Criminal records in Ingham County, Michigan, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. InghamCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Ingham County. Additional access points include the Michigan statewide court case search portal, the Michigan State Police criminal history repository, and the Ingham County Clerk's Office, which maintains local court records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Ingham
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Ingham County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- InghamCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Ingham County.
- MiCOURT Case Search — Michigan's statewide court case search portal. You can look up cases filed in the 30th Judicial Circuit Court (Ingham County Circuit Court), the 54-A District Court in Lansing, and the 55th District Court in Mason. Note that some courts only display criminal conviction information if sentencing occurred within seven years of the search date.
- ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) — Maintained by the Michigan State Police, ICHAT allows you to search public criminal history record information statewide. Results include convictions and certain pending cases.
- OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) — Run by the Michigan Department of Corrections. OTIS provides information about any offender who is or was in a Michigan prison, or on parole or probation under MDOC supervision.
- Michigan Sex Offender Registry — Search for registered sex offenders by name, zip code, or county.
In Person
- Visit the Ingham County Clerk's Office at the courthouse in Mason to request access to court files.
- The 54-A District Court in Lansing also provides access to court records at its office.
- Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse for self-service case lookups.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Ingham County Clerk's Office for copies of court records. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number.
- For statewide criminal history records, submit a request through the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. You can also file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with MSP for certain records.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required)
- Case number (if available)
- Court location (Circuit Court, 54-A District Court, or 55th District Court)
Search Ingham Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, you can pull up a specific case directly in the MiCOURT system or at the clerk's office. Michigan case numbers follow a standardized format:
- Year — The two- or four-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- Case type code — A two-letter abbreviation indicating the type of case. Common criminal codes include:
- FH — Felony (high-severity)
- FC — Felony (other circuit court)
- FY — Felony (district court)
- SM — Misdemeanor
- SD — Ordinance violation
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned in the order the case was filed
For example, a case number like 2024-000123-FH indicates a felony case filed in 2024. When searching by case number, enter it exactly as it appears on court documents, including dashes and the case type code.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Ingham
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) section the defendant is charged under (e.g., MCL 750.110a for home invasion) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or civil infraction — determines which court handles the case |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations (e.g., a felony reduced to a misdemeanor) |
| Count number | Cases with multiple offenses list each charge as a separate count |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further proceedings
- Active — Court proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; the case file is complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary examination — In felony cases, a district court judge determines whether probable cause exists to send the case to circuit court
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss potential resolutions, evidence, and procedural matters
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The judge imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — Post-sentencing check on compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecutor or court
- Nolle prosequi — The prosecutor declines to pursue the case further
- Withheld judgment — The court delays entering a conviction, often tied to probation conditions; if conditions are met, the charge may be dismissed
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
Expunged records are removed from public view. Michigan's expanded expungement laws may allow eligible individuals to petition for conviction set-aside. The Michigan Attorney General's expungement assistance page explains eligibility criteria.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Ingham
Ingham County Clerk's Office (Circuit Court Records)
The Ingham County Clerk maintains records for the 30th Judicial Circuit Court, including felony cases. You can request certified copies in person or by mail.
What you need:
- A written request identifying the case by name and case number
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment for copy and certification fees
54-A District Court (Lansing)
Misdemeanor and traffic cases within the City of Lansing are handled by the 54-A District Court.
55th District Court (Mason)
Misdemeanor and traffic cases outside Lansing are handled by the 55th District Court.
Michigan State Police (Statewide Criminal History)
For a certified criminal history report covering all Michigan jurisdictions, submit a request through the Michigan State Police Criminal History Records division. Fingerprint-based background checks provide the most complete results and are typically required for employment or licensing purposes.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Ingham
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $1.00 per page | Standard fee under MCL 600.1988 |
| Certification fee | $10.00 per document | Added to copy cost; per MCL 600.2546 |
| ICHAT public criminal history search | $10.00 per search | Online through Michigan State Police |
| Fingerprint-based criminal background check | Varies | Fees depend on the requesting agency and purpose; contact MSP for current rates |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the court's workload
- Mail requests — Typically 5–10 business days after the clerk receives the request and payment
- ICHAT online searches — Results are usually returned immediately
- Fingerprint-based background checks — May take several business days to several weeks depending on the submission method
Fees are subject to change. Contact the relevant court or agency directly to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.