Crawford County Felony Records

Crawford County felony records are maintained at the 46th Circuit Court in Grayling. This court handles all felony criminal cases filed in the county. You can search online through the Crawford County case records portal or through MiCOURT, the statewide system. The county clerk and sheriff's office both hold records useful for felony case research. Case files typically include charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and the full register of actions from start to finish.

46th Circuit Court Felony Records

The 46th Circuit Court serves Crawford County together with Kalkaska and Otsego Counties. All felony criminal matters filed in Crawford County go through this court. The court is located in Grayling at 200 West Michigan Ave. Felony cases move from arraignment to preliminary exam, then to circuit court for trial or plea proceedings. The full case file stays on record at the courthouse.

Circuit court records are public in most cases. The register of actions for each case lists every event, filing, and court date in order. You can get copies of charging documents, sentencing orders, and other case records through the clerk's office. Some older records may require a manual search since not all historical files are in the online system.

The county clerk's office manages access to court records in Crawford County. Staff can look up cases by name or case number, make copies of documents, and help you submit a FOIA request if needed. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call ahead before visiting to confirm current hours and copy fees.

How to Search Crawford County Felony Records

Crawford County offers online case search access for circuit, district, and probate court records. You can look up cases by name or case year, number, and county through the county's online portal. This is a good first stop when you know you are looking for a Crawford County case specifically. The system shows case status, parties, and basic filing information.

For broader statewide searches, use MiCOURT, the Michigan Supreme Court's public case search tool. MiCOURT lets you search by name or case number across Michigan counties. It is free and available at any time. The register of actions for each case shows what happened at every court date and what documents were filed.

If you need a background check report tied to a person, ICHAT is the tool to use. Run by the Michigan State Police, ICHAT costs $10 per search and returns a statewide criminal history report. The report covers convictions from all Michigan counties, including Crawford. It shows offense type, conviction date, and sentence information. ICHAT does not show pending cases, only convictions on record.

For arrest records or law enforcement documents, contact the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. They handle FOIA requests for police reports and other law enforcement records. These are separate from court records held by the clerk's office.

What Crawford County Felony Records Contain

A felony case file in Crawford County holds everything from first filing to final order. The file begins with the complaint or information laying out the charges. Arrest warrants, bond orders, and arraignment records are part of it too. As the case moves forward, the file grows to include preliminary exam records, motions, and hearing notes. The register of actions tracks every step in date order.

Sentencing documents are among the most requested records. They show what offense the person was convicted of, the sentence handed down, and any conditions of probation or parole. Presentence investigation reports prepared under MCL 771.14 are part of the record but are generally restricted from public view. Most other documents in a felony file are open to the public under MCL 15.231, Michigan's Freedom of Information Act.

ICHAT reports from the state police offer a condensed view. They show offense name, statute number, conviction date, and sentence type. They do not include every document in the court file, but they are useful for a quick summary of someone's conviction record across Michigan.

Michigan Felony Records Search Resources

The Michigan Courts website is the main hub for court information across all 83 Michigan counties, including links to local circuit court sites and statewide search tools.

This page connects you to MiCOURT case search, local court contact information, and resources on how to access court records at the county level throughout Michigan.

OTIS: Michigan Offender Tracking

The Michigan Department of Corrections runs OTIS, the Offender Tracking Information System. OTIS lets you look up people who are currently incarcerated or on parole in Michigan. If a Crawford County felony conviction resulted in a prison sentence, the person's record may appear in OTIS. The system shows sentence length, offense, and current status. It is free to search and available to the public online.

OTIS does not cover people on probation or those who have completed their sentence. For those records, go back to the circuit court files through MiCOURT or the clerk's office. OTIS is best used when you know a prison sentence was imposed and want to check current custody status.

Expungement in Crawford County

Michigan allows people to petition to have felony convictions set aside under MCL 780.621. For a Crawford County conviction, you file the petition at the 46th Circuit Court in Grayling. The process requires form MC 227, a $50 fee payable to the Michigan State Police, and notice to the prosecutor's office. The court holds a hearing and decides whether to grant the set-aside.

Michigan also has an automatic expungement law under MCL 780.621g. Some felony convictions may be cleared automatically after 10 years without filing a petition. Serious violent crimes, certain sex offenses, and crimes against children do not qualify. The Michigan Legal Help website has tools to check eligibility and step-by-step guidance on filing.

FOIA and Public Records Requests

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 gives you the right to request public records from government bodies. Most felony court records are open to the public. The Crawford County Clerk handles requests for court documents. The sheriff's office takes requests for law enforcement records.

A written FOIA request must get a response within 5 business days. The agency can extend this by up to 10 days if it gives written notice. Fees for copies are set by law and should be reasonable. If a request is denied, you can appeal to the agency head and then to circuit court. For Michigan State Police criminal history records, contact MSPRecords@Michigan.gov directly.

Cities in Crawford County

Crawford County is a rural county in northern Michigan known for the Au Sable River and outdoor recreation. The county seat is Grayling. No cities in Crawford County meet the population threshold for dedicated felony records pages. All felony cases for county residents go through the 46th Circuit Court in Grayling.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Crawford County. Each has its own circuit court handling felony cases. Check the correct county if you are not sure where a case was filed.