Cass County Warrant Search

We appreciate you visiting this page. We aim to give you the best help for your Cass County MI Warrant Search. Our goal is to make this process clear for you. We know finding this data can seem hard. We will guide you through the right steps.

If you need to start your Cass County MI Warrant Search right now, you can use this resource: https://michiganwarrantrecords.com/cass-county-warrant-search/. This site may help you find the warrant information you seek in Cass County. Checking for warrants is a key step. It helps you know your status with the law. Use the link if you want fast access to search tools for Cass County warrants.

Understanding Warrants in Cass County, MI

What is a Warrant?

A warrant is an order from a judge. It lets police take some action. This action might be an arrest. It could also be a search of a place. Warrants are part of the legal process. They are based on good cause shown to a court. You need to take them very seriously.

Types of Warrants

There are different kinds of warrants in Michigan.

• Arrest Warrants: A judge issues these for a person's arrest. This often happens after a crime is charged. Police need proof you may have done the crime. An arrest warrant means police can take you into custody.

• Bench Warrants: A judge issues these from the "bench." This usually happens if you fail to show up for court. It can also be for not paying fines. Or for not following a court order. A bench warrant also leads to arrest.

• Search Warrants: These let police search a specific place. They look for evidence of a crime. The warrant lists the place to search. It also lists the items sought.

Reasons Warrants Are Issued

Warrants are not issued lightly. A judge needs a valid reason. For arrest warrants, there must be probable cause. This means facts suggest a crime occurred. And the person named likely did it. Bench warrants often result from failing to meet court duties. This could be missing a court date. Or not paying a court-ordered fine or support. Not following other court orders can also lead to a bench warrant. Understanding why a warrant exists is key. It helps in figuring out how to fix the issue.

Official Ways to Conduct a Cass County MI Warrant Search

Finding out if you have a warrant needs care. You should use official sources. This ensures the data is correct and up to date. Do not rely on gossip or old data. Go straight to the main county offices. They hold the real records.

Cass County Sheriff's Office

The Cass County Sheriff's Office plays a big role with warrants. They often serve warrants issued by local courts. They may have the most current list of active warrants. You can contact them to ask about warrants. It is best to be ready with full name and date of birth. This helps them search their records fast. They deal with both arrest and bench warrants.

• Contact Information:

  • Address: Cass County Sheriff's Office, Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031 (Note: Confirm exact location if visiting, as court building houses multiple offices). The main non-emergency phone number is (269) 445-8644.

  • Hours: Typical business hours are Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Call ahead to confirm hours for specific services. Some services like Corrections may have different hours or procedures.

• Procedures for Inquiry: You likely need to ask in person or by phone. Many sheriff offices do not give warrant information online for safety reasons. Calling the non-emergency line is a good first step. They can tell you the best way to ask. Be polite and give clear details.

• Anonymous Tip Line: The Sheriff encourages tips on illegal activity. You can use their anonymous tip line. This is not for checking your own warrant status. It is for reporting crime tips. Find the tip submission link on the Sheriff's Office section of the Cass County website.

Cass County Courts

Cass County has several courts. These courts issue warrants. They also keep case records where warrants might be noted. You can check with the court that might have issued the warrant. This depends on the type of case. The main courts are Circuit, District, and Probate.

• Role in Warrants:

  • 43rd Circuit Court: Handles big civil cases ($25k+). Also handles felony criminal cases. And family matters like divorce. Warrants in these cases come from this court.

  • 4th District Court: Hears smaller civil cases (under $25k). Also hears misdemeanor crimes. Traffic tickets and landlord issues go here too. Bench warrants for missing court or unpaid fines often come from District Court.

  • Cass County Probate Court: Deals with wills and estates. Also handles guardianships. Warrants are less common here. But they can happen in some cases.

• Contact Information: All courts are in the Law and Courts Building.

  • Address: 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031

  • 43rd Circuit Court File Room: Phone: (269) 445-4416, Fax: (269) 445-4453, Email: [email address removed]

  • 4th District Court File Room: Phone: (269) 445-4424, Fax: (269) 445-4486, Email: [email address removed]

  • Probate Court File Room: Phone: (269) 445-4454, Fax: (269) 445-4453, Email: [email address removed]

  • Hours: File room service windows are open 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM, Monday - Friday (closed holidays). General office hours are 8 AM to 5 PM.

• Accessing Court Records: Court records are mostly public in Michigan. You can ask the court clerk for records. You might need to go in person or mail a request. Some fees may apply. The Cass County Courts website mentions case lookup links for Circuit, District, and Probate cases. You can try these links on their site: Cass County Michigan Courts. The state also has the MiCOURT Case Search portal. This may show some Cass County case data. But it may not clearly list active warrants. Always confirm with the clerk.

• Importance of Verifying Court Dates: The court site warns: failure to appear can result in a bench warrant. If you think you have a court date, call the court file room to check. Do not assume no listing means no court date.

Michigan State Police (MSP) Resources

The Michigan State Police manage a statewide database. This database is for criminal history checks.

• Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT):

  • ICHAT lets you search public criminal records. These records come from all 83 Michigan counties. It includes felonies. It also includes serious misdemeanors (jail time over 93 days).

  • ICHAT does NOT show active warrants. It also does not show suppressed records. Federal records, tribal records, or out-of-state records are not included.

  • You need a full name and date of birth to search. Each search costs $10. You pay online with a credit or debit card. Results are viewable online for seven days.

  • You can access ICHAT here: Michigan ICHAT Login

Understanding Warrant Information and Public Records

Knowing how public records laws work helps. It tells you what info you can get. It also tells you what is kept private. Warrants can sometimes be part of public court files. But active warrant lists are often kept secure by police.

Public Access to Court Records

The Michigan Court Rules (MCR 1.109 & Subchapter 8.100) grant public access. Court documents held by clerks are usually open. You can ask to see or copy them. You may need to pay fees. Going to the court clerk's office is key. They manage these records. You can find case details this way. This might include notes about issued warrants.

Records Not Publicly Available

Some records are kept private by law. This protects sensitive data. These often include:

• Adoption case records.

• Guardianship records (some parts).

• Juvenile court records (cases involving minors).

• Records sealed by a judge's order. Warrant information linked to these cases may also be private.

Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq., lets you ask for government records. This includes records held by the Sheriff's Office. You can file a FOIA request for specific documents. This might include arrest reports or incident reports. It might not get you a list of active warrants. Law enforcement often exempts such lists. But you can ask for records related to a specific case. You usually need to submit a written request form. Contact the Sheriff's Office for their FOIA procedures. Fees may apply for search and copies.

What to Do if You Discover a Cass County Warrant

Finding out you have a warrant is serious. You need to act fast and smart. Ignoring it will make things worse. It can lead to arrest at any time. This could be during a traffic stop. Or even at home or work.

Confirming the Warrant's Validity

First, make sure the warrant is real. And make sure it is for you. Mistakes can happen. Contact the Cass County Sheriff's Office or the issuing court clerk. Give them your name and birth date. Ask them to confirm the active warrant details. Get the case number if you can. Find out why it was issued. Know the bond amount if there is one.

Seeking Legal Advice

Talk to a lawyer right away. This is very important. A lawyer can explain your rights. They can explain the charges or reason for the warrant. They can advise the best way to handle it. They might be able to arrange for you to turn yourself in safely. They can also help get the warrant recalled or quashed. Or they can help set a reasonable bond. Do not talk to police about the case without a lawyer.

Options for Resolution

How you clear a warrant depends on why it was issued.

• Turning Yourself In: Often, you must turn yourself in. Your lawyer can help arrange this. It can be less stressful than a surprise arrest. Go to the Cass County Sheriff's Office or the court.

• Contacting the Court: If it is a bench warrant for missing court, contact the court clerk. Ask how to get a new court date. You may need to file a motion. Your lawyer can help with this.

• Paying Fines/Fees: If the warrant is for unpaid fines, paying them might fix it. Ask the District Court clerk about payment options. Get proof that payment clears the warrant.

• Addressing the Underlying Issue: Deal with the reason the warrant was issued. If it is for a new charge, you need a lawyer for the case. If it is for not following orders, start following them.

Key Cass County Contact Information Summary

Here are key contacts for warrant checks and related records:

• Cass County Sheriff's Office:

  • Address: Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031 (Confirm exact office location)

  • Phone: (269) 445-8644 (Non-Emergency)

  • Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 5 PM (Call to confirm)

• 43rd Circuit Court (Felonies, Major Civil):

  • Address: Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031

  • File Room Phone: (269) 445-4416

  • File Room Email: [email address removed]

  • Hours: Service Window 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM Mon-Fri

• 4th District Court (Misdemeanors, Small Claims, Traffic):

  • Address: Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031

  • File Room Phone: (269) 445-4424

  • File Room Email: [email address removed]

  • Hours: Service Window 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM Mon-Fri

• Cass County Probate Court (Estates, Guardianships):

  • Address: Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62, Suite 10, Cassopolis, MI 49031

  • File Room Phone: (269) 445-4454

  • File Room Email: [email address removed]

  • Hours: Service Window 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM Mon-Fri

• Cass County Clerk / Register of Deeds: (For some official records, not primary warrant source)

  • Address: 120 N Broadway, Suite 200, Cassopolis, MI 49031

  • Phone: (269) 445-4464

  • Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 5 PM