Grand Traverse County Criminal Records
What Is Grand Traverse County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Grand Traverse County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records document the complete history of a person's criminal activity as processed through local law enforcement agencies and courts in accordance with Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:
- Arrest Records: Documents created when an individual is taken into custody by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office or local police departments, but do not necessarily indicate guilt
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of cases where individuals have been found guilty of criminal offenses
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
- Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 and older, which are generally accessible to the public
- Juvenile Records: Documentation for offenders under 18, which are typically sealed and confidential under Michigan law
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by courts
- Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal proceedings and their outcomes
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Grand Traverse County, each responsible for different aspects of documentation:
Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office
851 Woodmere Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-5000
Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for the county.
Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office
280 Washington Street, Suite 206
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-4760
Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office
The County Clerk maintains court records including case filings, dispositions, and outcomes.
86th District Court
280 Washington Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-4580
86th District Court
The District Court maintains records for misdemeanors, preliminary examinations for felonies, and civil infractions.
13th Circuit Court
280 Washington Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-4701
13th Circuit Court
The Circuit Court maintains records for felony cases and serious criminal matters.
Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. The maintenance and accessibility of these records are governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act and related statutes.
Are Criminal Records Public In Grand Traverse County
Criminal records in Grand Traverse County are generally considered public information under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Public Act 442 of 1976. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including most criminal records maintained by county agencies.
According to MCL § 15.231(2): "It is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees, consistent with this act."
The following criminal record categories are typically accessible to the public:
- Adult conviction records
- Court proceedings and case dispositions
- Booking information and mugshots
- Criminal court calendars and dockets
- Sex offender registry information
However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:
- Active criminal investigations
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate legislation
- Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Records that would disclose the identity of a confidential source or information furnished by a confidential source
- Information that would endanger the safety of law enforcement personnel
The Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office maintains public terminals where members of the public may conduct searches of publicly available criminal records. Additionally, certain records can be accessed through the county's online portal systems.
It is important to note that while criminal records are generally public, the method of access and associated fees may vary depending on the specific record requested and the maintaining agency. Pursuant to MCL § 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and duplication of public records.
Individuals seeking criminal records in Grand Traverse County should be aware that the Michigan Court Rules also govern access to court records, which may contain additional provisions regarding the accessibility of certain criminal case information.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Grand Traverse County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Grand Traverse County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county provides multiple access points for criminal record searches, depending on the specific information needed and the maintaining agency.
For in-person searches at the County Clerk's Office:
- Visit the Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
- Pay any applicable search or copy fees as established by the county fee schedule.
- Review records on public access terminals or receive copies of requested documents.
Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office
280 Washington Street, Suite 206
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-4760
Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office
For records from the Sheriff's Office:
- Submit a request through the Online FOIA Request Form on the county website.
- Provide specific details about the records being requested, including names, dates, and incident numbers if available.
- Include contact information for response delivery.
- Pay any applicable fees for search, retrieval, and duplication.
Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office
851 Woodmere Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-5000
Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office
For court records from the 13th Circuit Court or 86th District Court:
- Access the Criminal Records Database through the county website.
- Enter search criteria including name, case number, or filing date.
- Review basic case information available online.
- For complete case files, visit the appropriate court clerk's office in person.
For state-level criminal history information:
- Submit a request to the Michigan State Police through the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).
- Provide the subject's full name and date of birth.
- Pay the required fee ($10 per search).
- Receive results electronically.
For records of individuals currently or previously incarcerated in state facilities:
- Access the Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS).
- Enter the subject's name or identification number.
- Review publicly available information about current status and location.
Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.235, agencies must respond to requests within 5 business days, though this period may be extended by an additional 10 business days if necessary.
How To Find Criminal Records in Grand Traverse County Online?
Grand Traverse County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals offer convenient access to various types of criminal record information without requiring in-person visits to county offices.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Grand Traverse County include:
-
Grand Traverse County Online Records Portal
- Provides access to civil and criminal case records
- Allows searches by name, case number, or filing date
- Displays basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and disposition
- No registration required for basic searches
- Available 24/7 without charge
-
- Specialized portal for criminal case information
- Includes felony and misdemeanor cases processed through county courts
- Provides case status, scheduled hearings, and disposition information
- Updated daily with new case information
- No user account required for public access
-
Circuit & Family Court Records
- Contains records for felony cases and serious criminal matters
- Provides case history, document listings, and party information
- Includes e-filed documents for recent cases
- Some documents may require in-person review due to confidentiality restrictions
-
Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Search
- Provides information on current and former state prisoners
- Includes offender status, location, and earliest release date
- Shows offense information and sentencing details
- Updated regularly with current custody information
- No registration or fees required
When conducting online searches, users should note the following:
- Name searches work best with complete first and last names
- Case number searches require the exact format used by the court
- Some detailed documents may not be available online due to privacy restrictions
- Recent cases (within 24-48 hours) may not yet appear in online systems
- Certain case types (juvenile, sealed, expunged) will not appear in public searches
For comprehensive criminal background checks, the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) provides official criminal history information for a fee of $10 per search. This system requires registration and includes statewide conviction data.
Online access to criminal records is governed by the Michigan Court Rules on Access to Court Records and may be subject to certain limitations to protect privacy and confidentiality interests as required by law.
Can You Search Grand Traverse County Criminal Records for Free?
Grand Traverse County provides several options for free access to criminal records in accordance with Michigan's public records laws. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.233 establishes that "a public body shall furnish a requesting person a reasonable opportunity for inspection and examination of its public records."
Free in-person inspection options include:
-
Public Access Terminals at the County Clerk's Office
- Located at 280 Washington Street, Suite 206, Traverse City, MI 49684
- Available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Allows searching of court cases and viewing of basic case information
- No charge for self-service searches on public terminals
-
Court Docket Review
- Available at both the 86th District Court and 13th Circuit Court
- Public dockets can be reviewed at no charge
- Provides case scheduling information and basic case status
Free online resources include:
-
Grand Traverse County Online Records
- Provides free access to basic criminal case information
- Includes case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information
- No registration or fees required for basic searches
- Available 24/7 from any internet-connected device
-
- Free access to criminal case records
- Searchable by name or case number
- Provides case status and basic disposition information
- No user account or payment required
-
Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS)
- Free access to information about current and former state prisoners
- Includes offense information and custody status
- Searchable by name or offender number
- Updated regularly with current information
While basic searches are available at no cost, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies of documents ($1.00 per page typical fee)
- Certified copies of court records ($10.00 - $15.00 per document)
- Records requiring extensive search or retrieval time
- Complete criminal history reports through Michigan State Police
- Records requiring redaction of confidential information
The Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office can provide a current fee schedule for records that require payment. Additionally, pursuant to MCL § 15.234(1), "a public body may waive or reduce the amount of the fee if the public body determines that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest."
What's Included in a Grand Traverse County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Grand Traverse County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph when available
- Current and previous addresses
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Driver's license number
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (e.g., Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office, Traverse City Police)
- Booking number and processing details
- Charges filed at time of arrest with corresponding statute numbers
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information from the Corrections Division
Court Case Information:
- Court case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (86th District Court or 13th Circuit Court)
- Formal charges filed by the prosecutor
- Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Hearing dates and proceedings
- Motion filings and judicial orders
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date if applicable
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms (jail or prison duration)
- Probation requirements and duration
- Fines, court costs, and restitution ordered
- Special conditions (community service, treatment programs)
- Appeal information if applicable
- Probation/parole status and compliance
Additional Information:
- Active warrants if outstanding
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements if applicable
- DUI/OWI offenses and driver's license sanctions
- Traffic violations connected to criminal matters
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history within the county
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary based on case age, record type, and maintaining agency. Records maintained by the County Clerk's Office typically contain the most complete court documentation, while law enforcement agencies maintain detailed arrest and booking information.
Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 1.109, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of criminal records, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth.
How Long Does Grand Traverse County Keep Criminal Records?
Grand Traverse County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Michigan Records Management Services and the State Court Administrative Office. These retention periods vary based on record type, case severity, and outcome.
The primary retention periods for criminal records in Grand Traverse County are as follows:
Felony Records:
- Case files for capital offenses (murder, treason): Permanent retention
- Non-capital felony convictions: 50 years after case closure
- Dismissed felony cases: 10 years after dismissal
- Acquitted felony cases: 10 years after verdict
Misdemeanor Records:
- Conviction records: 20 years after case closure
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: 7 years after final disposition
- Traffic misdemeanors: 7 years after case closure
Arrest Records:
- Arrests resulting in charges: Retained with corresponding case file
- Arrests without charges filed: 5 years from date of arrest
- Booking photographs and fingerprints: 7 years minimum, longer for serious offenses
Court Records:
- Trial transcripts for felony convictions: 50 years
- Court dockets and indexes: Permanent retention
- Sentencing information: Retained with case file
- Probation records: 10 years after discharge from probation
Corrections Records:
- Jail records: 7 years after release
- Inmate medical records: 7 years after release
- Disciplinary reports: 3 years after inmate release
These retention periods are established pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws § 18.1284-1292, which governs records management for public bodies in Michigan. The Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office follows these state-mandated retention schedules.
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, electronic indexes and basic case information may be maintained for longer periods. Additionally, records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be retained permanently even after physical copies are destroyed.
Criminal history information reported to the Michigan State Police is maintained according to state retention schedules, which typically keep conviction information indefinitely and non-conviction information for 5-7 years depending on the offense type.
Records that have been expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate legislation are removed from public access but may be retained for limited law enforcement and judicial purposes with restricted access.
Lookup Criminal Records in Grand Traverse County
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