Search Ingham County Felony Records

Ingham County felony records are managed by the 30th Circuit Court in Lansing, the state capital and the largest city in the county. The county also has three district courts covering different parts of Ingham County. Between the circuit court's online case search tool, MiCOURT, and the ICHAT background check system, there are multiple ways to search Ingham County felony records. This page covers all your options, from online lookups to in-person courthouse access, plus what the records contain and how expungement works in Ingham County.

30th Circuit Court - Ingham County

The 30th Circuit Court is located at Veterans Memorial Courthouse, 313 W. Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI 48901. You can reach the court at (517) 483-6500. The court's website at courts.ingham.org has information on court divisions, specialty courts, and how to contact the court. The circuit court handles all felony criminal cases filed in Ingham County.

The county clerk is Barb Byrum. Her office is at the Mason Courthouse, 341 S. Jefferson, Mason, MI 48854, and can be reached at (517) 676-7201 or by email at clerk@ingham.org. The clerk's website is at clerk.ingham.org. Mason is the official county seat. The county clerk's office handles official record requests including certified copies of court documents.

Ingham County also has three district courts. The 54A District Court (Lansing) is at City Hall 6th Floor, 124 W. Michigan Avenue, (517) 483-4433. The 54B District Court (East Lansing) is at 101 Linden Street, East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 351-7000. The 55th District Court (Ingham County/Mason) is at 700 Buhl Drive, Mason, MI 48854, (517) 676-8400. District courts handle misdemeanors and felony preliminary examinations before cases move to circuit court.

Ingham County Court Record Search Tool

The Ingham County Courts website at courts.ingham.org/CourtRecordSearch provides an online case search for criminal records going back to 2000. For criminal case searches, a date of birth is required.

This screenshot shows the Ingham County Court Record Search at courts.ingham.org/CourtRecordSearch. Researchers can use this tool to look up Ingham County felony cases by name, with date of birth required for criminal searches. Records go back to 2000 in this database.

This local search tool is often the fastest way to look up Ingham County felony cases directly. It is separate from MiCOURT and covers cases managed by the 30th Circuit Court and related district courts. If you do not find what you need here, the statewide MiCOURT portal and ICHAT are your next options.

Ingham County Courts Website

The Ingham County Courts website covers all divisions of the 30th Circuit Court, including the specialty Veterans Treatment Court and the 54B Drug Court in East Lansing. It provides contact information for each division and general guidance on court procedures.

This screenshot shows the Ingham County Courts homepage at courts.ingham.org. From this site you can find division-specific contact information, specialty court program details, and links to the court record search portal. Felony cases in Lansing and the surrounding Ingham County area flow through this court system.

Ingham County Clerk's Office

The Ingham County Clerk website covers official record requests, certified copy procedures, and contact information for Clerk Barb Byrum at the Mason Courthouse. The clerk's office is the official custodian of court records for Ingham County.

This screenshot shows the Ingham County Clerk site at clerk.ingham.org. The clerk's office at 341 S. Jefferson in Mason handles certified copies of felony court records, FOIA requests, and official document requests for Ingham County. Call (517) 676-7201 or email clerk@ingham.org for assistance.

How to Search Ingham County Felony Records

Ingham County has more options than most Michigan counties for online felony record searches. The local court record search at courts.ingham.org/CourtRecordSearch covers cases going back to 2000. You need the person's full name and date of birth for criminal searches. This is your best first stop for Ingham County cases.

The statewide MiCOURT portal covers Ingham County cases as well and allows free name or case number searches. It is useful for confirming what you found in the local search or for cases that might be in the statewide system. Both tools are free and do not require you to contact the court directly for basic case information.

For a full criminal history check, the ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police costs $10 per search and covers all Michigan counties. Enter a full name and date of birth and you get all non-expunged felony and misdemeanor convictions in the statewide system. Ingham County convictions show up in ICHAT results along with any other Michigan county convictions.

For certified copies and in-person access to complete case files, contact the county clerk's office at (517) 676-7201 or visit the Mason Courthouse at 341 S. Jefferson. The clerk can pull any case on file and issue certified documents. Fees apply per page and for certification.

Note: The 54B Drug Court in East Lansing and the Veterans Treatment Court in Lansing create separate program records in addition to the main criminal case file. If a defendant was in one of these specialty courts, their full case history may span multiple records in the system.

Ingham County Felony Record Contents

Felony records at the 30th Circuit Court in Lansing include all filings from the case from start to finish. The record opens with the criminal information listing the charges. Everything filed after that point, including motions, orders, hearing transcripts if prepared, plea agreements, jury verdicts, and sentencing orders, becomes part of the permanent case file. Post-conviction filings like appeals or resentencing motions are added as they occur.

Typical details in an Ingham County felony record are the defendant's full name and date of birth, the criminal statute charged, the case number, the name of the assigned circuit court judge, all hearing dates with notes, the final verdict or plea, and the sentence. Probation terms, fines, and any victim restitution appear in the sentencing documents. If the defendant was sentenced to prison, the Michigan Department of Corrections receives a copy of the judgment and maintains its own offender records separate from the court file.

Ingham County is the state capital county. The Michigan State Police headquarters is located here, which means state criminal history records and ICHAT results for Lansing-area cases are closely maintained. Public access to court records is governed by the Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231. The criminal history statute at MCL 28.241 governs how Michigan compiles and reports criminal records from Ingham County and all other courts.

Expungement of Ingham County Felony Records

If you have a felony conviction from Ingham County, you may be able to have it set aside under MCL 780.621. File the petition with the 30th Circuit Court in Lansing after the required waiting period. The court sets a hearing, notifies the prosecutor, and rules on whether to grant the expungement. If the judge approves, the conviction is removed from public records and ICHAT results. The county clerk's office can assist with filing guidance.

Michigan's Clean Slate automatic expungement under MCL 780.621g may apply to some Ingham County convictions without requiring a petition. After the required clean period without a new offense, eligible convictions are set aside automatically. Violent offenses, sex crimes, and crimes against children do not qualify. Michigan Legal Help has a free eligibility tool and step-by-step guides for filing expungement petitions in Ingham County courts.

Cities in Ingham County

Ingham County includes Lansing, the state capital, along with East Lansing and Mason. Lansing is the largest city in the county and has its own page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Ingham County is bordered by these mid-Michigan counties. Each has its own circuit court for felony cases.