Clinton Township Criminal Records
Clinton Township criminal records are maintained by the Clinton Township Police Department and the Macomb County court system. The township has about 101,000 residents and is one of the most populous charter townships in Michigan. Felony cases go through the Macomb County 16th Circuit Court, while misdemeanor matters are handled by the 41-B District Court. This page explains how to request police records, search court filings, and use state databases to find criminal history information tied to Clinton Township.
Clinton Township Overview
Macomb County Court Records for Clinton Township
Clinton Township is in Macomb County, and felony criminal cases from the township go through the Macomb County 16th Circuit Court. This court handles all serious criminal matters for the county, including Clinton Township residents. The 41-B District Court covers misdemeanor cases, civil infractions, and arraignments for Clinton Township. Both courts are part of Michigan's public records system under MCL 15.231. Note that this is Clinton Township in Macomb County. It is a separate and distinct place from Clinton County, which is a different county located in mid-Michigan.
| Circuit Court | Macomb County 16th Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| District Court | 41-B District Court |
| Case Search | MiCOURT Case Search |
| Police Records Bureau | 586-493-7810 |
| Police Email | police@clintontownship-mi.gov |
You can search Clinton Township criminal cases on MiCOURT free of charge. The system covers both the 41-B District Court and the 16th Circuit Court. Enter the defendant's full name or case number to see charges, case status, and court hearing dates. Under MCL 15.231, most court records are accessible to the public. For certified copies, contact the Macomb County Clerk's office directly. Sealed or expunged records under MCL 780.621 will not appear in public searches.
If you are looking for records from Macomb County's other courts or the county circuit court's detailed case files, the Macomb County Clerk maintains those records. The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov provides directories for all district and circuit courts in the state.
Clinton Township Police Records Bureau
The Clinton Township Police Department Records Bureau handles all public records requests for police reports, incident records, and arrest documentation. The bureau is at 37985 Groesbeck Hwy., Clinton Twp., MI 48036. Call the Records Bureau directly at 586-493-7810. For general police department matters, reach the station front desk at 586-493-7802. Non-emergency dispatch is available at 586-469-5502. FOIA requests go to FOIA@clintontownship-mi.gov. Police department general email is police@clintontownship-mi.gov. Visit the police department page at clintontownship.com/281/Police for current department information.
The Michigan OTIS system at the Department of Corrections shows current and past state prison inmates, including those from Macomb County felony cases tied to Clinton Township.
Submitting a FOIA request to the Clinton Township Police involves filling out the Police FOIA Request Form, which is a PDF available on the township's website at clintontownship.com. You can email the completed form to FOIA@clintontownship-mi.gov or submit it by fax, in person, or by mail. The department also accepts requests for general township records. The general FOIA request form is at clintontownship.com. Your request must include specific details about the record you want, including the date, incident number, and names involved if you have them.
FOIA Procedures in Clinton Township
Clinton Township's FOIA process follows Michigan law under MCL 15.231. The FOIA coordinators for the township are the Police Department Records Bureau (for police records) and the Deputy Fire Chief (for fire records). For all other township records, submit requests through the general FOIA process on the township website at clintontownship.com/389/Freedom-of-Information-Act-FOIA. The police-specific FOIA page is at clintontownship.com/484/FOIA-Request-for-Police-Records.
The township must respond within five business days. The response can be a grant, denial, partial grant, or an extension notice allowing up to 10 more days. Any denial must cite the specific exemption used under MCL 15.243. Denied requests can be appealed to the Township Board. FOIA does not require the township to compile summaries or create documents that do not already exist in their files. Fees are based on the actual cost of search, examination, and copying. Under AOG Opinion 6977, payment is required before records are released. If estimated costs exceed $50, a deposit of up to 50 percent may be required. People with low income may submit an Indigency Affidavit under MCL 15.234(1) to ask for a fee reduction.
The Michigan State Police FOIA portal handles requests for state police records, which is separate from Clinton Township's local police department records process.
Note: Clinton Township FOIA requests must describe records specifically enough for staff to locate them; general or vague requests may be denied or returned for clarification.
Searching Clinton Township Criminal Records
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat is the main state-level tool for criminal history searches. Each search costs $10 and returns conviction records from courts across Michigan, including the Macomb County courts that cover Clinton Township. Results are name-based and may include people who share the same name. For a fingerprint-based background check, contact MSP Central Records.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor lets you search by name or zip code for registered offenders in Clinton Township. The MDOC OTIS system at mdocweb.state.mi.us shows past and current state prison inmates from Macomb County felony cases. Use MiCOURT for court case dockets and case status. All three tools together give you the most complete picture of criminal history available through public channels.
Legal Resources for Clinton Township Residents
Clinton Township residents who need help with criminal records, expungement, or court filings have access to Macomb County resources. Michigan's Clean Slate Act under MCL 780.621 lets many Michigan residents apply to have older convictions set aside. The 2021 changes expanded who qualifies, so even people who were told they could not expunge a record before should check again.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides on expungement and how to navigate the court system without a lawyer. The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a Macomb County attorney. The Macomb County 16th Circuit Court self-help center assists people filing on their own. Call 2-1-1 for referrals to local legal aid, housing, and social services in Clinton Township and Macomb County.
Macomb County Criminal Records
Clinton Township is in Macomb County. Felony cases from the township go through the Macomb County 16th Circuit Court. For full county courthouse details and resources, visit the county page below.
Nearby Macomb County Cities
Other Macomb County cities with criminal records pages are listed below.