Rochester Hills Criminal Records
Rochester Hills criminal records are public documents maintained by Oakland County courts, the 52nd District Court (3rd Division), and the Michigan State Police. This page explains how to search criminal case files online, submit FOIA requests to local agencies, and access official records tied to Rochester Hills through state databases.
Rochester Hills Overview
Oakland County Courts for Rochester Hills Cases
Rochester Hills is in Oakland County. Criminal cases from the city go through two courts depending on the charge level. Felony charges go to the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac. Misdemeanors and local violations go to the 52nd District Court, 3rd Division, which specifically covers Rochester Hills and nearby communities. Both courts maintain public case records.
| Circuit Court | 6th Circuit Court (Oakland County) |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Address | 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| District Court | 52nd District Court, 3rd Division |
| District Court Address | 700 Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 |
| Case Search | MiCOURT Case Search |
The 52nd District Court has multiple divisions spread across Oakland County. The 3rd Division handles Rochester Hills. You can find district court case records through MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov by searching the person's name or their case number. The system covers both district and circuit courts and is free to use.
Certified copies of court records cost a fee set under state court rules. Contact the clerk's office directly at the courthouse to request them. For full county court details, see the Oakland County criminal records page.
Rochester Hills Police Department
The Rochester Hills Police Department serves the city and handles all local criminal investigations. They create arrest records, incident reports, and booking documents that feed into the state criminal history database. Records requests from the public go through the department's records division under Michigan FOIA rules.
| Department | Rochester Hills Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 1991 E. Auburn Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48307 |
| Phone | (248) 656-3600 |
| Website | rochesterhills.org/police |
| City Clerk | 1000 Rochester Hills Dr., (248) 656-4630 |
Rochester Hills is one of Oakland County's larger cities. The police department is active and well-staffed. Arrest records created by the department go to the Michigan State Police criminal history database after processing. Once a case moves to the district or circuit court, it also appears in MiCOURT. The city website at rochesterhills.org has department links and FOIA request information.
How to Search Rochester Hills Criminal Records
Michigan's ICHAT system is the primary tool for a statewide criminal history search. It pulls from the MSP database and includes arrest and conviction data from all reporting agencies in Michigan, including Rochester Hills. Go to apps.michigan.gov/ichat to run a search. A small per-person fee applies. ICHAT shows offense types, conviction dates, and sentence outcomes reported by local agencies.
MiCOURT is free and covers Rochester Hills cases in the 52nd District and 6th Circuit Court. Search at micourt.courts.michigan.gov by name or case number. Filter by Oakland County to narrow results. The system is updated regularly and shows charges, hearings, and case dispositions. Sealed and expunged records do not appear.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor lets you search by name or location for registered sex offenders in Rochester Hills. It is free and maintained by the Michigan State Police. The registry shows current registration status and address information for people required to register under state law.
OTIS, the Offender Tracking Information System, is run by the Michigan Department of Corrections. Access it at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 to look up current and former state inmates. The system shows offense type, facility, and projected release date for people who served or are serving sentences at a Michigan state prison.
The Michigan OTIS portal at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 covers state inmates and parolees, including those with prior cases in Rochester Hills and Oakland County.
FOIA Requests for Rochester Hills Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, codified at MCL 15.231, gives any person the right to request public records from a government body. In Rochester Hills, you can file FOIA requests with the police department, the city clerk, or Oakland County agencies. Government bodies have 5 business days to respond and can extend that by 10 days with notice.
To get a police report or arrest record from Rochester Hills, submit a written FOIA request to the Rochester Hills Police Department at 1991 E. Auburn Rd. Include the date of the incident, the name of the person involved, and any report number you have. Standard FOIA fees apply under MCL 15.234, covering labor time and copy costs. Call (248) 656-3600 to ask about the current request process.
The Michigan State Police handles requests for statewide criminal history data separately. The MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia has forms and instructions. An MSP background check gives you a more complete picture than a single local police file because it pulls data from all agencies that report to the state.
Note: MCL 15.243 lists exemptions that allow agencies to withhold certain records. Ongoing investigations, witness identities, and records that could harm law enforcement operations may be denied. Juvenile records are typically not public under Michigan law.
The Michigan State Police FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles statewide criminal history requests. Use this to get a complete record that goes beyond what the Rochester Hills Police Department holds on its own.
Expungement and Legal Resources in Rochester Hills
Michigan's expungement statute at MCL 780.621 allows people with certain convictions to petition the court to set aside their record. The 2021 Clean Slate Act expanded who qualifies and added automatic expungement for some lower-level offenses. If you have a Rochester Hills criminal record, you may be eligible to have it cleared after meeting certain waiting periods and conditions.
Rochester Hills residents can get help from Oakland County legal aid resources or nonprofit organizations in the Detroit metro region that run expungement clinics. The Michigan Legal Help portal at courts.michigan.gov has self-help guides and the required court forms. An attorney is not required for expungement, but legal help is useful when the case involves multiple charges or unusual circumstances.
That site aggregates public record data from multiple sources. It is not an official government system, but it can help you understand what is in the public record before submitting formal requests.Oakland County Criminal Records
Rochester Hills is part of Oakland County. Felony cases go to the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac, and the county clerk holds the official court archive. For full county court details, clerk contact, and how to get certified copies, visit the Oakland County criminal records page.
Nearby Oakland County Cities
Rochester Hills shares Oakland County with several other qualifying Michigan cities. All use the 6th Circuit Court for felony cases.