Access Lansing Felony Records
Lansing felony records are processed through two district courts and the Ingham County Circuit Court. As Michigan's state capital, Lansing is home to the Michigan State Police headquarters and several state-level criminal justice agencies, all of which play a role in how felony records are created, stored, and accessed. Whether you need to look up a case in the local court system or run a statewide criminal history check, Lansing offers multiple reliable options for searching felony records.
Lansing Overview
54A and 54B District Courts Lansing
Lansing is served by two district courts. The 54A District Court at 124 W Michigan Ave handles cases in the City of Lansing and can be reached at (517) 483-6500. The 54B District Court at 101 S Washington Sq serves other parts of Ingham County and can be reached at (517) 483-6400. Both courts handle misdemeanor criminal cases and felony preliminary examinations. For most Lansing city cases, the 54A District Court is the starting point in the felony process.
After a preliminary examination at the 54A or 54B District Court, felony cases bound over for trial go to the Ingham County Circuit Court. The district courts share a downtown Lansing location with several other city and county offices, making them convenient to reach for in-person records requests. You can search cases through the statewide MiCOURT portal or visit the clerk's office in person.
| 54A District Court | 124 W Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48933 |
|---|---|
| 54A Phone | (517) 483-6500 |
| 54B District Court | 101 S Washington Sq, Lansing, MI 48933 |
| 54B Phone | (517) 483-6400 |
Ingham County Circuit Court
The Ingham County Circuit Court at 313 W Kalamazoo St in Lansing handles all felony trials, pleas, and sentencing for Ingham County including Lansing. The clerk's office can be reached at (517) 483-6500. The court's website at courts.ingham.org provides court information, forms, and an online case search tool. The Ingham County online court record search is available at courts.ingham.org/CourtRecordSearch and lets you look up cases without calling the court.
As the county seat of Ingham County, Lansing has all major court offices within a short distance of each other. The circuit court, district courts, and prosecutor's office are all in downtown Lansing. This makes in-person access to felony records easier than in many other Michigan counties. For cases that predate online records, in-person visits to the circuit court clerk are the best way to find older files.
How to Search Lansing Felony Records
Lansing has more search options than most Michigan cities because it is the state capital and home to multiple state agencies. Here is how to use each one.
Start with the Ingham County online search at courts.ingham.org for cases filed in Lansing-area courts. This free tool covers both district and circuit court records for Ingham County. The statewide MiCOURT portal is another free option that covers courts across Michigan if you need to check records beyond Ingham County.
For a full certified criminal history, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. The ICHAT database is maintained by the MSP Criminal Justice Information Center, which is headquartered in Lansing. Each search costs $10 and requires a full name and date of birth. Results cover all Michigan felony convictions that were not expunged. Because MSP is based here, Lansing is actually the source of many statewide criminal history records.
For in-person access, visit the 54A District Court at 124 W Michigan Ave for district-level records, or the Ingham County Circuit Court at 313 W Kalamazoo for felony case files. Both offices are in downtown Lansing. Copy fees apply for each page you take with you.
What Lansing Felony Records Include
A Lansing felony case file contains the charging documents, all motions and court filings, hearing records, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentencing orders. The record traces the case from first appearance at the district court through trial and sentencing at the Ingham County Circuit Court. Post-conviction filings, appeals, and probation violations are also part of the circuit court file.
Records show the defendant's name and date of birth, the charges with Michigan statute numbers, the case number, the judge's name, every court event with its date, the final verdict or plea, and the sentence including fines, prison terms, and probation conditions. Restitution orders appear in the judgment. Some documents may be sealed. Victim information is typically redacted. Juvenile records are closed to the public under Michigan law and require a court order to access. Public access to felony records is governed by MCL 15.231 and Michigan court rules.
Michigan Courts Portal and Lansing Resources
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov is the statewide portal for court information. Because Lansing is the state capital, many of the agencies linked from this portal are located in Lansing, including the Michigan State Police ICHAT system and the State Court Administrative Office.
This screenshot shows the Michigan Courts portal at courts.michigan.gov, the central hub for Michigan court resources, including the MiCOURT case search tool used for Ingham County courts and the SCAO forms library for filing motions and FOIA requests in Lansing courts.
The Lansing Police Department at 120 W Michigan Ave, (517) 483-4600, handles police report requests and FOIA submissions for city law enforcement records. The Lansing City Clerk at 124 W Michigan Ave, (517) 483-4133, handles other city-level records. The Michigan State Police ICHAT service is accessed online at apps.michigan.gov/ichat.
Expungement of Lansing Felony Records
Lansing residents with felony convictions may qualify for expungement under Michigan's Clean Slate law. Under MCL 780.621, you can petition the Ingham County Circuit Court to set aside a felony conviction after the required waiting period. The waiting period begins when your sentence, parole, or probation ends. Eligibility depends on the offense type and how many prior convictions are on your record.
The 2021 Clean Slate amendments under MCL 780.621g added automatic expungement for some lower-level felonies. Eligible offenses may clear automatically after enough time passes without new charges. Serious violent felonies, crimes against minors, and certain other categories are excluded. Because Lansing is the state capital, several legal aid organizations operate here. Michigan Legal Help has free step-by-step guides and forms for filing an expungement petition in Ingham County.
FOIA Requests for Lansing Records
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231 allows you to request government records in Lansing. Police reports and arrest records go to the Lansing Police Department at 120 W Michigan Ave. For court records, contact the 54A District Court or the Ingham County Circuit Court clerk. The SCAO 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 copying and staff search time. Be specific in your request to avoid delays.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Michigan cities have felony records pages with local court and search details.
Ingham County Felony Records
Lansing is the county seat of Ingham County. All Lansing felony cases are processed through the Ingham County court system. For full county-level information on courts, search tools, and resources, visit the Ingham County felony records page.