Iosco County Felony Records
Iosco County felony records are maintained through the 23rd Circuit Court, which covers Iosco along with Alcona, Arenac, and Oscoda Counties. The county seat is Tawas City. Felony cases from Iosco County go through this multi-county circuit, and all case records are available to the public through MiCOURT or in person at the county clerk's office. Case files include charging documents, court orders, and sentencing records that make up the full history of each felony matter filed in the county.
Iosco County Overview
23rd Circuit Court and Iosco County Felony Cases
Iosco County is part of the 23rd Circuit Court, a multi-county circuit that also serves Alcona, Arenac, and Oscoda Counties. All felony criminal cases from Iosco County go through this circuit court. When a felony charge is filed in Iosco County, the case starts in district court for arraignment and preliminary examination, then moves to the circuit court level for trial or plea proceedings.
The county clerk in Tawas City is the local keeper of court records for Iosco County. The clerk's office processes public record requests, handles FOIA submissions, and can pull case files for in-person review or copy requests. Staff can search by name or case number. For law enforcement records such as arrest reports and incident records, contact the Iosco County Sheriff's Office separately, as those are not held by the clerk.
The county clerk's phone number is (989) 362-2023. Call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and any document fees. Some older records may not be available in the online systems and will require a direct request to the clerk's office.
| Circuit | 23rd Circuit Court (Alcona, Arenac, Iosco, Oscoda) |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Tawas City, MI |
| County Clerk Phone | (989) 362-2023 |
| Online Records | MiCOURT Case Search |
How to Search Iosco County Felony Records
The main online tool for searching Iosco County felony records is MiCOURT, run by the Michigan Supreme Court. MiCOURT lets you search by name, case number, or date range across Michigan. It is free to use and available at all hours. The register of actions for each case shows every filing and court event in chronological order. Filter by county to narrow results to Iosco County cases specifically.
For a statewide criminal background check, ICHAT from the Michigan State Police is the right tool. A search costs $10 and produces a conviction report covering all Michigan counties. Any Iosco County felony convictions on file with the state police will appear. The report shows offense type, conviction date, and sentence information. ICHAT covers convictions only, not pending cases.
You can also search in person at the county clerk's office in Tawas City. Bring the person's name and date of birth, or a case number if you have one. Staff can locate records and provide copies. For arrest records or police reports tied to an Iosco County felony, contact the Iosco County Sheriff's Office, as those records are handled separately from court files.
What Iosco County Felony Records Contain
A felony case file from Iosco County covers the full arc of a criminal case. The file opens with the charging document, either a complaint, information, or indictment. Arrest warrant details, arraignment notes, and bond terms are part of the file from early on. As the case moves forward, motions, hearing notes, and any plea agreement get added. The register of actions tracks every event in the case from filing to final order.
Sentencing documents are among the most useful records in the file. They show what offense the person was convicted of, the sentence imposed, and any conditions tied to it such as probation or restitution. Presentence investigation reports are part of the file but are generally restricted from public access under state law. All other case documents are available to the public under MCL 15.231, Michigan's Freedom of Information Act.
An ICHAT report from the Michigan State Police is a faster way to get a summary of someone's conviction record. It does not include every document from the court file, but it gives a clear summary of offense type, statute, and sentence. For a full review, using both ICHAT and the circuit court file together is the most thorough approach.
Michigan Felony Records Search Resources
The Michigan Courts website is the central hub for court resources across all 83 Michigan counties, including MiCOURT and contact information for individual circuit courts.
From this site you can access statewide search tools, look up the 23rd Circuit Court contact information, and find guidance on how to request records from Michigan courts at the local level.
OTIS: Michigan Offender Tracking
The Michigan Department of Corrections runs OTIS, the Offender Tracking Information System. This free search tool lets you look up people currently in state prison or on parole in Michigan. If an Iosco County felony conviction led to a state prison sentence, the person's record may appear in OTIS. The system shows offense type, sentence length, facility assignment, and parole status.
OTIS does not cover people serving local jail time or those on probation. For those records, use MiCOURT or contact the county clerk's office. OTIS is most useful when you know a prison term was handed down and you want current status or release date information.
Expungement of Iosco County Felony Convictions
Under MCL 780.621, eligible people in Michigan can petition to have a felony conviction set aside. For an Iosco County conviction, the petition is filed with the 23rd Circuit Court. You need form MC 227, a $50 fee paid to the Michigan State Police, and notice served on the prosecutor. After a hearing, the judge decides whether to grant the set-aside.
Michigan's automatic expungement law at MCL 780.621g may clear some convictions without a petition after 10 years. Not all offenses qualify. Violent crimes, sex offenses, and crimes against minors are excluded. Check your eligibility using the free tools at Michigan Legal Help, which also has step-by-step guides on the full process.
FOIA and Public Records Access
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 public. The Iosco County Clerk handles court record FOIA requests. The sheriff's office takes requests for law enforcement records. Both must respond to written requests within 5 business days and can extend up to 10 more days with notice.
Fees for copies must be reasonable under state law. Denied requests can be appealed. For Michigan State Police criminal history records, contact MSPRecords@Michigan.gov. Records that have not been digitized may take more time to locate.
Cities in Iosco County
Iosco County is a rural county along the Lake Huron shoreline in northeastern Michigan. The county seat is Tawas City. No cities in Iosco County meet the population threshold for dedicated felony records pages. All felony cases for county residents go through the 23rd Circuit Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Iosco County. Each uses its own circuit court for felony cases. Check the correct county if you are not certain where a case was filed.