Criminal records in Clinton County, Michigan, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. ClintonMICourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Clinton County. Additional access points include the state court case search portal, the Michigan State Police criminal history repository, and the Clinton County Clerk's office, where official records are maintained.
How to Search Criminal Records in Clinton
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Clinton County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- ClintonMICourt.us — Search publicly available court record information for Clinton County cases. Start by entering a name or case number.
- MiCOURT Case Search — Michigan's statewide court case search portal. Note that some courts only display criminal conviction information if sentencing occurred within seven years of the search date.
- Michigan OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) — Search for individuals currently under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Corrections. This does not include county jail inmates or those sentenced to jail only.
- Michigan Sex Offender Registry — Search for registered sex offenders by name, zip code, or address.
- Michigan State Police — Request an official criminal history record (ICHAT) through the Michigan State Police portal.
In Person
Visit the Clinton County Clerk's office at the courthouse in St. Johns. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups. You can also visit the 65A District Court in St. Johns or the Clinton County Circuit Court to search records in person.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Clinton County Clerk's office at the address above. Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request through the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if searching by case)
- Government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
Search Clinton Criminal Cases by Case Number
Michigan uses a standardized case number format across its courts. Understanding the format helps you locate records quickly.
A typical Clinton County case number looks like this: 29-2024-000123-FH
- 29 — The county code for Clinton County
- 2024 — The year the case was filed
- 000123 — The sequential case number assigned by the court
- FH — The case type suffix
Common Case Type Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FH | Circuit Court felony |
| FY | District Court felony (exam) |
| SM | District Court misdemeanor |
| AR | District Court arraignment |
| FC | Circuit Court family (criminal support) |
Enter the full case number exactly as formatted when searching through the court portal. If you only have a partial number, try searching by the individual's name instead.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Clinton
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 (punishable by more than one year in prison), misdemeanors (up to one year in jail), or civil infractions.
- Amended charges — A charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations. The amended charge replaces the original on the case docket.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case is open and awaiting resolution |
| Active | Case has ongoing proceedings or active probation |
| Disposed | Case has been resolved (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All obligations fulfilled; case is complete |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally informed of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary examination — A district court hearing to determine if probable cause exists for a felony charge.
- Pre-trial conference — A meeting between the parties to discuss plea offers, evidence, and scheduling.
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review hearing — A follow-up hearing to monitor probation compliance or other conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or trial |
| Not guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecutor |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecutor declined to pursue the case |
| Deferred/delayed sentence | Sentencing postponed; charges may be dismissed upon compliance |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Clinton
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. In Clinton County, these are handled by the County Clerk or the specific court where the case was filed.
Where to Submit Requests
- Clinton County Clerk's Office — For Circuit Court criminal records
- 65A District Court — For misdemeanor and felony examination records filed in district court
- Michigan State Police (ICHAT) — For statewide criminal history reports
How to Submit
- In person — Visit the clerk's office with a valid government-issued photo ID. Ask the clerk for the specific case and request a certified copy.
- By mail — Send a written request including the case number, defendant's full name, your contact information, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
- Online — Statewide criminal history records can be requested through the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. Court-specific certified copies typically require an in-person or mail request.
Identification Required
- Government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- If requesting your own record, you may need to provide your full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Clinton
Fees for criminal record copies in Clinton County are set by Michigan statute and local court policy. The following are standard fees based on MCL 600.1986 and Michigan court rules.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court records (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $10.00 |
| ICHAT criminal history search (Michigan State Police) | $10.00 |
| Fingerprint-based background check (state) | Varies; typically $30–$50 |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the request.
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing, plus mailing time.
- ICHAT online searches — Results are generally available immediately after payment.
Contact the Clinton County Clerk's office at 989-224-5140 to confirm current fees before submitting a request. Payment methods accepted may vary by office — ask whether they take cash, check, money order, or credit card.