Access Farmington Hills Felony Records

Farmington Hills felony records are part of the Oakland County court system. The city sits in the northwest part of Oakland County, bordered by Southfield, West Bloomfield, and Novi. Felony cases from Farmington Hills go through the 47th District Court for early proceedings and then to Oakland County Circuit Court for trial and sentencing. This page covers how to search Farmington Hills felony records, what documents the courts hold, and how to get copies through online tools or in-person visits.

47th District Court - Farmington Hills

The 47th District Court in Farmington Hills handles all misdemeanor criminal cases and the preliminary stages of felony charges for the Farmington Hills area. When a person is arrested on a felony charge in Farmington Hills, the first court appearances happen at the 47th District Court. These include the arraignment, where the judge reads the charges and sets bond, and the preliminary examination, where the court decides if there is enough evidence to move the case to circuit court.

The 47th District Court is at 31605 W Eleven Mile Road. It is physically close to the Farmington Hills Police Department and City Hall, which are also on W Eleven Mile Road. This clustering of local government offices makes it convenient to handle multiple record requests in one visit. Court records at the 47th District Court are public and accessible by request to the clerk's staff. You can search cases by name or case number at the window during business hours.

Oakland County Circuit Court

Farmington Hills felony cases that survive the preliminary examination at the 47th District Court move to Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac. The circuit court handles all felony trials, plea agreements, and sentencing hearings. It also manages appeals from district court decisions. Oakland County Circuit Court is at 1200 N Telegraph Road in Pontiac, and the clerk's office at (248) 858-0344 handles record access and copy requests.

Oakland County offers a dedicated online case search tool called Oakland Court Explorer at courtexplorer.oakgov.com. This tool covers the circuit court, district court, and probate court. For Farmington Hills felony records, the Explorer lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include case events, hearing dates, and document types. It is one of the more detailed county-level search tools available in Michigan and is often the best starting point for Oakland County felony searches.

Note: Oakland Court Explorer shows case activity but does not provide full document downloads. For complete case documents, visit the circuit court clerk's office in person or submit a written request.

How to Search Farmington Hills Felony Records

The best way to search Farmington Hills felony records depends on what you need. For a quick case check, start with Oakland Court Explorer at courtexplorer.oakgov.com. This tool is tailored for Oakland County and pulls records from both the 47th District Court and the circuit court. Enter a name to see all case activity tied to that person in Oakland County courts.

For a statewide view, use MiCOURT, Michigan's free public case search system. MiCOURT covers all 83 counties and all court levels. If you are not sure which county or court has the case, MiCOURT is the better starting point. You can search by full name or by case number.

The Michigan ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat runs a statewide criminal history search for $10. ICHAT returns conviction-level data from across Michigan, including Farmington Hills cases. It is used most often for background check purposes rather than individual case research. The results cover a broader time range but do not include pending cases or arrests without convictions.

For certified copies of felony case documents, visit the Oakland County Circuit Court clerk's office at 1200 N Telegraph Road in Pontiac. Staff can pull case files and make copies while you wait. Bring the person's full name and any case numbers you have already found through online searches.

What Farmington Hills Felony Records Include

Felony records from Farmington Hills cases span two courts. At the 47th District Court, records from the preliminary phase include the original complaint or warrant application, arraignment orders, bond conditions, and preliminary exam transcripts or dismissal orders. These documents mark the start of the case and show the initial charges as the prosecutor filed them.

At Oakland County Circuit Court, the record is more complete. It includes the formal felony information, all motions filed by both sides, hearing transcripts, the plea agreement or trial verdict, and the final sentencing order. If the defendant was placed on probation, the terms are part of the judgment. Restitution orders, fines, and any sex offender registration requirements also appear in the circuit court file.

Law enforcement records, including the police report, arrest report, and any investigative files from the Farmington Hills Police Department, are held separately. These are not part of the court file and require a FOIA request to the Farmington Hills PD at (248) 871-2600 or to the city clerk.

Oakland Court Explorer for Farmington Hills Cases

The Oakland Court Explorer is Oakland County's dedicated case search platform, which covers all Farmington Hills felony cases filed at the district and circuit court level.

Oakland Court Explorer is one of the most useful tools for searching Farmington Hills felony records and is updated regularly with case activity from Oakland County courts.

Expungement of Farmington Hills Felony Convictions

Michigan residents with Farmington Hills felony convictions may be eligible to have those records set aside under MCL 780.621. The petition process requires filing at Oakland County Circuit Court, serving copies on the Farmington Hills PD and Oakland County Prosecutor, and attending a hearing where the court considers whether to grant the expungement.

The Clean Slate law at MCL 780.621g added automatic expungement for eligible convictions. This law means some Farmington Hills felony convictions can be cleared without a petition, but only after required waiting periods and only for offenses that qualify. Crimes that resulted in death or serious injury, crimes against children, and certain other serious offenses do not qualify. The waiting period for felonies is generally seven years from the date the sentence was completed.

Michigan Legal Help provides free information on expungement eligibility and step-by-step guides for filing at Oakland County Circuit Court. Their resources are especially useful for people who are going through the process without an attorney.

FOIA Requests for Farmington Hills Records

Under MCL 15.231, the public has the right to access government records through written FOIA requests. Court case files at Oakland County Circuit Court and the 47th District Court are public records available through the clerk's offices. Law enforcement records from Farmington Hills PD require a separate FOIA request to the city.

Submit FOIA requests for police records to the Farmington Hills City Clerk at 31555 W Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336, or call (248) 871-2410. Requests should clearly describe the records you are looking for. Michigan FOIA law requires a response within five business days of receiving a written request. Responses can include the records, a denial with explanation, or a notice that more time is needed.

Nearby Cities

These nearby qualifying cities in Oakland County also have felony records pages.

Oakland County Felony Records

Farmington Hills is part of Oakland County. All felony cases are tried at Oakland County Circuit Court. Visit the county page for full details on courts, fees, and record access.