Washtenaw County, Michigan Court Records

Washtenaw County records are official documents that record proceedings within the county. These records document the details of legal proceedings, thereby ensuring transparency in the judicial system. Court records in Washtenaw County are primarily generated and maintained by the Washtenaw County Trial Court through the county clerk. The clerk is also responsible for providing access to trial-level records through online portals or the main office.

In Washtenaw County, court records are created instantly when complaints, motions, or judgments are filed in a circuit, probate, or district court. Court records do not always exist alone. Vital records, such as birth and death certificates or arrest records, often accompany them. All court records in Washtenaw County are protected and maintained by Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Are Washtenaw County Court Records Public?

Yes, they are. According to Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 8.119, court records are public records and should therefore be accessible to the public. However, the rule also allows for restricted access to a record through a court decree or a sealing order.

Cases without restrictions can be made available to the public through online portals or the clerk’s office. In accordance with state laws, an individual may obtain court records without stating a need for requesting them. However, individuals interested in physical copies must pay $2 per page for records and $10 for certified copies.

In Washtenaw County, records can be withheld only when they are sealed, expunged, or when a court order prevents access. As part of the state’s efforts to improve transparency within the judicial system, civil cases, criminal filings, and non-confidential aspects remain open to the public.

However, records of cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, abuse, mental health cases, and other sealed records are usually only released to external parties on a need-to-know basis. Generally, Washtenaw and Michigan laws allow restrictions where privacy, safety, or fairness outweigh public access.

What Information is Available in Washtenaw County Court Records?

Court records usually show the complete history of a case from the moment of filing to final disposition. Depending on the type of case, specific contents in court records may differ. However, the most common contents in court records are as follows:

• Case number
• Filing date
• The court division in which the case is being filed
• Names of parties involved
• Case status
• Transcripts, exhibits, complaints, or motions.

Although claims, settlements, and agreements may also appear in the court records of civil cases, criminal cases typically include police reports, plea deals, and probation terms. On rare occasions, court records would also contain indictments, motions, responses, and petitions.

Washtenaw County Court Records Search

Depending on the nature of the case, the state of Michigan provides various methods for searching records.

Online Request

To access records online, use the county’s name search portal by inputting the offender’s name and case number. This provides comprehensive access to Michigan’s state records. Additionally, each case has specific restrictions.

Generally, obtaining court records electronically is best for quick searches such as custody status or case lookups.

In-Person Requests

Court records can be accessed physically at the clerk’s office. At the clerk’s office, the records are usually located through the case number or case name. Physical requests are especially helpful when seeking more details on a case or for records older than 2000. Additionally, certified copies of records can be requested directly from the clerk’s desk.

Clerk’s offices in Washtenaw County may also provide public terminals where individuals can search for records free of charge. To request court records in person, visit the office between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Mail and Phone Requests

In addition to online and physical requests, court records can also be requested by mail or over the phone. To request court records through these means, individuals must submit written requests to the county office, stating the desired case information, their contact details, and an attached self-addressed stamped envelope.

Fees for Court Records in Washtenaw County

Although the public has the general right to access court records, obtaining copies usually costs $2 per page. Certified copies bear the clerk’s seal and incur a $10 fee. However, some counties may require an additional dollar payment per page for certified copies.

Additionally, downloading copies of court documents or requesting large electronic files would usually attract charges. For instance, copies of court transcripts generally cost 30 cents per page, while a certified copy of any vital record costs $34.

Online searches for court records are usually free. However, it is advisable to confirm the court records fees on the county’s official website, as they may be updated periodically.

Washtenaw County Courthouse Locations

Washtenaw County has six courthouses, with each court specializing in distinct matters. The main trial court handles more case jurisdictions. Listed below is a breakdown of each courthouse and the cases it handles:

Washtenaw County Circuit Court

101 E Huron Street,

Ann Arbor, MI 48107,

(734) 222- 3270.

This is the main trial court, consisting of four major divisions: family court, probate court, juvenile court, and the 22nd circuit court. As the county court has several divisions, it handles almost any case type.

The trial court handles felony cases, criminal cases, major civil litigations, and civil cases involving significant damages. It also handles family court matters such as divorce, child support, custody arrangements, child welfare cases, and other juvenile-related matters or offenses.

14A-1 District Court

4133 Washtenaw Avenue,

Ann Arbor, MI 48108,

(734) 973-4545

The 14A district court handles traffic offenses, criminal misdemeanours, small claims, disputes between landlord and tenants, and civil infractions of up to $25,000. This court serves the Pittsfield Township and Ann Arbor area.

14A-2 District Court

415W Michigan Avenue

(734) 484-6690.

This court handles cases involving misdemeanours, small claims, civil offenses, and traffic infractions in and around Ypsilanti.

14A-3 District Court

The 14A-3 court handles cases in the Chelsea district. Located at 122S Main Street, Chelsea, MI 48118, the court handles small claims cases, civil infractions, civil matters, and misdemeanors. The district court can be reached at (734) 475-8606.

14A-4 Saline District Court

1000N Maple Road, Saline,

MI 48176,

734-429-2504.

This court serves the Saline district and handles traffic violations, criminal misdemeanours, and small claims.

14B District Court

7200 S. Huron River Dr.,
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 483-5300.

This court handles traffic offenses and restricted civil cases within Ypsilanti Township.

Criminal Records Access in Washtenaw County

In Washtenaw, the Michigan State Police conducts history checks through its Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). This tool uses names and fingerprints to pull up criminal background reports, dispositions, convictions, and arrests. The ICHAT tool does not bring up juvenile records or records that have been sealed or expunged.

History checks within the state are often used when an individual seeks employment, or during immigration or licensing purposes. Criminal history checks across the state are usually monitored or maintained by state and federal laws.

Local court records within the county can be accessed online through the county’s official website. When on the website, locate the "Name Search" or "Case Search" to obtain the required information about the case. Individuals may also choose to conduct in-person name searches, rather than online searches. In-person searches can be performed at the public terminals at the clerk’s office. The county only provides access to criminal case records filed within the county. It does not officially offer access to criminal background checks.

Washtenaw County Probate Records

Washtenaw County probate records detail the proceedings for handling an individual’s estate after their passing. These records often include wills, guardianships, trust filings, and estate administrations, and each document is different in its own right.

While wills state how the deceased individual would like their property distributed after death, guardianships are appointments mandated by the court in the interest of minors and incapacitated adults unable to make certain serious decisions themselves.

Trusts are arrangements that manage assets for beneficiaries. Estate administrations refer to the process of final distribution of property and the issuance of creditor notices. As with other public documents, recent probate filings can be found online on the county’s probate records website. However, records containing medical diagnoses, mental health evaluations, or psychological examinations are made exempt from public view.

Online systems containing probate filings usually show details such as case numbers, party names, and docket entries. Online systems are best suited for recent filings, while in-person searches are more appropriate for older probate files, and where more details on the records are required.

Washtenaw County Family Court Records

Family court records within the county are generally public, with few restrictions to protect the privacy and identity of affected individuals. Details such as names of involved parties, case numbers, and final judgements relating to divorce, custody, or support, are usually available to the public.

However, sensitive information such as account numbers or details involving children is usually redacted. The following family court records are exempt from the public: juvenile records, adoption records, psychological evaluations, and records sealed by court order.

Basic family case information is attainable through the state of Michigan’s portals. The portals usually contain case summaries, scheduled hearings, docket entries, and some court orders. It is usually free to access these files online. However, the full images in the document are not always available in online searches.

Certified copies of family court records cannot be obtained online, and sealed or expunged records cannot be accessed online. To obtain a certified copy of family court records in Washtenaw County:

1. Obtain essential case information: This usually involves information such as case number, case name, and names of parties involved.
2. Request the file from the circuit court: Depending on the method, this request could take a few minutes or a few days. Online requests are often the fastest.
3. Specify the needed documents
4. Pay necessary fees: The county usually charges a fixed fee of $10 for certified copies and $2 for additional copies. Additional charges may apply to larger requests.
5. Receive requested copies: Once your request is processed, the certified copies must either be mailed through a delivery/transport service or picked up at the court. Certified copies cannot be issued online.

Federal Court Records in Washtenaw County

When a case from Washtenaw County involves federal law, it is often handled by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (E.D Mich.). Cases in Washtenaw County are only directed to federal court when they involve federal crimes, bankruptcy matters, or diversity-of-citizenship cases in which the parties are from different states. The federal clerk’s office within the district is officially responsible for the case files and maintains the records.

The clerk’s office allows in-person viewing during business hours and charges $0.50 per page for copies of uncertified records. The clerk’s office is available to look up cases, view public case files, and, where necessary, obtain certified copies.

PACER, which stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records, is the official website for accessing federal case files online. PACER provides information about the involved parties and curates necessary case summaries. It only provides details about case-specific federal records. Pacer requires user registration and is a paid service. It usually charges $0.10 per page viewed, with a cap of $3 per document.