Delta County Felony Records

Delta County felony records are maintained by the Circuit Court in Escanaba and are accessible through several state and local channels. Whether you need to look up a case by name, check on a criminal history, or request copies of court documents, this guide walks you through the available options for searching felony records in Delta County, Michigan. The county serves the Upper Peninsula and handles all felony filings for residents of the Escanaba area and surrounding communities.

Delta County Circuit Court

The Delta County Circuit Court in Escanaba handles all felony cases filed within the county. Circuit courts in Michigan have jurisdiction over felony charges, which are crimes that carry more than one year in prison. The clerk's office keeps all case files, hearing records, and final judgments. You can reach the clerk at (906) 789-5105 during normal business hours.

The court sits in Escanaba, the county seat and largest city in Delta County. Felony cases move through arraignment, preliminary examination, and trial here. If you need to check the status of a case or pull records from a past conviction, the circuit court clerk is your first stop. Staff can help you search by name or case number and tell you what copies cost.

The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has a directory of all Michigan circuit courts including Delta County. You can also use the MiCOURT case search portal to look up cases online without calling the court.

How to Search Delta County Felony Records

There are three main ways to find felony records in Delta County: the state ICHAT system, the MiCOURT online portal, and an in-person visit to the courthouse. Each method gives you access to different types of information.

The ICHAT system run by the Michigan State Police is the official state background check tool. It searches all Michigan court records for felony convictions and pending felony cases. Each search costs $10 and requires a name and date of birth. Results show felony charges, dispositions, and sentencing information for cases that were not expunged. ICHAT is the most reliable statewide source for criminal history data.

MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov gives free access to case records across Michigan courts. You can search by name or case number and see charge descriptions, court dates, and case status. Not every county has all records loaded, but MiCOURT covers a large portion of Michigan felony cases. It works well for finding newer cases.

For older cases or certified copies, go directly to the Delta County Circuit Court clerk in Escanaba. Bring the full name of the person and the approximate year of the case if you know it. The clerk can search the local system and pull paper files that may not be in online databases. Copy fees apply for each page you take home.

Note: Expunged records do not show up in ICHAT searches or public court databases. If a case was expunged under Michigan law, it will not appear in results.

Michigan State Courts and Felony Record Resources

The Michigan Courts website is the central hub for court information across all 83 counties, including Delta County. It links to court directories, SCAO forms, and the MiCOURT case search tool.

This screenshot shows the Michigan Courts portal at courts.michigan.gov, where you can find court locations, SCAO filing forms, and links to online case search tools used by Delta County and other Upper Peninsula courts.

The SCAO forms library has official court forms for filing motions, requesting records under FOIA, and other court-related tasks. These forms work for Delta County Circuit Court and any Michigan court.

What Delta County Felony Records Contain

Felony case records in Delta County include the charging document, all court filings, hearing transcripts, plea agreements, jury verdicts, and sentencing orders. The circuit court file is the complete record of everything that happened in the case from arrest through final disposition.

A typical felony record will show the defendant's name and date of birth, the specific charges filed, the date the case was opened, the name of the judge assigned, all docket entries with dates, the final verdict or plea, and the sentence imposed. If the defendant was placed on probation, the order will note its terms and length. Restitution orders and fines also appear in the file.

Public access to felony records in Michigan is governed by the court rules and the Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231. Most felony case records are public, but certain documents may be sealed by the court. Victim information and some personal data may be redacted before copies are given out.

Note: Juvenile court records and cases involving minors are generally not public and require a court order for access.

Expungement of Felony Records in Delta County

Michigan's Clean Slate law expanded expungement eligibility for many felony convictions. Under MCL 780.621, a person may apply to set aside a felony conviction after a waiting period following the completion of their sentence. The waiting period depends on the offense and whether probation was involved.

The 2021 Clean Slate amendments under MCL 780.621g also created an automatic expungement process for certain offenses. After the required number of years without a new offense, eligible convictions may be set aside automatically without filing a petition. This does not cover all felony types. Serious violent felonies, crimes against minors, and certain other categories are not eligible.

To file a petition for expungement in Delta County, you submit it to the Delta County Circuit Court clerk. The court will schedule a hearing, and the prosecutor's office can respond. Michigan Legal Help has step-by-step guides and forms for the expungement process at no cost.

Requesting Records Under FOIA in Delta County

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231 gives the public the right to request government records, including certain court and law enforcement documents. FOIA requests in Delta County go to the specific agency that holds the record.

For law enforcement arrest records, send your request to the Delta County Sheriff or the Escanaba Police Department. For court records not available online, contact the Circuit Court clerk. Agencies have five business days to respond to a FOIA request, with possible extensions. Fees may apply for copying and staff time spent pulling the records.

The SCAO offers a standard FOIA request form at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms. You can also write your own request letter that includes the specific records you want, the time period, and your contact information. Be as specific as possible to avoid delays.

Cities in Delta County

Delta County includes Escanaba and several smaller communities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. No cities in Delta County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Delta County shares borders with several other Upper Peninsula counties. Each has its own circuit court handling felony records.