Kalamazoo County Felony Records

Kalamazoo County felony records are filed and maintained at the 9th Circuit Court on West Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo. This court handles all felony criminal cases in the county, from first appearance to final sentencing. You can search case records online through MiCOURT or the county courts portal, request documents at the clerk's office, or get a statewide background check through ICHAT. The county also has several district courts that process the early stages of felony cases before they move to circuit court.

9th Circuit Court Felony Records

The 9th Circuit Court serves Kalamazoo County and sits at 227 West Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo. It has sole jurisdiction over felony criminal cases filed in the county. A felony case file at this court covers everything from the charging document through final disposition, including motions, plea records, and sentencing orders. All of that material is public unless the court enters a specific order to seal it.

The 8th District Court shares the main courthouse address and handles misdemeanor cases as well as preliminary examinations in felony matters. When a felony arrest is made in Kalamazoo County, a district court judge first decides whether probable cause is sufficient to bind the case over to circuit court. The 8th District Court also has a criminal division at 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, which can be reached at (269) 383-8938, for certain types of cases.

The County Clerk's office at 201 W. Kalamazoo Avenue, Room 104, manages access to circuit court records. You can visit in person Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, or call (269) 383-8840 to ask about records. Copies cost $1 per page for standard documents and $10 per document for certified copies. The clerk also provides free in-person inspection of public records, and public access terminals are available at the courthouse for self-serve lookups.

How to Search Kalamazoo County Felony Records

Start your search with MiCOURT, the Michigan Supreme Court's statewide case search portal. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show the full register of actions for each case, listing every event from filing to close. MiCOURT is free and runs around the clock. It covers active and closed cases from most Michigan courts.

The Kalamazoo County courts also maintain their own portal at kalcounty.com/courts. This page links to local resources, contact info for each court division, and forms. It is a good starting point if you need to reach a specific division or find out about local procedures.

For a background check on a named individual, use ICHAT from the Michigan State Police. The fee is $10 per search. Results include statewide felony and misdemeanor conviction data, including any records from Kalamazoo County. The report shows the offense, conviction date, and sentence but does not include full case file documents.

You can inspect records for free at the courthouse using the public access terminals. If you need certified copies or specific documents, bring the case name and number to the clerk's office during business hours. Staff can pull the file and process your copy request while you wait, or mail copies if you prefer.

Probate Court records for Kalamazoo County are kept separately at 1536 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, phone (269) 383-8666. Probate handles estates and guardianships, which sometimes intersect with criminal matters involving vulnerable adults. These records are not part of the circuit court system.

Kalamazoo County Courts - Felony Records Portal

The Kalamazoo County Courts website provides direct access to court contacts, docket search tools, and case information for felony and other criminal matters filed in the county.

This portal covers the 9th Circuit Court, 8th District Court, and Probate Court, and links to online search tools and local forms used in Kalamazoo County felony cases.

What Kalamazoo County Felony Records Contain

A felony case file from the 9th Circuit Court starts with the complaint or information that sets out the charges. It also holds arrest warrant paperwork, bond records, and arraignment notes from the district court stage. As the case moves through circuit court, the file grows to include motions from both the prosecutor and defense, any competency or evaluation orders, plea agreements, and sentencing documents. The register of actions at the front of the file lists every event in date order.

Sentencing documents are often what people need most. They show the offense of conviction, the sentence imposed, probation conditions, fines, and restitution orders. Presentence investigation reports may be in the file but are typically not available to the general public unless a court orders otherwise. Most other portions of a closed felony case file are public under MCL 15.231.

ICHAT results are a summary and do not reflect the full case file. They will not show dismissed charges or cases that ended in acquittal. For complete records, go to the clerk's office or search MiCOURT directly.

Kalamazoo County Sheriff Records

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office holds arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking data that are separate from circuit court case files. If you need arrest records for a person who was booked in Kalamazoo County, contact the sheriff's office rather than the clerk. FOIA requests for law enforcement records go to the sheriff. These records cover arrests made by both the sheriff's deputies and, in some cases, other agencies operating in the county.

The sheriff's office processes FOIA requests for law enforcement records and can provide booking data, incident reports, and other non-court records linked to felony arrests in Kalamazoo County.

Expungement in Kalamazoo County

Michigan law allows eligible people to petition to have felony convictions removed from the public record. Under MCL 780.621, you file the petition at the circuit court where the conviction was entered. For Kalamazoo County convictions, that means the 9th Circuit Court. The petition process requires form MC 227, a $50 fee to the Michigan State Police, and service on the prosecutor's office.

Michigan also has automatic expungement under MCL 780.621g. Certain eligible felonies may be cleared automatically after 10 years if you have no new convictions. Crimes against minors, serious violent offenses, and other excluded categories do not qualify. Visit Michigan Legal Help to check eligibility and get step-by-step guidance on filing in Kalamazoo County.

FOIA and Public Records Access

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, at MCL 15.231, gives the public the right to access government records. Felony case records held by the 9th Circuit Court are public. Submit written FOIA requests for court documents to the Kalamazoo County Clerk. For law enforcement records, contact the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office.

Agencies must respond within 5 business days of receiving a written request, with a possible 10-day extension. Copy fees must follow a published schedule and be reasonable. Denied requests can be appealed. For Michigan State Police criminal history records, email MSPRecords@Michigan.gov.

Cities in Kalamazoo County

Kalamazoo is the largest city in the county and has a dedicated felony records page on this site. All felony cases for residents of the city and county are processed through the 9th Circuit Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kalamazoo County. Each has its own circuit court for felony cases. Confirm the right county before requesting records.