Search Dickinson County Criminal Records
Dickinson County criminal records are maintained by the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office in Iron Mountain and through the 41st Circuit Court. Whether you need arrest records, court case information, or a background check on a Dickinson County resident, this guide covers all available sources. The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the fastest way to search criminal history for anyone with ties to Dickinson County.
Dickinson County Overview
Dickinson County Sheriff and 41st Circuit Court
Sheriff Aaron Rochon leads the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, which operates from Iron Mountain in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The office handles road patrol, corrections, and narcotics enforcement throughout the county. One notable program is the UPSET team, which stands for the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team. UPSET is a multi-agency task force focused on drug crimes across the U.P. If a case involved UPSET, records may exist with multiple agencies.
Dickinson County is part of the 41st Circuit Court system. The circuit court handles all felony criminal cases filed in the county. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time. That time zone matters if you are calling from the Lower Peninsula, since Dickinson County observes Central time, not Eastern. The county also has a district court for misdemeanors and traffic matters.
| Sheriff | Aaron Rochon |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | PO Box 609, Iron Mountain, MI 49801 |
| Phone | 906-774-6262 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Central) |
| Sheriff Website | dickinsoncountymi.gov |
| County Government | dickinsoncountymi.gov |
| Michigan Courts | courts.michigan.gov |
The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office is also listed through the Michigan Sheriffs' Association, which provides contact details for all 83 Michigan county sheriffs.
The Dickinson County Sheriff's website is the starting point for local law enforcement records, jail information, and FOIA contact details.
The Dickinson County Government site links to all county departments, including courts, the clerk, and law enforcement offices.
Criminal Record Search Options in Dickinson County
The primary way to search Dickinson County criminal records online is through ICHAT, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool run by the Michigan State Police. ICHAT pulls from court and law enforcement data statewide. A search at apps.michigan.gov/ichat gives you felony and misdemeanor conviction records, non-conviction data where allowed, and pending charges in some cases. You pay a small fee per name search.
For court case records, use MiCOURT Case Search at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. You can find Dickinson County circuit and district court cases by party name or case number. The system shows hearing dates, case status, and charge information. It does not provide documents, but it tells you enough to request records from the clerk's office in Iron Mountain.
Dickinson County does not operate its own separate online criminal record database. If you need police reports or local arrest records not captured in state systems, you will need to submit a FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office. Under MCL 15.231, most law enforcement records are public unless an exemption applies. Under MCL 15.243, certain records may be withheld if they would interfere with an ongoing investigation.
The Michigan Sheriffs' Association directory confirms contact details for the Dickinson County Sheriff, useful if you cannot reach the office through the county website.
The Michigan Courts portal at courts.michigan.gov is the official gateway for circuit court records and links to MiCOURT case search tools covering Dickinson County.
FOIA Requests for Dickinson County Records
You can request criminal records from the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office or the County Clerk under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. Submit your request in writing to the office that holds the records you need. For police reports, go to the Sheriff's Office. For court records, contact the County Clerk. Response time is five business days under state law. Complex requests may take up to fifteen additional days if the office notifies you in writing.
The Michigan State Police also accepts FOIA requests for records held at the state level. Use the MSP FOIA portal to request state police records related to Dickinson County incidents. These records are separate from what the county holds, so you may need to file with both agencies if you want a complete picture. The MSP portal explains what types of records you can request and how to submit.
Note: Always describe the record clearly in your FOIA request, including the date, name involved, and the type of document, to avoid delays and extra fees.
Record Fees in Dickinson County
Dickinson County follows standard Michigan FOIA fee rules. Paper copies cost a set amount per sheet, and labor charges apply if locating records takes significant time. Labor is billed in 15-minute increments at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can do the job. If your estimated cost is over $50, the office may ask for a deposit before it starts. Contact the County Clerk or Sheriff's Office for the current rate schedule.
ICHAT searches through the Michigan State Police cost a per-search fee paid at the time you run the search online. Court record copies from the circuit or district court have fees set by the state. Certified copies typically cost more than uncertified ones. Call the 41st Circuit Court Clerk in Iron Mountain for the exact amounts before you visit.
Statewide Resources for Dickinson County
Michigan provides several free public tools for criminal record research. The Offender Tracking Information System, known as OTIS, is run by the Michigan Department of Corrections. It shows anyone currently incarcerated or on parole in the state, including people from Dickinson County. You can search at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 by name, MDOC number, or other identifiers. Results include offense, facility, and expected release date.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor lists registered sex offenders statewide. Dickinson County residents who meet the registration threshold appear in this database. You can search by name, address, or zip code. Registration is required by state law, and the registry is updated regularly. It is a free public resource with no login required.
Michigan also makes it possible to search court case records through the MiCOURT system. This covers Dickinson County's 41st Circuit Court as well as the district and probate courts. Criminal record expungement in Michigan is governed by MCL 780.621, which sets the rules for who can apply to have records set aside and what the process involves.
OTIS covers all Michigan correctional facilities. Use it to find anyone from Dickinson County currently serving time with the state Department of Corrections.
Communities in Dickinson County
Iron Mountain is the county seat and main city in Dickinson County. Other communities include Kingsford, Norway, and Quinnesec. None meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All criminal case filings for Dickinson County go through the Sheriff's Office and the 41st Circuit Court in Iron Mountain.
Nearby Counties
Dickinson County is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Check these neighboring counties if you are unsure which office holds the records you need.