Oakland County Felony Records
Oakland County felony records are handled by the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac. Oakland County is one of the most populous counties in Michigan, and its courts process a high volume of felony cases each year. You can search Oakland County felony records through the county's Court Explorer tool online, through the statewide MiCOURT system, or by visiting the clerk's office at the Oakland County courthouse in Pontiac.
Oakland County Overview
Oakland County 6th Circuit Court
The 6th Circuit Court sits at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac and handles all felony criminal cases in Oakland County. The court also has civil and family divisions. For felony records, the circuit court clerk maintains all case files from arraignment through final disposition. The clerk's office is at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept. 413, Pontiac, MI 48341.
Oakland County has a population of about 1.3 million and is the second most populous county in Michigan. Common felony charges in Oakland County include homicide, rape and criminal sexual conduct, third offense drunk driving, drug offenses, embezzlement, larceny over threshold, felonious assault, home invasion, and felony firearm charges. The court handles hundreds of felony cases each year across its criminal division.
The county also has multiple district courts that handle arraignments and probable cause hearings for felony cases. These include the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills, the 51st District Court in Waterford, the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills, the 52-4 District Court in Troy and Clawson, and the 46th District Court in Southfield. Once a felony is bound over to circuit court, the 6th Circuit clerk takes over the file.
| Court | Oakland County 6th Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| Phone | (248) 858-1000 |
| Clerk Phone | (248) 858-0582 |
| Website | oakgov.com/courts |
How to Search Oakland County Felony Records
Oakland County offers one of the best public case search tools in the state. The county's Court Explorer lets you search circuit court, district court, and probate court cases by case number or by party name. The system is free and available online. Results show case type, charges, court dates, case status, and the parties involved. Court Explorer is a good first stop for anyone looking up Oakland County felony records.
The statewide MiCOURT case search also covers Oakland County courts. If you are searching across multiple counties or need a unified view, MiCOURT is useful. Both systems are updated regularly.
For a statewide criminal history search, the Michigan State Police ICHAT system charges $10 per name. ICHAT covers felony and misdemeanor convictions statewide and is often used for background checks. It returns results from the state repository rather than live court data.
To visit in person, go to the 6th Circuit Court clerk's office at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac. Call (248) 858-0582 to check current hours and copy fees. Staff can search by name or case number and pull files for you to review.
Note: Court Explorer shows case-level data and not sealed documents. Full case files require an in-person visit to the clerk's office.
What Oakland County Felony Records Contain
Felony case files from the 6th Circuit Court are among the most detailed public records maintained by Oakland County. Each file documents the full criminal proceeding from initial filing through final resolution.
A typical Oakland County felony record contains the original complaint or information, all docket entries with dates, attorney appearances, bond information, motions and responses, pre-trial hearing records, jury selection records if the case went to trial, the verdict or plea, and the final judgment of sentence. Sentencing orders show the length and type of sentence, any fines or restitution ordered, and conditions of probation. Some records like pre-sentence investigation reports may have restricted access.
Common Oakland County felony charges that appear in court records include homicide, criminal sexual conduct, drug delivery and manufacture, home invasion, felonious assault, felony firearm possession, embezzlement, larceny, and operating while intoxicated third offense or higher. Records for these cases are generally public.
The Oakland County Court Explorer is a free online case search tool that provides access to circuit, district, and probate court records in Oakland County, including felony criminal cases.
Court Explorer lets you search by case number or party name and view docket entries, charges, and case status for Oakland County felony and other court cases.
Expungement of Oakland County Felony Records
Some Oakland County felony convictions can be set aside under Michigan's expungement law at MCL 780.621. Setting aside a conviction removes it from most public databases. The 2021 Clean Slate legislation expanded access to expungement for many nonviolent offenses.
You file the petition with the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County. The court sets a hearing date and the prosecutor has a chance to respond. The judge weighs the circumstances of the offense, your behavior since the conviction, and the public interest. Many felony convictions qualify after the waiting period, which starts when all sentences including probation are complete.
Under MCL 780.621g, certain low-level convictions may be automatically cleared after a number of years. The Michigan Legal Help website has forms and guides for Oakland County residents filing expungement petitions without an attorney.
Note: Certain offenses including life felonies, criminal sexual conduct convictions, and traffic offenses resulting in injury are not eligible for expungement under current law.
FOIA and Public Records in Oakland County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 requires public agencies to respond to records requests within five business days. Oakland County courts are subject to FOIA for records not already accessible through Court Explorer or the clerks office.
To request specific documents, submit a written request to the 6th Circuit Court clerk. Specify the case number, type of records, and what format you need. The court may charge a per-page copying fee and a labor charge for searches. Requests for records that are publicly available online may be redirected to the Court Explorer portal.
Most felony case records are public. Exceptions include sealed files, juvenile records, and protected personal information for crime victims. If a request is denied, the court must state the reason and provide information about how to appeal the denial.
Cities in Oakland County
Oakland County has several large cities, each with its own district court. All felony cases are bound over to the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac. The following cities in Oakland County have dedicated pages.
Other communities in Oakland County include Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Clawson, Madison Heights, Royal Oak, and many more. All felony cases from these communities are handled by the 6th Circuit Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Oakland County. Each has its own circuit court and maintains separate felony records.