Criminal records in Calhoun County, Michigan, are accessible through several official channels. CalhounMICourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. You can also search through the state court system, law enforcement agencies, and the Calhoun County Clerk's office. Felony cases filed in the 37th Circuit Court, misdemeanors handled by the 10th District Court, and criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police are all available to the public, with certain exceptions required by law.
How to Search Criminal Records in Calhoun
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Calhoun County. Start with the method that fits your situation.
Online Search Options
- CalhounMICourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information in Calhoun County.
- MiCOURT Case Search — The statewide court case search portal maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court. You can look up cases from the Calhoun County Circuit Court and District Court by party name or case number.
- Michigan ICHAT — The Internet Criminal History Access Tool, run by the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center. ICHAT searches public criminal history record information statewide.
- OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) — Search for individuals currently or formerly in the Michigan Department of Corrections system. This does not cover county jail inmates.
In Person
Visit the Calhoun County Justice Center to access court records at the clerk's office. The District Court and Circuit Court are both located in the same building.
You can also request law enforcement records through the Calhoun County Sheriff's Records Division.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the Calhoun County Circuit Court Clerk at the Justice Center address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and case number if available.
- Statewide criminal history: Submit a request through Michigan ICHAT online, or mail a fingerprint-based request to the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center.
- Sheriff's records: Contact the Sheriff's Records Division by mail or in person. FOIA requests may also be submitted for law enforcement records.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if searching by case)
- Court type — Circuit Court for felonies, District Court for misdemeanors
Search Calhoun Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, searching is straightforward. Michigan uses a standardized case number format across its courts.
A typical Michigan case number looks like this: 2024-001234-FH
- 2024 — The year the case was filed.
- 001234 — A sequential number assigned by the court.
- FH — A two-letter suffix indicating the case type.
Common criminal case type suffixes in Calhoun County:
| Suffix | Case Type | Court |
|---|---|---|
| FH | Felony (high court) | Circuit Court |
| FY | Felony | Circuit Court |
| SM | Misdemeanor (state law) | District Court |
| FD | Felony (District Court arraignment) | District Court |
| DL | Drunk driving / OWI | District Court |
Enter the full case number in the MiCOURT Case Search tool to pull up case details, hearing dates, and disposition information. Note that juvenile cases are nonpublic under Michigan law.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Calhoun
Charges
- Statute codes — Each charge references a section of the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL). For example, MCL 750.110a covers home invasion.
- Severity — Charges are classified as felonies, misdemeanors, or civil infractions. Felonies are prosecuted in the 37th Circuit Court; misdemeanors are handled by the 10th District Court.
- Amended charges — A charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations. The amended charge will appear alongside the original charge in the case record.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case is open and awaiting resolution |
| Active | Proceedings are underway |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome |
| Closed | All matters in the case are concluded, including sentencing and any post-judgment activity |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally informed of the charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary examination — In felony cases, the District Court determines whether there is probable cause to send the case to Circuit Court.
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss potential resolutions, motions, and trial preparation.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The judge imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review hearing — Post-sentencing check on probation compliance or other conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges were dropped by the court or prosecutor |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecutor declined to pursue the case |
| Deferred / delayed sentence | Sentencing is postponed; charges may be dismissed upon compliance with conditions (e.g., MCL 771.1) |
Calhoun County Circuit Court also posts warrant information for individuals who have failed to appear or violated court orders.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Calhoun
Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal proceedings, employment verification, and licensing applications.
Court Records — Circuit Court Clerk
The Calhoun County Circuit Court Clerk handles certified copies of felony case records, judgments of sentence, and other Circuit Court documents.
To request certified records:
- Visit the Clerk's office in person or submit a written request by mail.
- Provide the case number, defendant name, and the specific document you need.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
- Pay the applicable copy and certification fees.
Note: All juvenile delinquency cases are nonpublic under Michigan Court Rules.
Criminal History Records — Michigan State Police
For a statewide criminal history report, use Michigan ICHAT. ICHAT provides public criminal history information and is commonly used for employment background checks.
Sheriff's Office Records
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Records Division processes requests for incident reports, arrest records, and fingerprint-based background checks.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Calhoun
| Record Type / Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ICHAT public criminal history search | $10.00 per search | Michigan State Police |
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $1.00 per page | MCL 600.2546(1) |
| Certification fee | $10.00 per document | MCL 600.2546(1) |
| Fingerprint-based background check (Public School Employee) | $71.00 | Calhoun County Sheriff's Records Division |
Processing Times
- ICHAT online searches — Results are typically available immediately.
- In-person court record requests — Often fulfilled the same day, depending on staff availability and the complexity of the request.
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing.
- Fingerprint-based checks — Processing times vary; contact the Sheriff's Records Division for current estimates.
Fees are set by Michigan statute and the Calhoun County fee schedule. Confirm current fees directly with the relevant office before submitting your request, as amounts may change.