Canton Township Felony Records
Canton Township felony records are handled through the 35th District Court and the Wayne County Circuit Court. Canton Township is one of the fastest-growing communities in Wayne County and among the largest townships in Michigan by population. Felony preliminary examinations begin at the 35th District Court in Plymouth before cases are sent to the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit. The 35th District Court serves Canton, Plymouth, and Northville, and directs criminal history searches to the Michigan State Police ICHAT system.
Canton Township Overview
35th District Court Plymouth
Canton Township is served by the 35th District Court at 660 Plymouth Road in Plymouth. The court can be reached at (734) 459-4740 and operates a website at 35thdistrictcourt.org. The 35th District Court covers Canton Township, Plymouth, and Northville, handling misdemeanor criminal cases and felony preliminary examinations for all three communities. Even though the court is located in Plymouth, it is the correct court for Canton Township felony cases.
For criminal record checks, the 35th District Court directs requests to the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. The court requires a specific case number or the full names of the parties for records requests. You can email record check inquiries to recordcheck@35thdistrictcourt.org. For cases that go beyond the district court stage, records move to the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit.
| Court | 35th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 660 Plymouth Rd, Plymouth, MI 48170 |
| Phone | (734) 459-4740 |
| Record Check Email | recordcheck@35thdistrictcourt.org |
| Court Website | 35thdistrictcourt.org |
| Jurisdiction | Canton Township, Plymouth, Northville |
Note: The 35th District Court requires a specific case number or party names for records searches. Broad or name-only searches may not be accepted at the counter. Use ICHAT for general background checks.
Wayne County Circuit Court
Felony cases from Canton Township that are bound over after the preliminary examination go to the Wayne County Circuit Court, also called the 3rd Judicial Circuit, at 1441 St. Antoine in Detroit. The main clerk line is (313) 224-5257 and the criminal division is (313) 224-2500. The Wayne County Circuit Court handles all felony trials, pleas, and sentencing for Canton Township and all other Wayne County communities. The court's website is at 3rdcc.org.
You can search Wayne County circuit court records online through the Odyssey public access portal at cmspublic.3rdcc.org. The statewide MiCOURT portal also covers Wayne County records. For in-person access, visit the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit. The drive from Canton Township to Detroit is about 30 minutes.
How to Search Canton Township Felony Records
Canton Township felony records can be found through several tools. The right method depends on how much you know about the case and what type of result you need.
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the best tool for a general criminal background check. It costs $10 per search and requires a full name and date of birth. ICHAT searches all Michigan courts and returns results for all felony convictions that were not expunged. The 35th District Court itself directs criminal history inquiries to ICHAT, so this is the primary method recommended for Canton Township record checks.
For specific case lookups, the Wayne County Circuit Court Odyssey portal at cmspublic.3rdcc.org covers felony trial and sentencing records. The free MiCOURT portal covers both the 35th District Court and the Wayne County Circuit Court. For records requests at the 35th District Court, email recordcheck@35thdistrictcourt.org with the case number or party name.
What Canton Township Felony Records Show
A Canton Township felony case file includes the criminal complaint or information, all motions and filings, hearing records, plea agreements or verdicts, and the sentencing order. The record follows the case from the first appearance at the 35th District Court through trial and final disposition at the Wayne County Circuit Court.
Records typically show the defendant's name and date of birth, the charges with the applicable Michigan statute, the case number, the date of each court event, the judge's name, the final outcome, and the sentence. Fines, restitution, and probation terms are documented. Some documents may be sealed by court order. Victim personal information is typically redacted before copies are released. Juvenile records are closed to the public under Michigan law. Public access to these records is governed by MCL 15.231 and Michigan court rules.
35th District Court Resources
The 35th District Court website at 35thdistrictcourt.org is the primary source for court information, forms, and record check procedures for Canton Township felony cases at the district court level.
This screenshot shows the 35th District Court website at 35thdistrictcourt.org, where you can find record check contact information, court forms, and the court's guidance for requesting criminal history records for Canton Township cases.
The Canton Township Police Department at 1150 S Canton Center Road, (734) 394-5400, handles police report and arrest record requests. The Canton Township Clerk at the same address, (734) 394-5120, handles other township-level records. For statewide background checks, use ICHAT at apps.michigan.gov/ichat.
Expungement of Canton Township Felony Records
Canton Township residents with felony convictions may qualify to clear their record under Michigan's Clean Slate law. MCL 780.621 allows you to petition the Wayne County Circuit Court to set aside a felony conviction after the required waiting period following the end of your sentence. The waiting period and eligibility depend on the type of offense and your full conviction history.
The 2021 Clean Slate amendments under MCL 780.621g created automatic expungement for some lower-level felony convictions. After a qualifying period without new charges, eligible offenses may clear automatically without filing a petition. Serious violent felonies, crimes against minors, and certain traffic offenses are excluded. To petition for a non-automatic expungement, file at the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit. Michigan Legal Help has free guides and forms for the process.
FOIA Requests in Canton Township
Under MCL 15.231, Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, you can request records from Canton Township public agencies. Police reports and arrest records go to the Canton Township Police Department at 1150 S Canton Center Road, (734) 394-5400. For court records, contact the 35th District Court or the Wayne County Circuit Court clerk. The SCAO standard FOIA request form is available at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms. Agencies must respond within five business days, with possible extensions. Fees may apply for search time and copying.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Michigan cities have felony records pages with local court and search information.
Wayne County Felony Records
Canton Township is in Wayne County. All Canton Township felony cases are processed through the Wayne County court system. For full county-level information on courts, search tools, and resources, visit the Wayne County felony records page.