St. Joseph County Felony Records

St. Joseph County felony records are maintained by the 45th Circuit Court in Centreville. The court handles all felony criminal cases for the county and keeps those records available to the public. You can search St. Joseph County felony records online through MiCOURT or visit the courthouse in Centreville to request case files and certified copies in person.

St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court

The 45th Circuit Court is located at 125 Main Street in Centreville, the county seat of St. Joseph County. The court handles all felony criminal matters for the county. The main court phone number is (269) 467-5500, with a fax at (269) 467-5558. Court Administrator Kathryn Griffin can be reached at (269) 467-5542. The Friend of Court office, which handles family matters, is at (269) 467-5570.

St. Joseph County is in southwestern Michigan near the Indiana border with a population of about 62,000. Sturgis is the largest city. The county is part of the Michiana region and sits between the more urban areas of Kalamazoo and South Bend. Felony charges in St. Joseph County typically include drug offenses, property crimes, assault, home invasion, and repeat OWI. The circuit court clerk maintains all case files and can provide copies to the public.

District courts in St. Joseph County handle arraignment and preliminary proceedings for felony cases. After bind-over, the 45th Circuit Court takes over the file. The clerk's office at 125 Main Street, Centreville, is the place to request circuit court records.

How to Search St. Joseph County Felony Records

The MiCOURT public case search covers St. Joseph County circuit court records and is free to use. Search by party name or case number to find felony cases, charges, and hearing dates. The system is maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court and updated regularly. This is the best first step for online felony record searches in St. Joseph County.

For a statewide criminal history check, the ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police covers all Michigan counties for $10 per name. ICHAT pulls from the state criminal history repository and returns convictions across all Michigan courts, making it useful when you need more than just St. Joseph County records.

To visit in person, go to the 45th Circuit Court at 125 Main Street, Centreville. Call (269) 467-5500 to confirm hours. Bring a full name and date of birth or case number. The clerk can search the file and provide copies for a fee. Certified copies are available at a higher cost and may be needed for legal purposes like expungement petitions or license applications.

What St. Joseph County Felony Records Contain

Felony records from the 45th Circuit Court document the entire criminal proceeding in St. Joseph County from bind-over through final disposition. These are official public records available to anyone unless sealed by the court.

Records include the charging document, all docket entries, attorney appearances, motions and court rulings, any plea agreements, trial records if applicable, the verdict, and the judgment of sentence. The judgment of sentence shows the conviction charges, the sentence imposed, any fines or restitution ordered, and conditions of probation. Pre-sentence investigation reports are generally not available to the public.

Certified copies of felony judgments are often needed for background check disputes, license applications, or expungement filings. The clerk's office at 125 Main Street can provide certified copies for a fee.

The Michigan Courts website serves as the statewide portal for court resources and case search tools, covering all Michigan circuits including the 45th Circuit serving St. Joseph County in Centreville.

This portal links to MiCOURT and provides court contact information for all Michigan counties including St. Joseph County.

Expungement in St. Joseph County

Michigan's expungement law at MCL 780.621 allows qualifying individuals to petition to have felony convictions set aside. The 2021 Clean Slate law expanded eligibility for many nonviolent felonies. You file the petition with the 45th Circuit Court at 125 Main Street, Centreville.

The court schedules a hearing and the prosecutor is notified. The judge considers the nature of the offense and your conduct since conviction. If granted, the record is removed from public access. Under MCL 780.621g, some convictions may be automatically cleared after a period without reoffending. Visit Michigan Legal Help for free guides and forms for St. Joseph County residents.

FOIA and Public Records in St. Joseph County

Under MCL 15.231, the St. Joseph County Circuit Court must respond to records requests within five business days. Submit a written FOIA request to the clerk at 125 Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032. Most felony case records are public. A fee applies for copies and staff search time. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and protected victim information are restricted.

Cities in St. Joseph County

St. Joseph County includes Sturgis, Three Rivers, and Centreville among its communities. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All felony cases from St. Joseph County are handled by the 45th Circuit Court in Centreville.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Joseph County. Each handles felony cases through its own circuit court.