Lenawee County Criminal Records
Lenawee County criminal records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the County Clerk in Adrian, Michigan. The 39th Circuit Court and 2nd District Court handle criminal cases in this southeast Michigan county. The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office has its own website with records services, and the statewide Michigan ICHAT system and MiCOURT case search cover most search needs. This page explains each way to find criminal records in Lenawee County, whether you're looking for an arrest, a court case, or inmate status.
Lenawee County Overview
Lenawee County Sheriff and Courts
The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office is at 405 N. Winter Street, Adrian, MI 49221. Call (517) 263-0524 for general inquiries or fax (517) 264-5220. The Sheriff maintains arrest records, jail intake logs, and other law enforcement documents. Visit lenawee.mi.us/171/Sheriffs-Office to see current services, inmate information, and how to submit records requests. The Sheriff is one of the key stops for anyone researching criminal activity in Lenawee County.
The County Clerk is at 301 N. Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221, which is also the courthouse address. Call (517) 264-4590. The Clerk manages case files for the 39th Circuit Court (felonies) and the 2nd District Court (misdemeanors and civil cases). You can request copies in person during business hours or by written request. The Lenawee County government site at lenawee.mi.us has a full directory of county departments and services.
| Sheriff's Office | 405 N. Winter St., Adrian, MI 49221 |
|---|---|
| Sheriff Phone | (517) 263-0524 |
| Sheriff Fax | (517) 264-5220 |
| County Clerk | 301 N. Main St., Adrian, MI 49221 |
| Clerk Phone | (517) 264-4590 |
| Courts | 39th Circuit Court, 2nd District Court |
| Sheriff Website | lenawee.mi.us/171/Sheriffs-Office |
The Lenawee County Sheriff's website is one of the more detailed county sheriff sites in Michigan. The screenshot below shows what you'll find there when looking for criminal records and inmate information.
The Lenawee County government website provides access to all county departments. The screenshot below shows the main portal where you can find contact forms and department directories.
Searching Lenawee County Criminal Records
The Michigan State Police ICHAT tool at apps.michigan.gov/ichat is the primary option for a full criminal background check in Lenawee County. ICHAT searches the state's criminal history repository under MCL 28.241 and returns conviction records from any Michigan county. The per-name search fee is modest. Results come back fast and reflect the official state database.
For court-level case details, use MiCOURT Case Search. This is free and covers Lenawee County cases filed in the 39th Circuit and 2nd District Courts. Search by name or case number to see charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and current case status. No account is needed.
Use it as a third check after ICHAT and MiCOURT.
Note: ICHAT and MiCOURT pull from different databases, so checking both gives you a more complete picture of a person's Lenawee County criminal history.
FOIA Requests in Lenawee County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231 gives you the right to request records from any Lenawee County department. Send a written FOIA request to the office that holds the records you need. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement records; the County Clerk handles court files. Be specific about what you want, including names, dates, and case identifiers. The county must respond within 5 business days. Certain records are exempt under MCL 15.243, such as active investigation materials or records that would interfere with ongoing law enforcement.
Michigan State Police records are requested separately through michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. This covers MSP investigative reports and other files not shown on ICHAT. Standard FOIA fees apply per the statute's rate schedule. If your request will cost over $50 to fulfill, expect a deposit request before processing begins.
Fees for Lenawee County Records
Standard Michigan FOIA fees apply in Lenawee County. You pay a per-page copy charge, actual labor costs for large or complex requests, and postage for mailed records. The Sheriff and Clerk can estimate costs before you commit. ICHAT charges a small fee per name search. Court-certified copies from the County Clerk are priced per the Michigan Supreme Court's rules. MiCOURT searches are always free. Call ahead to confirm current rates before submitting.
Local Resources for Lenawee County Records
The OTIS offender search at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 covers all current Michigan Department of Corrections inmates, including those from Lenawee County. This is free and updated regularly. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor allows searches by name, county, and zip to find registered offenders in the Adrian area and throughout the county.
For those looking to clear a Lenawee County criminal record, MCL 780.621 sets the eligibility rules. Petitions must be filed in the court that handled the original case. For felony convictions, that's the 39th Circuit Court in Adrian. Legal aid and the Michigan courts website have guides on the expungement process and required forms.
Communities in Lenawee County
Lenawee County includes several cities and townships. Adrian is the county seat and largest city. Tecumseh, Blissfield, Morenci, and Hudson are other communities in the county. None of these reach the qualifying population threshold for dedicated city pages on this site. Criminal records for all Lenawee County communities go through the county offices in Adrian.
Nearby Counties
Lenawee County is in southeast Michigan near the Ohio border. Check the correct county for cases that may have been filed near a county line.