Criminal records in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, can be accessed through several channels. GrandTraverseCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Beyond that, the county's official court systems, the Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office, the Sheriff's Office, and state-level repositories all serve as access points for criminal record searches. Some records are available online at no cost, while others require a written request or an in-person visit.
How to Search Criminal Records in Grand Traverse
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Grand Traverse County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose, but having the person's full legal name is essential. A date of birth or case number will narrow results significantly.
Online Search Options
- GrandTraverseCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information, including criminal cases filed in Grand Traverse County.
- Grand Traverse County Civil & Criminal Records Search — The County Clerk provides an online search tool for circuit court criminal and civil cases. Note that this search may not show all cases as the office works to comply with Michigan Public Act 193 of 2020 (the Clean Slate law). If a record does not appear, contact the Clerk's Office directly.
- Criminal Records Database — An additional county-hosted database for searching criminal records maintained by the Clerk's Office.
- MiCOURT Case Search — The statewide court case search portal maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court. This tool covers cases across Michigan courts, including the 13th Circuit Court and the 86th District Court in Grand Traverse County. Note that the 86th District Court has indicated limited access to criminal cases on its public website during a records reconciliation process.
- Michigan ICHAT — The Internet Criminal History Access Tool, run by the Michigan State Police, searches public criminal history records statewide. A fee applies per search.
- OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) — Search for individuals currently or previously under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Corrections.
In Person
Visit the Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office, which serves as the clerk for the 13th Circuit Court. Computer terminals are available in the Court Section for the public to review court records at no charge.
By Mail or Written Request
- County Clerk: Submit a written records request by mail, email, or online form. Include the individual's full name, date of birth if known, and the type of record you need.
- Sheriff's Office (FOIA): For law enforcement records such as incident reports or arrest records, submit a request under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act using the online FOIA request form. Mail requests to 851 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686.
- Michigan State Police: For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request through ICHAT online or by mail to the Criminal Justice Information Center.
What You Need to Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
- Court type — circuit court (felonies) or district court (misdemeanors)
Search Grand Traverse Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Michigan courts use a standardized case number format:
- Example: 2024-XXXXXX-FH
- Year: The first four digits represent the year the case was filed.
- Sequence number: The next set of digits is the sequential filing number assigned by the court.
- Case type code: The two-letter suffix identifies the case type. Common criminal codes include:
- FH — Felony (high court / circuit court)
- FY — Felony (district court level, before bind-over)
- SM — Misdemeanor
- SD — Drunk driving / OWI offenses
Enter the full case number into the county's criminal records search or the MiCOURT Case Search portal. Circuit court felony cases (FH) are handled by the 13th Circuit Court. Misdemeanor and preliminary felony matters go through the 86th District Court.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Grand Traverse
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) section cited in the charging document (e.g., MCL 750.110a for home invasion) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or civil infraction |
| Original vs. amended charges | Charges may be amended through plea agreements or prosecutorial discretion; both the original and amended charges typically appear in the record |
| Count number | Each distinct charge is numbered separately within a case |
Case Status
- Pending: The case is open and awaiting further court action.
- Active: Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, trial in progress).
- Disposed: A final outcome has been entered (conviction, dismissal, acquittal).
- Closed: All obligations fulfilled; the case is administratively complete.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary examination: In felony cases, the district court determines whether probable cause exists to bind the case over to circuit court.
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss potential resolutions, motions, and trial preparation.
- Trial: Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented.
- Sentencing: The judge imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review hearing: Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | Acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecution declines to pursue the case further |
| Deferred / delayed sentence | Sentencing postponed; charges may be dismissed upon successful completion of conditions (common under MCL 771.1) |
| Bound over | Felony case transferred from district court to circuit court after preliminary examination |
Some records may not appear in public searches due to Michigan's records management standards or expungement under Public Act 193 of 2020.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Grand Traverse
Certified copies of criminal court records are issued by the Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office, which maintains files for the 13th Circuit Court.
How to Submit a Request
- Online or email: Use the Clerk's records request page to submit your request electronically.
- By mail: Send a written request to the address below. Include the case number or the individual's full name and date of birth.
- In person: Visit the Clerk's Office during business hours.
What You Need
- Full name of the party
- Case number (if available)
- Government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment for applicable fees
For Law Enforcement Records
Arrest reports, incident reports, and booking records are maintained by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office. Submit a FOIA request using the online FOIA form or by mail.
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive Michigan criminal history report, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. This searches records maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Center across all Michigan jurisdictions.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Grand Traverse
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $10 + $1 per page | County Clerk records request page |
| ICHAT criminal history search | $10 per search | Michigan State Police; fee set by statute |
| FOIA request (Sheriff's Office) | Varies — based on labor, copying, and mailing costs per MCL Act 442 of 1976 | First $20 of labor waived if not in the commercial interest of the requester |
| Jail booking fee | $12 | Per Public Act 121 (MCL 801.4b) |
| In-person court record viewing (public terminal) | Free | Available at the County Clerk's Court Section |
| Online case search (county or MiCOURT) | Free | Informational use only; does not replace official records |
Processing Times
- Online searches: Immediate results.
- Certified copy requests (mail or email): Processing and mail times vary. Allow several business days for the Clerk's Office to process the request, plus mailing time.
- FOIA requests: Under Michigan law, agencies must respond within five business days, with a possible 10-business-day extension.
- ICHAT: Results are typically returned immediately online.
Fees for circuit court filings and copies are set by Michigan statute and the Michigan Supreme Court. Contact the Clerk's Office directly to confirm current fees before submitting payment.