Criminal records in St. Clair County, Michigan, are available through several official channels. StClairMICourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the Michigan state court system, law enforcement agencies, and the county court clerk's office. Each of these resources covers a specific category of data — from current cases to archived sentences.
How to Search Criminal Records in St. Clair
Start your search at StClairMICourt.us, which compiles publicly available information on county court criminal cases. Then use one of the state's official portals or contact the court directly.
Online Search
- MiCOURT Case Search — Michigan's court case search portal. Enter the full name or case number. Some courts display information on criminal convictions only for the past seven years.
- ICHAT — Internet Criminal History Access Tool, supported by the Michigan State Police. Allows you to perform a criminal history check by name. Results include arrests, charges, and convictions from the Criminal Justice Information Center database.
- OTIS — Offender Tracking Information System of the Michigan Department of Corrections. Here you can find information about individuals who are or were in state prison, on parole, or under supervision.
For the search, you will need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
In-Person Visit
The St. Clair County Clerk's Office is located in the courthouse in Port Huron. There are terminals for public access to court records. Bring identification — the clerk may ask for it before issuing document copies.
St. Clair County Clerk's Office
Mail Request
A written request for a criminal history can be sent to the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are accepted by both the Michigan State Police and the St. Clair City Police Department. For a city police request, use the FOIA form.
Search St. Clair Criminal Cases by Case Number
Every criminal case in Michigan has a unique number. The format of the case number in county courts usually looks like this:
- Year of filing — two or four-digit number (e.g., 2024)
- Case type code — letter designation of the category. For criminal cases in Circuit Court, it is usually "FH" (felony high) or "FY" (felony), and in District Court — "DM" (misdemeanor)
- Sequential number — unique number assigned to the case within the year
Example: 2024-001234-FH indicates a felony case filed in 2024 under number 001234.
If you know the case number, enter it in the appropriate field on the MiCOURT Case Search portal — this is the fastest way to find the desired record. The number can also be used when contacting the court clerk by phone or in person.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in St. Clair
Each criminal case record contains several key elements. Below are explanations for each of them.
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Compiled Laws of Michigan under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony — serious crime, Misdemeanor — minor offense, Infraction — violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more serious one during the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the court process is ongoing
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — the case is closed, all obligations fulfilled
Hearings
In criminal cases in St. Clair County, typical hearings include:
- Arraignment — the first court appearance where charges are read and bail is set
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to transfer the case to Circuit Court (applies to felonies)
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial
- Sentencing — announcement of the sentence after a guilty plea or jury decision
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence, such as probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict — the prosecutor withdrew the charges or the court dismissed the case |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue further prosecution |
| Acquitted | Complete exoneration by the court or jury |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in St. Clair
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by employers, attorneys, and government agencies. Here's how to obtain them.
Through the County Court Clerk's Office
The St. Clair County Circuit Court Clerk issues certified copies of court decisions, sentences, and other criminal case documents. Apply in person or send a written request by mail.
When applying, bring valid photo identification. In your request, specify the full name of the party, case number (if known), and type of document needed.
Through Michigan State Police
To obtain an official criminal history record report, submit a request through ICHAT or the Criminal Records Division. Fingerprinting is required for requests related to licensing or employment.
Through FOIA
If you need law enforcement records (police reports, arrest records), submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act. MDOC also accepts FOIA requests regarding inmate information.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in St. Clair
The cost depends on the type of record and the method of obtaining it. Below are approximate rates based on current state and county rates.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ICHAT Search (online) | $10.00 per request | Michigan State Police |
| Copy of court document (uncertified) | $1.00 per page | MCL 600.2546 |
| Certification of copy | $10.00 | MCL 600.2546 |
| FOIA Request | Depends on volume; first 20 minutes of search usually free | Michigan FOIA (MCL 15.234) |
Processing Time
- ICHAT — results appear within minutes after payment
- Certified copies from the clerk's office — usually 3–5 business days for in-person requests; mail requests may take up to 2 weeks
- FOIA requests — the agency is required to respond within 5 business days, with the possibility of an extension for another 10 days (MCL 15.235)
Note: For complex or voluminous requests, the clerk may charge an additional labor fee. Confirm the total cost with the appropriate office before submitting your request.