canton Township Residents
Canton Township residents can access Wayne County legal aid resources for help with criminal records and expungement. Michigan's Clean Slate Act under MCL 780.621 allows many residents to apply to have criminal convictions set aside. The 2021 law changes also added automatic expungement for certain offenses after a waiting period. Applications go through the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides free self-help guides on expungement steps, forms, and timelines. The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service connects Canton Township residents with licensed attorneys in Wayne County for an affordable first meeting. Call 2-1-1 for referrals to legal aid groups and social services in the area. Legal Aid and Defender Association of Detroit serves Wayne County residents with incomes that qualify for free civil legal help.
Wayne County Criminal Records
Canton Township is in Wayne County. All felony cases go through the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. Visit the county page below for full courthouse details, county-level resources, and more.
Nearby Wayne County Cities
Other qualifying Wayne County cities with criminal records pages are listed below.