Detroit Felony Records
Detroit felony records are accessible through the 36th District Court and the Wayne County Circuit Court, which together handle all criminal cases filed in Michigan's largest city. Whether you want to look up a case by name, check a criminal history, or get copies of court documents, Detroit has multiple search paths available. The 36th District Court is the largest district court in Michigan and handles felony preliminary examinations before cases move to the circuit court for trial and sentencing.
Detroit Overview
36th District Court Detroit
The 36th District Court at 421 Madison Street in Detroit is the starting point for all felony cases in the city. With 28 judges and 6 magistrates, it is the largest district court in Michigan. Felony preliminary examinations happen here before cases go to the Wayne County Circuit Court. The court also handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, and civil suits up to $25,000.
Records at the 36th District Court go back to 1990. You can search cases online through the court's case inquiry tool or visit the courthouse in person. Public access terminals are available on the 1st and 2nd floors Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Court staff can help you find a case by name or case number. Certified copies cost $10 each. The court can be reached at (313) 965-2200.
Some records are restricted under Michigan law. Cases handled under HYTA (Holmes Youthful Trainee Act) are not public. Drug cases dismissed under MCL 333.7411 are also restricted and will not appear in public searches. The court has a Drug Court program that may result in dismissal upon completion.
| Court | 36th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 421 Madison St, Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Phone | (313) 965-2200 |
| Fax | (313) 965-3951 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Court Website | 36thdistrictcourtmi.gov |
| Case Search | Case Inquiry and Schedule |
| Records Request | Request for Records |
Wayne County Circuit Court (3rd Circuit)
Felony cases that survive the preliminary examination at the 36th District Court move to the Wayne County Circuit Court. The 3rd Judicial Circuit sits in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice at 1441 St. Antoine in Detroit. This court handles all felony trials, plea hearings, and sentencing for cases arising in Wayne County, including Detroit. The court's criminal division can be reached at (313) 224-2500 and the main clerk at (313) 224-5257.
The 3rd Circuit Court operates an online public access system called Odyssey where you can search case records by name or case number. Visit cmspublic.3rdcc.org to search felony cases filed in Wayne County. The court's general website at 3rdcc.org has directions, forms, and information on court divisions. Walk-in access to the clerk's office is available during regular business hours.
How to Search Detroit Felony Records
Detroit residents and researchers have several ways to find felony records. The best starting point depends on what you need. Online tools work well for basic case lookups. In-person visits are better when you need certified copies or want to review a full case file.
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the official statewide criminal history database. It searches all Michigan courts for felony convictions and pending cases. Each search costs $10 and requires a full name and date of birth. Results are typically available right away. ICHAT is the most thorough tool for checking someone's felony history across the entire state, not just Detroit or Wayne County.
The MiCOURT case search portal lets you search court records for free. You can look up cases by name or case number and see charges, court dates, and case status. MiCOURT covers many Michigan courts and is a good tool for finding recent Detroit felony cases without paying the ICHAT fee. For Wayne County Circuit Court cases specifically, the Odyssey public access portal at cmspublic.3rdcc.org gives direct access to the 3rd Circuit's records.
For in-person searches, go to the 36th District Court at 421 Madison Street for misdemeanor and preliminary exam records, or to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice at 1441 St. Antoine for felony trial and sentencing records. Bring a photo ID and the name of the person you are searching. Staff can check the local system and pull files from storage. Copy fees apply for each page.
Note: Records that were expunged under Michigan law will not appear in public searches or ICHAT results.
What Detroit Felony Records Contain
A Detroit felony case file includes the charging documents, all motions and court filings, hearing transcripts, plea agreements, jury verdicts, and sentencing orders. The file is a complete record of the case from initial arraignment through final disposition and any appeals filed in the circuit court.
Court records typically show the defendant's full name and date of birth, the specific criminal charges filed, the date the case was opened, the judge assigned, each docket entry with its date and description, the final verdict or plea entered, and the sentence imposed. If restitution was ordered, the amount appears in the judgment. Probation terms and any special conditions are also listed. Some documents may be sealed by court order, and personal victim information is often redacted before copies are released to the public.
Public access to these records is governed by Michigan court rules and the Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231. Most felony case files are public records, though certain filings may be restricted. Juvenile records are not public and require a court order.
Detroit City Resources for Felony Records
The City of Detroit website provides links to city departments, including the Detroit Police Department and City Clerk, both of which handle certain public records requests related to criminal matters.
This screenshot shows the Detroit city portal at detroitmi.gov, a starting point for finding the Detroit Police Department's FOIA contacts and city-level records information alongside the court resources described on this page.
The Detroit Police Department at 1301 3rd Ave can be reached at (313) 267-4600. For FOIA requests related to police reports and arrest records, contact the department directly. The Detroit City Clerk's office at 2 Woodward Ave Suite 408, phone (313) 224-3266, handles certain city record requests as well.
Expungement of Detroit Felony Records
Michigan's Clean Slate law gives many Detroit residents a path to clearing felony convictions from their record. Under MCL 780.621, you can petition to set aside a felony conviction after meeting the waiting period that starts when your sentence, probation, or parole ends. The number of years required depends on the offense and how many prior convictions you have.
The 2021 Clean Slate amendments under MCL 780.621g added automatic expungement for some convictions. Eligible offenses may be set aside without filing a petition after the required time passes and no new offenses occur. This does not apply to serious violent felonies, crimes against minors, traffic offenses causing death or injury, and certain other categories. You must still petition the Wayne County Circuit Court for offenses that are not eligible for automatic expungement.
To file a petition in Detroit, submit it to the Wayne County Circuit Court clerk at Frank Murphy Hall of Justice. The prosecutor's office will receive notice and may respond. Michigan Legal Help has free guides and forms for the expungement process. The 36th District Court also has a Drug Court program that can lead to dismissal and expungement for qualifying drug offenses.
FOIA Requests for Detroit Records
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231 gives the public the right to request records from government agencies, including police departments and courts. In Detroit, FOIA requests for law enforcement records go to the Detroit Police Department. For court records not available through online search, contact the 36th District Court clerk or the Wayne County Circuit Court clerk directly.
Agencies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days, with possible extensions. Fees may apply for search time and copying. The SCAO offers a standard request form at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms. Write your request as specifically as possible: include the person's name, the type of record, and the approximate date range. Vague requests take longer and may cost more to fill.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Michigan cities also have felony records pages with local court and search information.
Wayne County Felony Records
Detroit is the county seat of Wayne County, and all Detroit felony cases are processed through the Wayne County court system. For full county-level information on courts, search tools, fees, and resources, visit the Wayne County felony records page.