Clare County Felony Records Search

Clare County felony records are filed and maintained at the Clare County Circuit Court in Harrison, where all felony criminal matters for the county are handled from first appearance through sentencing. The court's records are public unless sealed, and you can search cases online through MiCOURT, request a statewide criminal history through ICHAT, or visit the clerk's office in person. The county clerk can be reached at (989) 539-7131. This page covers all the main ways to find and access felony records in Clare County, Michigan.

Clare County Circuit Court Felony Records

The Clare County Circuit Court in Harrison handles all felony criminal matters filed in the county. All felony charges go through the circuit court, beginning with a preliminary examination at the district court level before moving up to circuit court for full proceedings. The circuit court holds the complete file for each case, which is open to the public unless the court seals it by written order.

The clerk's office in Harrison is the primary point of contact for accessing court records. You can reach the clerk at (989) 539-7131. Staff can help you find a specific case file, get certified copies of documents, and take FOIA requests for court records. If you are unsure whether a case is in Clare County or an adjacent county, a quick search in MiCOURT will show you the county and court level where the case was filed.

Clare County is a mid-Michigan county that sees a mix of rural property crimes, drug cases, and other matters that generate felony charges. The circuit court courthouse in Harrison is where all such cases are resolved. The county sheriff's office handles law enforcement records separately from the court records. If you need arrest reports or incident reports, contact the sheriff's office directly rather than the clerk's office.

How to Search Clare County Felony Records

Start at MiCOURT, the Michigan Supreme Court's free statewide case search system. 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 order. MiCOURT is available at any time and covers both the circuit court and district court for Clare County. It is the quickest and easiest first step for any felony records search.

For a background check on a named individual, use ICHAT, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool from the Michigan State Police. Each search costs $10 and returns a statewide criminal history report. ICHAT draws from conviction records in all 83 Michigan counties. Any Clare County felony conviction in the system will show up in results along with the offense, statute, date, and sentence.

To access records in person, go to the clerk's office in Harrison. Call (989) 539-7131 ahead of your visit to confirm hours and check whether the record you need is available. Bring a name or case number. Staff can pull files and make copies. For law enforcement records such as arrest reports, submit a FOIA request to the Clare County Sheriff's Office. 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 Clare County Felony Records Contain

A felony case file at the Clare County Circuit Court holds the full record of a criminal matter. The file starts with the complaint or criminal information that sets out the charges. Arrest warrant details, arraignment notes, and preliminary exam records follow. As the case moves through the court, the file adds motions, plea agreements, and hearing notes. The register of actions gives a complete date-by-date account of every court step from charge to final disposition.

Sentencing records are often what people need most. They show the offense of conviction, the sentence imposed, any jail or prison time, probation conditions, and fines. Presentence investigation reports prepared under MCL 771.14 are part of the record but are generally not public unless a court orders otherwise. Most other case documents are open under MCL 15.231, Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. Certified copies of court orders are available from the clerk for a fee.

ICHAT reports from the Michigan State Police offer a quick statewide summary. They include offense type, statute, date, and sentence. They do not carry the same level of detail as a full court file, but they provide a fast and reliable way to verify a conviction record without visiting the courthouse.

Michigan Felony Records Search Resources

The Michigan Courts website connects you to court resources across all 83 Michigan counties, including the MiCOURT search tool and information on how each local court handles public records access.

This statewide portal provides access to MiCOURT for online case lookups and links to individual circuit court websites where local records and forms are available.

Expungement in Clare County

Michigan law gives eligible people the right to petition to have a felony conviction removed from their public record. Under MCL 780.621, you file the petition at the circuit court where the conviction was entered. For Clare County convictions, that is the Clare County Circuit Court in Harrison. 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 and then decides whether to grant the petition.

Michigan's automatic expungement law under MCL 780.621g may set aside certain eligible felony convictions automatically after 10 years. Violent crimes, crimes against minors, and other categories are excluded. The Michigan Legal Help website has a tool to check whether a conviction qualifies and provides step-by-step guides for filing a petition on your own.

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 handles FOIA requests for court records. The sheriff's office takes requests for arrest reports and other law enforcement records.

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

Cities in Clare County

Clare County is a rural mid-Michigan county. The county seat is Harrison. No cities in Clare County meet the population threshold for dedicated felony records pages on this site. All felony cases for county residents go through the Clare County Circuit Court in Harrison.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clare County in central Michigan. Each has its own circuit court for felony cases. Check the right county if you are unsure where a case was filed.