Dearborn Criminal Records
Dearborn criminal records are filed at the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court and the 19th District Court. With about 109,000 residents, Dearborn is one of Michigan's larger cities and sits in the heart of Wayne County. The Dearborn Police Department maintains a records bureau and an online FOIA portal for public records requests. This guide walks you through how to find and access Dearborn criminal records through local courts, police department channels, and state databases.
Dearborn Overview
Wayne County Court Records for Dearborn
Dearborn is part of Wayne County, and felony criminal cases from the city go through the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit. The 3rd Circuit is one of the busiest courts in Michigan and handles serious criminal matters for all of Wayne County, including Dearborn. Misdemeanor cases are heard at the 19th District Court, which serves Dearborn directly. Both courts produce public records under MCL 15.231.
| Circuit Court | Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| District Court | 19th District Court |
| Case Search | MiCOURT Case Search |
| Police Records Bureau | 313-943-2230 |
| Police Records Email | recordbureau@dearborn.gov |
Use MiCOURT to look up Dearborn criminal cases at no cost. The system covers the 19th District Court and the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. Search by the defendant's full name or by case number to see charges, case status, and hearing dates. For certified copies of court records, contact the Wayne County Clerk's office or the 19th District Court clerk. Expunged records under MCL 780.621 will not appear in public searches.
Dearborn Police Department Records Bureau
The Dearborn Police Department Records Bureau is the primary source for police reports, arrest logs, and incident records in Dearborn. The bureau handles all FOIA requests for police department records. Reach the Records Bureau by phone at 313-943-2230 or by email at recordbureau@dearborn.gov. For FOIA-specific requests, use the dedicated email Police-FOIA@dearborn.gov. The department is at 16099 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126. Fax is available at 313-943-3048.
The Dearborn Police reports and records page at dearborn.gov explains which types of reports are available and how to submit a request.
Dearborn also uses the NextRequest online portal for FOIA submissions. This system lets you track your request from submission through completion. You can attach supporting documents and communicate with records staff through the portal. Pickup hours for completed records are Monday and Wednesday from 12:30 to 4:00 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 am to 11:30 am and 12:30 to 4:00 pm, and Friday from 8:00 am to 11:30 am. If your estimated costs exceed $50, a deposit of 50 percent is required before processing begins. The department also accepts payment by check or money order made out to "City of Dearborn."
The Dearborn Police Department page provides contacts for the Records Bureau, Administration, Investigative Services, and Patrol divisions.
Chief Issa Shahin leads the Dearborn Police Department. The Administration division is handled by Commander Andrew Zelazny, reachable at 313-943-2297 or azelazny@dearborn.gov. Investigative Services is under Commander Timothy McHale at 313-943-2237 or tmchale@dearborn.gov. Each division may handle specific records requests based on the nature of the record. For general police report requests, the Records Bureau is your first call. For specific online reports through their self-reporting system, that option is available for certain non-emergency incidents that occurred within Dearborn city limits with no suspect information.
FOIA Requests in Dearborn
Dearborn's FOIA process follows MCL 15.231. You can submit a request by email to Police-FOIA@dearborn.gov for police records or to FOIA@dearborn.gov for general city records. Mail requests to Dearborn Police, Attn: FOIA, 16099 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126. For non-police city records, the Law Department at 16901 Michigan Ave., Ste. 14, Dearborn, MI 48126 handles those requests.
Dearborn's Freedom of Information Act page at dearborn.gov covers the city's FOIA procedures, fees, and how to submit requests for public records including criminal reports.
When you file a FOIA request with the Dearborn Police, include your first and last name, contact information, a detailed description of the documents you need, the incident number if you have it, and the date of the incident. The department has 5 to 15 business days to respond. If they cannot respond in five days, they will send an extension letter explaining the delay. Any denial under MCL 15.243 must come with a written explanation of the specific exemption. You can appeal denials in writing within 180 days. Fee waivers are available for people with low income or if the request is in the public interest.
Labor costs for Dearborn FOIA requests are billed at $35.34 per hour using the burdened labor rate. Copy fees and other expenses are added on top. If fees are waived or reduced, the department still has to follow the law and provide records that are not exempt.
Searching Dearborn Criminal Records Online
For a full statewide criminal history search, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat. This name-based search returns conviction data from courts across the state, including Wayne County and the 19th District Court records tied to Dearborn. Each search costs $10. Results show felony and misdemeanor convictions but do not include arrests that did not lead to a conviction or records that were expunged.
The MDOC OTIS database at mdocweb.state.mi.us shows current and past inmates who were sentenced to state prison. Dearborn felony convictions that resulted in prison time will appear there. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor is searchable by name or zip code and covers registered offenders in Dearborn. For crash report records, Dearborn uses the CLEMIS system, which is the Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information System used across Wayne County.
Note: Dearborn's online reporting tool is only for certain non-emergency incidents with no suspect; reports for stolen vehicles, firearms, and ID theft must be filed in person.
Legal Help for Dearborn Residents
Several legal aid organizations serve Dearborn and Wayne County. Michigan's Clean Slate Act under MCL 780.621 expanded expungement eligibility in 2021. Many Dearborn residents now qualify to have older convictions set aside. Applications go through the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. Expungement removes the conviction from public records and the ICHAT system, which can improve job and housing prospects.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free step-by-step guides on expungement and other legal topics. The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service connects you with a local attorney for an affordable first consultation. Legal Aid and Defender Association of Detroit also serves Wayne County residents with free civil and some criminal legal help for those who qualify based on income. Call 2-1-1 for referrals to legal aid, housing, and other services in Dearborn.
Wayne County Criminal Records
Dearborn is in Wayne County, and all felony cases from the city go through the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. For county-level courthouse details, resources, and the full Wayne County guide, visit the page below.
Nearby Wayne County Cities
Other Wayne County cities have criminal records pages with local court and law enforcement information.