Ann Arbor Felony Records
Ann Arbor felony records are handled through the 15th District Court and the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. As the home of the University of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor has a well-developed court system with online search tools. Felony cases begin at the 15th District Court with a preliminary examination before moving to the circuit court for trial and sentencing. Both courts are located in downtown Ann Arbor, making in-person access straightforward.
Ann Arbor Overview
15th District Court Ann Arbor
The 15th District Court at 301 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor handles all misdemeanor criminal cases and felony preliminary examinations for the city. The court can be reached at (734) 794-6750. It shares the same building as the Ann Arbor City Clerk and other city offices. The 15th District Court is a city-operated court, which means Ann Arbor manages it rather than Washtenaw County. This setup is common in larger Michigan cities.
During a felony preliminary examination at the 15th District Court, the judge determines whether there is probable cause to send the case to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Cases that are bound over move to the circuit court for the full felony proceeding. Records from the 15th District Court are accessible through the city's court page at a2gov.org and through the statewide MiCOURT portal.
| Court | 15th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 E. Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| Phone | (734) 794-6750 |
| Court Website | a2gov.org - 15th District Court |
Washtenaw County Circuit Court
The Washtenaw County Circuit Court at 101 E Huron St in Ann Arbor handles all felony trials, pleas, and sentencing for Washtenaw County including Ann Arbor. The clerk's office can be reached at (734) 222-3270. This court is one block from the 15th District Court, so both courts are easy to reach during the same trip if needed. The circuit court handles the full felony record from arraignment through final judgment and any post-conviction proceedings.
You can search Washtenaw County circuit court records through the MiCOURT portal at no cost. Enter the person's name or case number to find charges, case status, and hearing history. The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is available for $10 if you need a certified criminal history report covering all Michigan courts.
How to Search Ann Arbor Felony Records
Ann Arbor has several reliable options for finding felony records. Each method serves a different need.
The free MiCOURT portal is a good starting point for most searches. It covers both the 15th District Court and the Washtenaw County Circuit Court and lets you search by name or case number. You can see charges, hearing dates, and case status without paying anything. For a complete Michigan-wide criminal history report, use ICHAT for $10. It searches all Michigan courts and returns results quickly based on name and date of birth.
In-person searches are available at both courts. Visit the 15th District Court at 301 E. Huron for district-level records, or the Washtenaw County Circuit Court at 101 E. Huron for felony trial records. Both courts are in downtown Ann Arbor and easy to reach. Bring a photo ID and the name or case number you are looking for. Copy fees apply for each page.
Note: The Ann Arbor City Clerk at 301 E. Huron St, phone (734) 794-6140, can assist with some city-level records requests. For police report requests, contact the Ann Arbor Police Department at 100 N 5th Ave, (734) 994-2911.
What Ann Arbor Felony Records Contain
Ann Arbor felony case files include the charging document, all motions and filings, hearing records, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentencing orders. The record is complete from the first appearance at the 15th District Court through the final judgment at the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. If there were post-conviction proceedings or appeals, those are part of the circuit court file as well.
Records typically show the defendant's name and date of birth, the charges and applicable Michigan statute, the case number, the judge's name, all court events with dates, and the final outcome. Sentences, fines, restitution, and probation terms appear in the file. Some documents may be sealed by court order. Personal victim information and certain sensitive data are typically redacted. Juvenile records are not public under Michigan law and require a court order to access.
Michigan court rules and the Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231 govern public access to these records.
Ann Arbor City Resources
The City of Ann Arbor website at a2gov.org is the main portal for city services, including the 15th District Court, the Police Department, and the City Clerk. All three offices handle records in different ways.
This screenshot shows the Ann Arbor city portal at a2gov.org, where you can find links to the 15th District Court, the Ann Arbor Police Department's records request process, and the City Clerk's office for city-level public records.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov links to all Michigan court resources and the MiCOURT case search tool for both Washtenaw County courts. SCAO forms for motions, FOIA requests, and expungement petitions are available through the SCAO forms library.
Expungement of Ann Arbor Felony Records
Ann Arbor residents with felony convictions may qualify for expungement under Michigan's Clean Slate law. MCL 780.621 allows you to petition the Washtenaw County Circuit Court to set aside a felony conviction after the required waiting period following the end of your sentence, parole, or probation. The waiting period and eligibility depend on the type of offense and your overall conviction history.
The 2021 amendments under MCL 780.621g created automatic expungement for some lower-level felony convictions after a qualifying period without new offenses. Serious violent felonies, offenses against minors, and certain other categories are excluded. To file a petition, submit it to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court clerk. Michigan Legal Help offers free guides and forms for the Ann Arbor expungement process. The University of Michigan Law School also operates legal clinics that sometimes assist with expungement matters for qualifying individuals.
FOIA Requests in Ann Arbor
Under MCL 15.231, Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, you can request records from public agencies in Ann Arbor. Police report requests go to the Ann Arbor Police Department at 100 N 5th Ave, (734) 994-2911. Court records not available online can be requested from the 15th District Court or the Washtenaw County Circuit Court clerk. The SCAO standard FOIA form is available at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms. Agencies must respond within five business days, with possible extensions. Fees may apply for copying and search time.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Michigan cities have felony records pages with local court and search information.
Washtenaw County Felony Records
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County. All Ann Arbor felony cases are processed through the Washtenaw County court system. For full county-level information on courts, search tools, and resources, visit the Washtenaw County felony records page.