Cass County Criminal Records

Cass County felony records are kept at the 43rd Circuit Court in Cassopolis, which handles all felony criminal matters filed in the county including criminal cases, domestic relations, PPOs, and juvenile matters. The court file for each case is public unless sealed, and you can search cases online through MiCOURT or the court's own portal, run a statewide background check through ICHAT, or visit the clerk's office at 120 N Broadway in Cassopolis. This guide covers all the ways to find and access felony records in Cass County, Michigan.

43rd Circuit Court Felony Records

The 43rd Circuit Court handles all felony criminal matters filed in Cass County. The court has jurisdiction over criminal cases, domestic relations matters, personal protection orders, and juvenile cases. All felony charges go through the circuit court from arraignment to sentencing. The full case file for each matter is part of the public record unless the court seals it.

The court is located at 120 N Broadway, Suite 123, in Cassopolis. You can reach the clerk at (269) 445-4464 or by fax at (269) 445-4406. Email goes to monicam@cassco.org. The court also has a website at casscourtsmi.org where you can find additional information about the court's services and contact details. Staff at the clerk's office can help locate case files, make copies of records, and take FOIA requests for court documents.

Cass County operates a Mental Health Court through the Community Mental Health of South Michigan (CMHC) and also runs a Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program (SSSPP). These specialty court programs handle certain cases differently. If you are looking for records tied to a specialty court case, let the clerk's office know when you call. They can point you to the right file location.

How to Search Cass County Felony Records

Start at MiCOURT, the statewide case search system run by the Michigan Supreme Court. You can search by full name or case number. Results show the register of actions for each case, which is a dated list of every filing, hearing, and court event. MiCOURT is free, available 24 hours a day, and covers all Michigan courts including the 43rd Circuit Court in Cassopolis. It is the quickest way to check whether a case exists and get a summary of what happened.

For a background check tied to a named person, use ICHAT, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool from the Michigan State Police. A search costs $10 and returns a statewide criminal history report. ICHAT draws from conviction records in all 83 Michigan counties, so any Cass County felony conviction on file will appear. The report shows offense type, statute, disposition date, and sentence details.

To visit in person, go to the clerk's office at 120 N Broadway, Suite 123 in Cassopolis. Bring a name or case number. Staff can pull files and make copies. The Cass County Sheriff's Office handles FOIA requests for arrest records and law enforcement documents. For state corrections records, use OTIS, the Michigan Department of Corrections' Offender Tracking Information System, which covers people who have served time in state prison.

What Cass County Felony Records Contain

A felony case file at the 43rd Circuit Court holds the full record of a criminal matter. The file starts with the complaint or criminal information laying out the charges. Arrest warrant details, arraignment notes, and preliminary exam records come next. The file grows over time to include motions, plea agreements, and hearing transcripts. The register of actions provides a full timeline of every court event from start to finish.

Sentencing records are often what people most want to find. They show the offense of conviction, the sentence imposed, any prison or jail time, probation terms, and fines ordered. Presentence investigation reports prepared under MCL 771.14 are part of the case record but are generally restricted from public view unless a court orders otherwise. Other documents are open to the public under MCL 15.231, Michigan's Freedom of Information Act.

ICHAT reports from the Michigan State Police provide a quick summary. They include conviction type, statute, date, and sentence. They do not have the full detail of a circuit court case file, but they are a reliable way to verify a statewide conviction record quickly.

Michigan Felony Records Search Resources

The Michigan Courts website links to resources and search tools across all 83 counties, including MiCOURT and information on how records are maintained at the local court level.

This statewide portal connects you to MiCOURT for online case lookups and provides links to individual circuit court sites, including the 43rd Circuit Court, where local records and forms can be found.

Expungement in Cass County

Michigan law allows eligible people to petition to set aside a felony conviction. Under MCL 780.621, you file the petition with the circuit court where the conviction was entered. For Cass County convictions, that is the 43rd Circuit Court in Cassopolis. The process requires form MC 227, a $50 fee to the Michigan State Police, and notice to the county prosecutor. The court holds a hearing before deciding whether to grant the petition.

Michigan's automatic expungement law under MCL 780.621g may clear some eligible felonies automatically after 10 years. Violent crimes, crimes against children, and certain other categories do not qualify. The Michigan Legal Help website has tools to check eligibility and guides for filing a petition if automatic expungement does not apply to your situation.

FOIA and Public Records Requests

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 gives the public the right to request records from government bodies. Most felony case records are public. The county clerk takes FOIA requests for court documents. The sheriff's office handles requests for arrest reports and other law enforcement records.

Agencies must respond within 5 business days of getting a written request and can extend by up to 10 days with written notice. Copy fees must be reasonable under state law. A denied request can be appealed. For Michigan State Police criminal history records, direct requests to MSPRecords@Michigan.gov. Records not yet in digital form may require extra time and possibly an in-person visit to retrieve.

Cities in Cass County

Cass County is a rural county in southwest Michigan near the Indiana border. The county seat is Cassopolis. No cities in Cass County meet the population threshold for dedicated felony records pages on this site. All felony cases for county residents go through the 43rd Circuit Court in Cassopolis.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cass County. Each has its own circuit court. Check the right county if you are unsure where a case was filed.