Criminal records in Lenawee County, Michigan, are available through several channels. LenaweeCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, the state's official court systems, county law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office provide access to records — online, in person, or by mail. Each search method, types of case data, the process for obtaining certified copies, and associated fees are described below.
How to Search Criminal Records in Lenawee
Start by determining what specific information you need to find. For a basic search by name or case number, there are several ways.
Online Search
- LenaweeCourt.us — enter the person's first and last name to view publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
- MiCOURT Case Search — the Michigan state courts portal. Here you can search for cases in the Circuit Court and District Court of Lenawee County by party name or case number. The data is informational and does not replace the official record.
- ICHAT (Michigan State Police) — public criminal history check system. The search is conducted by name and date of birth. The result covers records from all Michigan counties.
- Sheriff's Records Division — the Lenawee County Sheriff's office maintains incident and arrest reports. Information can be requested through FOIA.
In-Person Visit
The county court clerk's office at the Lenawee County Courthouse accepts requests to view court cases. The county clerk is the official court clerk for the Circuit Court. Public access terminals may be located directly in the courthouse — confirm this upon your visit.
Written Request
Send a request by mail to the county court clerk at the address provided above. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. For a state-level criminal history, send a request to the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center. Requests to the county sheriff are submitted through FOIA.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full first and last name of the person
- Date of birth (recommended for ICHAT)
- Case number (if known — significantly speeds up the search)
Search Lenawee Criminal Cases by Case Number
A Michigan case number has a standard format, and each part carries specific information. A typical example: 2024-001234-FH.
- 2024 — the year the case was filed in court.
- 001234 — the sequential number of the case within this court for the given year.
- FH — the case type code. For criminal cases, the most common suffixes are:
- FH — felony, Circuit Court
- FY — felony, certain categories
- SM — misdemeanor, District Court
- SD — drunk driving
If you have the exact case number, enter it into the MiCOURT search field — the system will return information about the parties, status, scheduled hearings, and court decisions. Note: some cases may be restricted from public view, including juvenile cases or sealed records.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lenawee
Each criminal case in the county contains several key data categories. Here's what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific Michigan law, e.g., MCL 750.110a — burglary |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Civil Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during proceedings — the new charge replaces the initial one |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet.
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled.
- Disposed — the court has rendered a decision in the case.
- Closed — all procedural actions are complete, the case is archived.
Hearings
The schedule of hearings in the Lenawee County Circuit Court can be viewed on the Court Display page. Typical stages:
- Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, charges are announced.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to transfer the case to the Circuit Court (applies to felonies).
- Pre-Trial — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial.
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or jury verdict.
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with probation conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by verdict or plea |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict — prosecutor dropped charges or court dismissed the case |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecutor declined to pursue further prosecution |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lenawee
Certified copies are officially verified documents with the court's seal. A regular printout from the internet does not have legal force.
Where to Apply
- County Clerk / Circuit Court Clerk — issues certified copies of court decisions, sentences, hearing transcripts.
- Michigan State Police (ICHAT) — for obtaining an official state-level criminal history. Request is submitted through the Criminal History Records portal.
- County Sheriff — for copies of police reports and arrest reports. Request is submitted through the FOIA form.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office at the Lenawee County Courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — send a written request including the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a copy of your ID. Include a check or money order for the appropriate fee.
- Online (ICHAT) — criminal history check is available through the Michigan State Police website. Payment is made by credit card.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lenawee
Fees depend on the type of request and institution. Below are approximate amounts based on current Michigan state rates and county rules.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| ICHAT — criminal history check (online) | $10.00 | Michigan State Police, per request |
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 | County court clerk, according to MCL 600.2546 |
| Document certification | $10.00 | County court clerk, per document |
| Copy of police report (FOIA) | Varies | County sheriff; fee depends on volume and preparation time, according to Michigan FOIA (MCL 15.231 et seq.) |
Processing Time
- ICHAT — results are usually available within minutes after payment.
- Court Clerk (in person) — simple requests are often fulfilled on the day of the visit.
- Mail Requests — from 5 to 15 business days, depending on complexity.
- FOIA Requests to Sheriff — Michigan law requires a response within 5 business days, with the possibility of an extension for another 10 days.
Confirm current fees directly with the clerk's office or on the relevant institution's website — rates may change.