Kent County Felony Records

Kent County felony records are maintained by the 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids. These records cover all felony cases filed within the county, including charges, hearings, plea entries, sentencing details, and final dispositions. If you need to look up a felony case in Kent County, the circuit court clerk's office and the state's online tools are your main starting points. Most records are public and available without filing a formal request.

Kent County 17th Circuit Court

The 17th Circuit Court handles all felony prosecutions in Kent County. The court is located at 180 Ottawa Ave NW in Grand Rapids. This court receives felony cases after preliminary examination in the district courts and handles everything from arraignment through sentencing. The clerk's office keeps all case files and can provide copies of felony records to the public.

Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons oversees the circuit court files, vital records, and elections division. Her office maintains public access terminals in the lobby of the courthouse, where you can search for cases without any fee. Staff at the records counter can assist with look-ups by name or case number. The records phone line is (616) 632-5480.

Kent County also has three district courts that handle preliminary felony examinations. The 61st District Court is at 61 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, (616) 632-5700. The 62A District Court serves Wyoming at 2650 DeHoop Ave SW, Wyoming MI 49509, (616) 530-7300. The 63rd District Court is at 1950 E Beltline NE, (616) 632-7770. All three feed cases up to the 17th Circuit once probable cause is established.

How to Search Kent County Felony Records

Kent County offers several ways to look up felony records. The easiest free option is the county's own case search portal. Go to the Kent County court records search page under Online Services on the county website. You can search by name or case number. Results show case status, charges, and hearing dates.

The state-level tool is MiCOURT, run by the Michigan Supreme Court. MiCOURT covers circuit, district, and probate courts across the state. You can use it to find Kent County felony cases. Enter a party name and the system returns matching records. MiCOURT is free to use and does not require an account.

For a certified background check, the Michigan State Police runs the ICHAT system. ICHAT searches the state criminal history database and costs $10 per search. You need a full name and date of birth. ICHAT returns a report based on fingerprint-linked records and is the most reliable option for employment or licensing purposes. The public defender office is available at (616) 632-7587 or indigent-defense@kentcountymi.gov for those who need legal help.

Note: In-person searches at the 17th Circuit Court allow you to view full case files and request certified copies at the records counter.

What Kent County Felony Records Contain

Felony records in Kent County cover the full life of a criminal case. From the initial charging document through the final judgment, each step is recorded and filed with the clerk. These records are open to the public under Michigan's Access to Public Records Act, MCL 15.231.

A typical Kent County felony file includes the complaint or information (the charging document), any warrants issued, the register of actions showing every court event, transcripts of hearings, plea agreements, presentence investigation reports, sentencing orders, and any post-conviction motions. Records from the district court's preliminary phase are also part of the circuit court file once the case is bound over.

Records show the defendant's name, date of birth, charges, charge codes, case number, filing date, and the names of the judge and prosecutor. Sentencing records include the prison or probation term, fines, costs, and any conditions ordered by the court. Sex offender registration requirements appear in the judgment if applicable under MCL 28.241.

Note: Juvenile adjudications and certain sealed records are not part of the public file and will not appear in standard searches.

The Kent County court records search portal lets you look up circuit court cases by name or case number at no cost.

This is the primary public access tool for searching Kent County felony case information online, maintained by the Kent County Clerk's office.

The Kent County official website also provides links to court services, online record tools, and county department contacts.

The county homepage is a good starting point to navigate to court services, the clerk's office, and other resources related to Kent County felony records.

Expungement of Felony Records in Kent County

Michigan law allows some people to have felony convictions set aside. The process is governed by MCL 780.621. A set-aside removes the conviction from the public record, though law enforcement can still see it. Not every offense qualifies, and you must meet waiting period requirements before you can apply.

Under the Clean Slate Act, codified at MCL 780.621g, Michigan now allows automatic expungement of certain convictions after a waiting period. For offenses that do not qualify for automatic set-aside, you can file a petition with the court using form MC 227. You file the petition in the county where you were convicted, which for Kent County cases means the 17th Circuit Court.

The waiting period is five years from the date you completed your sentence, including probation and parole. You may not have more than two prior felony convictions and not more than four misdemeanor convictions total. Crimes like murder, criminal sexual conduct, and most crimes against children do not qualify. You can get the MC 227 form and instructions through the Michigan Courts website.

FOIA and Public Records Access in Kent County

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, gives the public the right to request government records. In Kent County, you can submit a FOIA request to the circuit court clerk, the county sheriff, or any other county office that holds felony-related records. Most agencies must respond within five business days.

Court records that are already public can be obtained directly at the clerk's counter without a formal FOIA request. You can request copies by mail or in person. For records held by the county sheriff or prosecutor, a written FOIA request may be needed. The request must describe the records you want clearly enough that staff can find them. Fees are set by each agency and may include per-page copying costs and staff time for large requests.

The Michigan Department of Corrections also maintains the OTIS offender tracking system, which shows the current status of people incarcerated or under supervision in the state. OTIS is free and does not require a request. You can look up a person by name or MDOC number.

Note: FOIA does not apply to records already available in the public court file; those can be obtained at the clerk's counter without a written request.

Cities in Kent County

Kent County includes several cities. Grand Rapids is the county seat and the largest city. Wyoming is the second-largest city in the county. Both have their own district courts that handle preliminary felony proceedings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kent County. Felony cases are filed in the county where the offense occurred, so check the correct jurisdiction if you are not sure.