Waterford Township Criminal Records
Waterford Township criminal records are public documents held by Oakland County courts, the 51st District Court, and the Michigan State Police. This charter township in Oakland County has its own police department and township clerk that handle public records requests under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act.
Waterford Township Overview
Courts Handling Waterford Township Cases
Waterford Township is in Oakland County, and criminal cases from the township are processed through the Oakland County court system. Felony cases go to the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac. Misdemeanor cases and local violations are handled by the 51st District Court, which covers Waterford Township. Public records from both courts are accessible online and in person.
| Circuit Court | 6th Circuit Court (Oakland County) |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Address | 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| District Court | 51st District Court |
| County | Oakland County |
| Case Search | MiCOURT Case Search |
MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is free and lets you search Waterford Township court cases by name or case number. Filter results by Oakland County to narrow down to local cases. The system covers both district and circuit court records and is updated on a regular basis. It does not include sealed or expunged records.
Certified copies of court documents require a visit or written request to the clerk's office at the applicable courthouse. Fees apply. See the Oakland County criminal records page for clerk contact details and procedures.
Waterford Township Police Department
Waterford Township has its own police department that handles law enforcement throughout the charter township. The department creates arrest records, incident reports, and booking data that flow into the Michigan State Police criminal history database. Public records requests for police documents are handled under Michigan FOIA rules.
| Department | Waterford Township Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 5150 Civic Center Dr., Waterford, MI 48329 |
| Phone | (248) 674-0351 |
| Website | twp.waterford.mi.us/police |
| Township Clerk | 5200 Civic Center Dr., (248) 674-6262 |
Waterford Township is a charter township, which means it operates with a specific form of local government separate from a city structure. The Township Clerk at 5200 Civic Center Dr. handles municipal records and can direct FOIA requests to the right department. The township website at twp.waterford.mi.us has department listings and contact information for all township offices.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office also serves parts of the region and may handle some calls that originate in Waterford Township. Records from sheriff's deputies go through Oakland County, not the township police department. If you are unsure which agency handled a specific incident, contact both and ask.
How to Search Waterford Township Criminal Records
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the best starting point for a thorough criminal history search. It covers arrests and dispositions recorded across all of Michigan, including Waterford Township. Access it at apps.michigan.gov/ichat. There is a small fee per search. ICHAT results reflect what reporting agencies have submitted to MSP, so completeness depends on whether local agencies filed their data on time.
MiCOURT is free and covers case-level data. Search by name at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. Filter by Oakland County to find Waterford Township cases in the 51st District and 6th Circuit. The system shows charges, hearings, and final dispositions. You can also search by case number if you have it. Sealed and expunged records are not visible.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor is a free public database. Search by name or location to find registered sex offenders in Waterford Township. The registry is maintained by the Michigan State Police and shows current registration data for people required to register under Michigan law.
OTIS, the Offender Tracking Information System, is run by the Michigan Department of Corrections. Use it at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 to search for current and former Michigan state inmates and parolees. The system shows offense type, sentence, and facility information for people who served or are serving time in a Michigan state prison.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor is searchable by Waterford Township address and lets you check for registered sex offenders in the area.
FOIA Requests for Waterford Township Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 gives any person the right to request records from a government body. In Waterford Township, you can file requests with the township police department, the Township Clerk, or Oakland County agencies. Government bodies must respond within 5 business days and can extend that by 10 days with written notice.
To get a police incident report or arrest record from Waterford Township, write a FOIA request to the Waterford Township Police Department at 5150 Civic Center Dr. Include the incident date, the subject's name, and any report number you have. Standard FOIA fees may apply under MCL 15.234 for labor time and copying costs. Call (248) 674-0351 before submitting to confirm the current process and expected fees.
For a statewide criminal history, submit a request to the Michigan State Police through the FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. MSP collects data from all agencies across Michigan, so the statewide record is often more complete than what a single local department holds. The process involves submitting a form, a photo ID, and the applicable fee.
Note: MCL 15.243 permits agencies to withhold records in certain circumstances. Active investigations, confidential sources, and materials that could harm law enforcement operations may be denied. Juvenile criminal records are not public under Michigan law.
Expungement and Legal Help in Waterford Township
Michigan's expungement law at MCL 780.621 allows people with qualifying criminal records to petition the court to set aside those records. The 2021 Clean Slate Act expanded eligibility and added automatic expungement for some low-level offenses after a waiting period. Waterford Township residents with older convictions should check whether they qualify under the updated rules.
Oakland County has legal aid resources, and metro Detroit nonprofits run occasional expungement clinics that serve Waterford Township residents. The Michigan Legal Help portal at courts.michigan.gov has self-help guides and court forms for filing an expungement petition on your own. A lawyer is not required, but it helps when the record involves multiple charges or felonies.
Michigan's eFiling system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov allows you to file court documents online, including expungement petitions. That saves a trip to the courthouse for Waterford Township residents whose cases are in the 51st District Court or the 6th Circuit in Pontiac.
Michigan's eFiling portal at mifile.courts.michigan.gov lets Waterford Township residents submit court documents online, including expungement petitions tied to Oakland County cases.
Oakland County Criminal Records
Waterford Township is part of Oakland County. Felony cases go to the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac, and the county clerk keeps the official court archive. For full county court details, clerk contact information, and how to request certified copies of records, visit the Oakland County criminal records page.
Nearby Oakland County Cities
Waterford Township shares Oakland County with several other cities that have criminal record pages. All use the same 6th Circuit Court for felony cases.