Find Felony Records in Allegan County

Allegan County felony records are held by the 48th Circuit Court in the city of Allegan. This court handles all felony criminal cases for the county and offers online access to its records through both its own portal and the statewide MiCOURT system. The county clerk, the 57th District Court, and the sheriff's office each hold related criminal records that can help you build a complete picture of any case filed here.

48th Circuit Court Felony Records

The 48th Circuit Court at 113 Chestnut Street in Allegan handles all felony criminal matters filed in the county. This court takes cases from arraignment through trial and sentencing. The records division of the circuit court manages public access to case files, certified copies of judgments, and other court documents. You can reach the court at (269) 673-0300.

Allegan County provides online access to circuit court records through its own records division page. Visit the 48th Circuit Court Records Division to submit a records request or learn about available documents. This local portal complements the statewide MiCOURT system and may offer more detailed access for Allegan County-specific cases.

County Clerk Bob Genetski manages the clerk's office at the same address. The clerk keeps the official court file, handles certified copy requests, and accepts FOIA submissions. His office can be reached at (269) 673-0450 or bgenetski@allegancounty.org. Probate court records, kept at (269) 673-0250, are also available on weekdays.

How to Search Allegan County Felony Records

Allegan County offers several ways to search criminal records. The county's own circuit court records page lets you request documents online. The 57th District Court, which handles preliminary felony proceedings, also has a case search available through MiCOURT for Allegan's 57th District. That page lets you look up district court actions by name or case number. District court records are relevant to felony cases because preliminary exams happen there before the case moves to circuit court.

For a statewide background check, use ICHAT through the Michigan State Police. The fee is $10 and the report covers all Michigan counties. It is a good starting point if you are not sure which county a conviction is in. The report lists offense, conviction date, and sentence type.

Sheriff Frank Baker's office at 112 Walnut Street, (269) 673-0500, handles arrest records and inmate lookups. The sheriff's office has an online inmate lookup tool and accepts records request forms available from their website. For the most complete view of a felony matter, combine the circuit court case file with the sheriff's arrest data.

Note: Allegan County's inmate and arrest lookup tools are some of the more developed county-level tools in the region, so checking the sheriff's site directly is worth the extra step.

What Allegan County Felony Records Contain

Felony case records at the 48th Circuit Court include the complete court history of a criminal matter. The initial charging document, all motions and responses, hearing notices, plea agreements, and final judgment orders are part of the case file. The register of actions gives a date-stamped list of every event in the case from filing to close.

Sentencing information is often the most sought-after part of a felony record. The judgment of sentence states the offense, the sentence imposed, and any conditions like probation or restitution. Presentence investigation reports under MCL 771.14 are generally not public, but the sentencing order itself is open. Certified copies of judgments are available from the clerk's office for a per-page fee plus a certification charge.

ICHAT reports from the Michigan State Police give a condensed version of the conviction record. They include the statute violated, case disposition, and sentence summary. They pull from statewide submissions, so some older Allegan County records may not appear if they were not submitted electronically.

Michigan Courts and Allegan County Resources

The Michigan Courts website connects users to statewide search tools and court information for all 83 counties, including Allegan.

From this site you can reach MiCOURT, the SCAO forms library, and additional resources for researching criminal cases across Michigan.

Expungement in Allegan County

Michigan law gives people with felony convictions the chance to have their records set aside. Under MCL 780.621, you petition the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan. You fill out form MC 227, pay a $50 fee to the Michigan State Police, and serve the county prosecutor with notice. The court sets a hearing where a judge decides whether to grant the expungement based on the factors in the statute.

Michigan's Clean Slate law under MCL 780.621g provides automatic expungement for certain eligible felonies after a 10-year wait. You do not have to file a petition for this type. Not all felonies qualify, so check your specific conviction. The Michigan Legal Help website is a free resource that helps you determine eligibility and navigate the process.

FOIA and Public Access to Records

Under MCL 15.231, the public has the right to request records from Michigan government agencies. For Allegan County, court records go through the clerk's office. Sheriff's records go to the Allegan County Sheriff's Office at 112 Walnut Street. Written FOIA requests must get a response within 5 business days. The agency can extend by 10 days with written notice. Fees must be reasonable and itemized. Denials must state the legal basis for withholding the record.

For SCAO forms used in criminal matters, visit the Michigan Courts SCAO forms page. These standard forms are used across all Michigan counties for filings, motions, and expungement petitions.

Cities in Allegan County

Allegan County includes the city of Allegan as its county seat along with several smaller communities. No cities in Allegan County reach the population threshold required for a dedicated felony records page. Felony cases from all cities and townships in this county are handled at the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan.

Nearby Counties

Allegan County borders several other southwest Michigan counties. Each county has its own circuit court and records office for felony cases.