Gladwin County Criminal Records Lookup
Gladwin County criminal records are maintained by the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office on West Cedar Avenue and through the 55th Circuit Court. The county has a detailed fee schedule for common record services, and the Sheriff's Office lobby is open on a limited schedule. Whether you need a police report, court case records, or a background check on a Gladwin County resident, this page explains each avenue and what to expect from the process.
Gladwin County Overview
Gladwin County Sheriff and 55th Circuit Court
Sheriff Michael Shea leads the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office. Undersheriff Raymond Hartwell and Lieutenant Troy Rabidue assist. The office is at 501 West Cedar Avenue in Gladwin. The main line for all calls is 989.426.9284. The jail has a separate line at 989.426.7121, and civil process can be reached at 989.426.6908. Fax is 989.426.1173.
The Sheriff's Office lobby has limited hours. It is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and again from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is closed Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you need to visit in person, plan around these windows. Phone and fax requests can be made during regular business hours even if the lobby is closed.
The 55th Circuit Court is presided over by Hon. Thomas R. Evans, who also serves as the Probate Court judge. The 80th District Court has Magistrate Hon. John J. Vannest. All three courts serve Gladwin County and may hold criminal records depending on the level of the charge.
| Sheriff | Michael Shea |
|---|---|
| Address | 501 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624 |
| Main Phone | 989.426.9284 |
| Jail | 989.426.7121 |
| Civil Process | 989.426.6908 |
| Fax | 989.426.1173 |
| Lobby Hours | Tue/Thu/Fri: 9-11 AM, 1-3 PM. Closed Mon/Wed/Sat/Sun. |
| Circuit Court Judge | Hon. Thomas R. Evans (55th Circuit) |
| District Court Magistrate | Hon. John J. Vannest (80th District) |
The Michigan Sheriffs' Association lists the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office, providing a secondary contact reference for the office and its services.
How to Search Gladwin County Criminal Records
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the main online option for searching criminal records in Gladwin County. ICHAT compiles criminal history from courts and law enforcement agencies statewide, including the 55th Circuit Court and 80th District Court in Gladwin. Search by name at apps.michigan.gov/ichat. There is a small per-search fee. Results include felony and misdemeanor convictions as well as some pending charges.
For court case details, use MiCOURT Case Search at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. You can look up Gladwin County cases by name or case number. The system shows docket entries, case status, and charge information for circuit, district, and probate courts. Gladwin County does not run its own standalone online criminal database, so MiCOURT is the best free court case lookup tool available.
If you need a physical copy of a police report or court document, contact the appropriate office. Under MCL 15.231, Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, most public records are available on request. Some may be withheld under the exemptions in MCL 15.243, such as records related to active criminal investigations or juvenile cases.
FOIA Requests for Gladwin County Records
To request records from the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office or County Clerk, submit a written FOIA request to the appropriate office. Standard Michigan FOIA procedures apply. The office has five business days to respond. If more time is needed, the office must notify you in writing. Fees vary, so contact the office before you submit a request if you want a cost estimate. You can also pay some fees online through GovPayNOW at www.GovPayNOW.com or by calling 888.604.7888. Use location code A000HZ for civil paper service fees and code A000HY for all other fees.
The Gladwin County government website at http://www.gladwincounty-mi.gov/ provides general county information and can direct you to the right department for your request. For MSP records from state-level investigations, use the separate MSP FOIA portal. State police records are not part of the county's FOIA process and must be requested separately.
Note: Because the Sheriff's Office lobby has limited hours, it is best to call 989.426.9284 before visiting to confirm your visit falls within an open window.
Gladwin County Criminal Record Fees
Gladwin County has a published fee schedule for common services. Police reports cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Paper service (civil process) is a $26 flat fee plus mileage. Fingerprinting for a Concealed Pistol License costs $15. All other non-criminal fingerprint services cost $65. Notary service is $5 per page. Pistol purchase permits are $5 plus any notary fee. Jail room and board is charged at $10 per day if applicable.
Online payments for some fees are accepted through GovPayNOW. Court copy fees for circuit and district court documents are set by the state and may differ from the county's FOIA fee schedule. Call the 55th Circuit Court Clerk directly for current certified copy pricing. ICHAT searches are paid online at the time of the search at a rate set by the Michigan State Police.
Statewide Resources for Gladwin County Records
The Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS system shows the location and status of anyone in state prison or on parole from Gladwin County. Search for free at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. Results include offense, facility, and expected release date. This is the right tool if you know someone from Gladwin County is serving a state sentence and you need to confirm their location.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor covers all 83 Michigan counties, including Gladwin. Search by name, address, or zip code to find registered offenders in the county. The registry is maintained by the Michigan State Police and updated regularly. Under MCL 28.241, many sex offense convictions carry lifetime registration requirements in Michigan.
Michigan's criminal record expungement law at MCL 780.621 expanded in 2021 to make more people eligible. Gladwin County residents who want to set aside an old criminal record can petition the 55th Circuit Court. The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has forms and guides for the expungement process.
OTIS is the fastest way to find anyone from Gladwin County currently serving time with Michigan's Department of Corrections. The search is free and available to the public.
Communities in Gladwin County
Gladwin is the county seat and main city in Gladwin County. Other communities include Beaverton and Gladwin Township. None meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All felony criminal cases for Gladwin County residents go through the 55th Circuit Court, and misdemeanor cases go through the 80th District Court, both based in Gladwin.
Nearby Counties
Gladwin County is in central Michigan. These surrounding counties each have their own courts and criminal record processes.