Westland Criminal Records
Criminal records in Westland are held by the Westland Police Department, Wayne County courts, and the Michigan State Police. Westland is a Wayne County city with about 82,000 residents. The 18th District Court serves Westland for misdemeanor and traffic cases. Felony matters go to the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit. This page covers the main ways to search Westland criminal records, how to submit FOIA requests, and what legal resources are available to residents.
Westland Overview
Wayne County Courts and Westland Records
Westland falls under Wayne County's court system. Misdemeanor cases and local ordinance violations go to the 18th District Court, which specifically serves Westland. Felony cases are prosecuted at the 3rd Circuit Court, Wayne County's main trial court located in Detroit. The Wayne County Clerk's Office in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center handles circuit court records and can provide copies of case files upon request.
| District Court | 18th District Court (Westland) |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court | 3rd Circuit Court, Wayne County |
| Circuit Court Address | 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 |
| County Clerk Phone | (313) 224-5522 |
| Online Case Search | micourt.courts.michigan.gov |
You can use the MiCOURT portal to search Westland court cases without visiting in person. Select Wayne County from the court list, then choose the 18th District Court for misdemeanors or 3rd Circuit Court for felonies. Results include case numbers, party names, charges, and hearing dates. The portal is free and publicly accessible. For certified copies or sealed records, contact the clerk's office directly.
Westland Police Department Records
The Westland Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. They maintain arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement documents. Their station is at 36701 Ford Rd., Westland, MI 48185. The main number is (734) 722-9600. Police records can be requested under Michigan's FOIA law. Visit cityofwestland.com/police for current procedures on records requests.
The City Clerk's Office at 36600 Ford Rd., Westland, MI 48185 can be reached at (734) 467-3200. Both the police department and city clerk process public records requests under MCL 15.231. Written requests must describe the records you need. The city has 5 business days to respond. They can grant your request, deny it with a written reason, or extend the deadline for more complex requests. Standard FOIA copy fees apply.
This can be a good starting point for finding case references before submitting a formal request.Searching Westland Criminal Records
Start with ICHAT for statewide criminal history. The Michigan State Police maintains this database under MCL 28.241 and makes it available to the public at apps.michigan.gov/ichat. ICHAT returns conviction records, sentence data, and other public criminal history information for Michigan residents. The search uses a person's full name and you can narrow results by date of birth.
For court records specific to Westland, the MiCOURT case search tool is the right place. You can search by name or by case number. The system covers all Michigan trial courts and shows real-time docket updates. Westland misdemeanor cases appear under the 18th District Court. Felony cases appear under the 3rd Circuit Court, Wayne County. Both are searchable through the same portal.
The MiCOURT portal gives free public access to Westland criminal court case records across both district and circuit court levels.
The OTIS offender search at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 covers current and former state prison inmates. The Michigan sex offender registry at michigan.gov/psor is searchable by name, city, or zip code and includes Westland registrants.
FOIA in Westland
Michigan's FOIA law at MCL 15.231 applies to all public bodies, including the City of Westland. To request records, send a written request to the City Clerk or the Westland Police Department at 36701 Ford Rd. Be specific about what you want, including dates, names, and record types. The city has 5 business days to respond. If they need more time, they can extend the deadline by an additional 10 business days with written notice.
Fees for copies are set by FOIA guidelines: typically $0.10 per page for black and white copies plus actual labor costs. If you disagree with a fee estimate, you can request an itemized breakdown. If your request is denied, you can file an appeal within 180 days. MCL 15.243 lists records exempt from disclosure, including certain law enforcement investigation files and personal privacy records. Courts are not subject to FOIA; you must contact the court clerk directly for those records.
The City of Westland website has contact information for the city clerk and police department, both of which handle public records requests under Michigan FOIA.
Note: If your FOIA request involves records held by Wayne County rather than the City of Westland, submit it to the Wayne County FOIA Coordinator separately.
Legal Help for Westland Residents
Wayne County has several legal aid organizations that can help Westland residents deal with criminal record issues. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides on expungements, FOIA appeals, and understanding court records. Legal Aid and Defender Association serves Wayne County and can provide free representation to qualifying individuals. Call (313) 964-4111 for eligibility information.
Expungement is worth exploring if you have old convictions. Michigan's Clean Slate Act expanded MCL 780.621 so that more people qualify. Certain waiting periods apply after your last conviction or sentence end date. Some serious felonies cannot be expunged, but many misdemeanors and lower-level felonies now qualify. The Michigan State Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has expungement forms and step-by-step instructions for filing on your own in Wayne County.
Wayne County Criminal Records
Westland is part of Wayne County. The county page covers the 3rd Circuit Court, the county clerk's office, and all county-level resources for searching and obtaining criminal records in Wayne County.
Nearby Wayne County Cities
Other qualifying cities near Westland in Wayne County: