Criminal records in St. Joseph County, Michigan, are accessible through several channels. StJosephMICourt.us allows you to search publicly available 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.
How to Search Criminal Records in St. Joseph
Start your search with the person's full name or case number. The date of birth can help narrow down results if the name is common.
Online Search
- StJosephMICourt.us — enter a name or case number to find publicly available information about county criminal cases.
- MiCOURT Case Search — a statewide portal of the Michigan Supreme Court. Some courts display information about criminal convictions only for the last seven years from the search date.
- ICHAT (Michigan State Police) — a public criminal history search system maintained by the State Criminal Justice Center. Full name and date of birth are required; a fee is charged for the search.
- OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) — a database of the Michigan Department of Corrections for searching inmates in state facilities. Information about individuals in county jails is not displayed here.
In Person
Visit the County Clerk office, which maintains records for all civil, criminal, and family cases. Public terminals are available in the courthouse during business hours.
Felony cases are handled by the 45th Circuit Court, while misdemeanors and serious traffic violations are handled by the 3B District Court.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the clerk of the 45th Circuit Court or 3B District Court, specifying the defendant's full name and case number (if known).
- To obtain an official state-level criminal history, submit a request through Michigan State Police ICHAT.
- You can also submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) — this applies to records maintained by the sheriff's office or other county departments.
Search St. Joseph Criminal Cases by Case Number
A case number in Michigan typically consists of several parts, each carrying specific information:
- Year — a two-digit or four-digit designation of the year the case was opened (e.g., 2024 or 24).
- Case type letter code — indicates the category: FH means felony, SM — misdemeanor, FY may indicate a juvenile case.
- Sequential number — a consecutive number assigned when the case is filed in court.
Example: 2024-FH-000123 indicates a felony criminal case registered in 2024 under number 123. If you know the case number, enter it into the search portal — this is the quickest way to find the desired record. Without a case number, a name search still works but may return multiple results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in St. Joseph
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the Compiled Laws of Michigan (MCL) under which charges are filed |
| Severity | Felony (a serious crime), misdemeanor (a less serious offense), infraction (a violation, such as a traffic offense) |
| Amended Charge | The prosecutor may change or reduce the charges during the case — the new charge is reflected in the record |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made.
- Active — the case is in active proceedings.
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision.
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution.
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case in the county:
- Arraignment — the first court hearing where the defendant is read the charges and bail is set.
- 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 agreements, exchange evidence.
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review — checking compliance with sentence conditions (e.g., probation).
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The defendant was acquitted |
| Dismissed | The case was closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after substantive review |
Note: As of April 11, 2023, the 45th Circuit Court has restricted access to certain criminal records in accordance with the Michigan Clean Slate law. This means certain cases may be automatically removed from public access.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in St. Joseph
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the County Clerk — 45th Circuit Court Division. This office is the official custodian of all claims and legal actions filed in the Circuit Court.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office with valid photo identification.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the defendant's full name, case number (if known), type of document needed, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- FOIA Request — for records maintained by the sheriff's office or other county departments, submit a request through the FOIA page on the county's website.
Required documents for the request:
- Valid photo identification (for in-person requests)
- Full name of the person whose records are being requested
- Case number or date of birth for identification
To obtain a state-level criminal history, use the ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police. Necessary forms and documents for court procedures are available on the county's forms and documents page.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in St. Joseph
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 | MCL 600.2546(1) |
| Document certification | $10.00 | MCL 600.2546(2) |
| Criminal history search via ICHAT | $10.00 | Michigan State Police |
Processing Time
- ICHAT (online) — results are usually available within minutes.
- Request to court clerk (in person) — copies are often issued the same day if the record is easily found.
- Mail request — processing may take 5 to 10 business days, depending on the volume of requests.
- FOIA request — under Michigan law, a response must be provided within 5 business days, with the possibility of an extension for another 10 days.
Payment is usually accepted by check, money order, or cash for in-person requests. Confirm acceptable payment methods directly with the clerk's office before visiting.