Search Washtenaw County Criminal Records

Washtenaw County criminal records are kept by the 22nd Circuit Court and several district courts, all serving the Ann Arbor area. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and incident reports at 2201 Hogback Road in Ann Arbor. Free record inspection is available at both the county clerk and the trial court. This guide covers every tool and office you need to find criminal records in Washtenaw County, from online searches to in-person visits.

Washtenaw County Sheriff and Courts

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office is at 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Call (734) 971-8400 for the main line. Fax is (734) 994-2936. Dial 911 for emergencies. The sheriff handles patrol and corrections for the county. The office manages the county jail, which holds individuals arrested in Washtenaw County. Booking records are typically accessible through public inquiry at the jail.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office website covers department services, inmate lookup, and how to request law enforcement records.

The 22nd Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases in Washtenaw County. The Trial Court is at 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor. The county clerk and register office is at 200 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, phone (734) 222-6720. There are three district courts serving the county. The 14A District Court covers the Ann Arbor area. The 14B District Court serves Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township. The 15th District Court handles Ann Arbor city matters. Each district court processes misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and civil infraction cases.

How to Find Washtenaw County Criminal Records

Washtenaw County offers several free ways to access criminal records. The most direct option is free inspection at either the Washtenaw County Clerk at 200 N. Main Street or the Trial Court at 101 E. Huron Street. Both locations allow in-person inspection of public court files at no cost during business hours. Fees only apply when you want printed or certified copies.

The Washtenaw County records request page explains how to submit requests for public records, including criminal case documents from county courts.

Online, use MiCOURT Case Search to look up cases from the 22nd Circuit Court and all three district courts. MiCOURT is free and shows party names, charge information, docket entries, and case status. You can search by name or case number with no account required. For a full statewide criminal history check, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat. ICHAT is built on the repository defined in MCL 28.241 and gives you a complete picture of what the state has on file for any individual.

This Washtenaw County criminal records guide explains access methods, search tools, and what records are available to the public.

MiCOURT Case Search covers all Washtenaw County courts and lets you search felony and misdemeanor cases by name or case number for free.

FOIA Requests in Washtenaw County

Under MCL 15.231, you can request public records from Washtenaw County agencies including the sheriff, courts, and county departments. Agencies have five business days to respond. Submit your request in writing to the appropriate department. For sheriff records, use the records request page on the Washtenaw County website. This page outlines the process and any required forms.

Washtenaw County offers fee waivers for indigent requesters. File an affidavit with your request to ask for waived or reduced fees. Some records are exempt from release under MCL 15.243. This includes personal details like social security numbers, certain investigative materials, and protected personal information. If your request is denied, you can appeal in writing to the head of the agency or challenge the denial in court.

Fees for Washtenaw County Criminal Records

Free inspection is available at both the Washtenaw County Clerk at 200 N. Main Street and the Trial Court at 101 E. Huron Street. You can look at public court files at no charge during business hours. Fees apply for certified copies, complete history reports, and printed documents.

FOIA fees are based on the actual cost of search, retrieval, and duplication. Washtenaw County agencies must provide an itemized fee breakdown before charging you. Indigent individuals can request fee waivers by submitting an affidavit. ICHAT charges a per-name fee for state criminal history checks. Contact the county clerk at (734) 222-6720 for current court copy pricing.

Local Resources for Criminal Records in Washtenaw County

The Washtenaw County website connects you to all county departments. The clerk's office at 200 N. Main Street handles circuit court records and certified copies. The sheriff's office at 2201 Hogback Road handles arrest records and inmate information. The Trial Court at 101 E. Huron Street is the best place to review felony case files in person.

The Michigan Department of Corrections operates OTIS at mdocweb.state.mi.us. This free tool shows all current and former MDOC offenders, including those from Washtenaw County cases. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor lists registered sex offenders by location. For an inmate search specific to the Washtenaw County jail, check the sheriff's website. People with qualifying convictions can apply for expungement under MCL 780.621. The courts website at courts.michigan.gov has forms and procedural guides for record-related matters statewide.

Cities in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County includes Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Chelsea, and several townships. Ann Arbor is the county seat and the largest city, home to the University of Michigan.

Other communities in Washtenaw County include Ypsilanti, Saline, Chelsea, Dexter, and Milan. All criminal cases from these areas are handled by courts in Ann Arbor.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washtenaw County. Each has its own courts and sheriff handling local criminal records.