We are glad you came to this page. We want to help you with your Lenawee County Warrant Search. Our goal is to give you the facts you need. We will do our best to guide you through the right steps. Finding warrant info can seem hard. We aim to make it clear.
If you need to start your Lenawee County Warrant Search now, you can visit https://michiganwarrantrecords.com/lenawee-county-warrant-search/. This site offers a way to begin looking for warrant information right away. Checking for warrants is a key step for many. It helps people know their legal status. Use the link if you want quick access before reading more here. Knowing if a warrant exists is vital. It lets you take the next steps needed.
Knowing who to contact is key for a Lenawee County Warrant Search. Two main places handle warrants: the Sheriff's Office and the County Courts. They have specific roles. They also have set ways to ask for information.
The Sheriff's Office often executes warrants. They also keep records related to arrests and warrants. You can ask them about active warrants. They have a Records Division just for this. It is best to call or email them first. This can save you time. They need good details to help you. Give the full name of the person. A date of birth helps a lot too. They can tell you if they have a warrant on file for that person. They can guide you on next steps if needed. Their office is in Adrian.
Physical Address: 405 N. Winter Street, Adrian, MI 49221
General Phone: 517-263-0524
Records Division Phone: 517-263-0524 ext. 2031 or ext. 2052
Records Email: sheriffrecords@lenawee.mi.us
Records Office Walk-In Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Closed on holidays.
Judges in the county courts issue warrants. Warrants are based on legal requests. These requests come from police or prosecutors. The courts keep records of the cases linked to warrants. The main courthouse holds both the District and Circuit Courts. It is the Rex B. Martin Judicial Building in Adrian. The District Court handles less serious crimes (misdemeanors). It also deals with traffic cases. The Circuit Court handles major crimes (felonies). You can ask the court clerk's office about case records. This might show if a warrant was part of a case. Some court info is online. Some needs an in person visit.
Physical Address: Rex B. Martin Judicial Building, 425 N. Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221
2A District Court Phone: 517-264-4675
39th Circuit Court Clerk Phone: 517-264-4597
Court Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Check specific office hours)
Online Court Records: https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/ (Use the Case Search feature)
A warrant is a legal paper. A judge or magistrate issues it. It lets police take a specific action. This could be an arrest. It could be a search. Warrants are not issued lightly. There must be a good reason, backed by facts. This reason is called probable cause. Michigan law sets rules for warrants.
In Michigan, a warrant is an official court order. It directs law enforcement. It might order them to arrest a person. It might allow them to search a place. The warrant must be based on facts. These facts must suggest a crime occurred. Or they must suggest evidence can be found. This protects people's rights. Police cannot just arrest or search at will. They need legal permission via a warrant in most cases. The process ensures fairness.
There are several kinds of warrants used in Lenawee County. Each serves a distinct goal. Each has its own rules for issue.
Arrest Warrants: A judge issues these to arrest someone. This person is accused of a crime. A complaint must be filed first. There must be reasonable cause to think the person did the crime. See Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) section 764.1. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(jmql0gzdkpvwnzr1nqyjdjgh))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-764-1
Search Warrants: These allow police to search a specific place. They look for evidence of a crime. Or they look for a person. They need an affidavit. This sworn paper must show probable cause. It must list the place to search. It must list what they look for. Judges can even issue these by email or fax now. See MCL 780.651. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(jmql0gzdkpvwnzr1nqyjdjgh))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-780-651
Bench Warrants: A judge issues these from the "bench." This often happens if someone skips court. Or if they break a court rule. It orders police to arrest the person. Then they must bring them to court.
Probation Violation Warrants: If someone is on probation and breaks the rules, this warrant may be issued. A probation agent may request it. It leads to the person's arrest. They face a hearing on the violation.
There are official ways to check for warrants in Lenawee County. You can contact the Sheriff's Office. You can check court records. State resources can also help. Avoid non official sites. Use direct county and state sources for accuracy. A Lenawee County Warrant Search should rely on these official channels.
The Sheriff's Records Division is a main contact point. You can call them during their business hours. Ask about active warrants for a specific person. Be ready to give the full name. A date of birth is very helpful. You can also email your request to sheriffrecords@lenawee.mi.us. If you prefer, you can go in person. Their office is at 405 N. Winter Street in Adrian. Remember their hours. They are open Monday to Thursday until 4:30 PM. They close at noon on Fridays. Calling ahead is often a good first step. They can tell you what info they need. They can confirm if they handle that type of request. This method checks warrants the Sheriff's office may be aware of or tasked to serve. It's a direct way to inquire locally.
Courts issue warrants. Their records may show warrant status. This often relates to specific court cases. For cases like misdemeanors or traffic issues, check the 2A District Court. You can call them at 517-264-4675. Or visit their clerk's office on the 1st floor of the Rex B. Martin Judicial Building. For major crimes (felonies), check the 39th Circuit Court. Their clerk is on the 3rd floor. Call them at 517-264-4597. Note that the Circuit Court requires mailed or in-person filings; they don't use email for official papers. An important online tool is the MiCourt Case Search portal: https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/. You can search cases by name or case number. For Lenawee District Court cases, be sure to select "2A District - Lenawee" in the court selection menu. This portal covers many Michigan courts. It can show case status which might include warrant details.
Beyond county offices, state databases can help. The Michigan Department of Corrections has the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS). Link: https://mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2/otis2.html. This shows info on people in prison. It also shows those on parole or probation supervised by the state. It only includes data from the last three years of MDOC supervision. It will not show all local warrants. Another key tool is the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Link: https://apps.michigan.gov/ichat/home.aspx (or find via MSP website). This provides state criminal history checks. There is a fee ($10) per search. It shows convictions. It might not show all active warrants, especially minor ones. But it is part of a full check. Always confirm info found online with the source agency (court or sheriff).
A successful Lenawee County Warrant Search through official channels can provide key details. You might learn if an active warrant exists for a person. The search may reveal the type of warrant, such as arrest, bench, or search warrant. Often, the reason for the warrant is available. This could be the specific criminal charge. It might be for failing to appear in court. Sometimes, you can find out which court issued the warrant. The level of detail can vary. It depends on the source and the type of warrant. The Sheriff's office might confirm an active warrant they must serve. Court records show warrants linked to specific cases.
Finding out you have an active warrant is serious. You must deal with it. Ignoring a warrant does not make it go away. It can lead to arrest at any time. This could happen during a traffic stop. Or police might come to your home or work. Having an outstanding warrant can cause more legal trouble.
If you learn there is a warrant for you in Lenawee County, take action.
Seek Legal Advice: Talk to a lawyer right away. An attorney understands the system. They can explain your options. They can protect your rights.
Follow Counsel's Guidance: Your lawyer will advise the best way to proceed. This might involve contacting the court. Or it might mean contacting the Sheriff's office. Do not contact them without speaking to your lawyer first.
Arrange Surrender: Often, the safest way to handle a warrant is to turn yourself in. Your lawyer can usually arrange this. This allows for a planned, controlled process. It avoids a sudden public arrest.
A Lenawee County Warrant Search is specific. Other public records searches give different information. Knowing the difference is helpful. Criminal records show past convictions. Court records detail case proceedings. FOIA allows access to many government documents.
Warrants are orders for future action (arrest or search). Criminal records detail past events. They show arrests and convictions. They form a person's criminal history. You can get Lenawee County criminal records from the Sheriff's Office Records Division. Use the same contact info as for warrants. The Michigan State Police ICHAT tool provides statewide checks. The Sheriff's Office also offers fingerprinting services. These are needed for some background checks or licenses. They do fingerprinting on Mondays and Thursdays, 9 AM to 4 PM. Check requirements first. For example, CPL applicants need prior paperwork from the County Clerk.
Beyond warrants, you can find other court data. Case files for civil disputes are public. Family court records (divorce, custody) are often public, but some parts may be sealed. Criminal case dockets show filings, hearings, and outcomes. You can access these through the Lenawee County District Court or Circuit Court clerks. The MiCourt online portal is also a great resource for viewing case information from many Michigan courts, including Lenawee's.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to access many public records. This includes records held by the Sheriff's Office or courts, unless exempt by law. You can file a FOIA request for specific documents. Lenawee County likely has FOIA request forms available. Check the county website or contact the specific department (like the Sheriff's Office). The state law is found in MCL 15.231 to 15.246. Link: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(jmql0gzdkpvwnzr1nqyjdjgh))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Act-442-of-1976. Using FOIA might get you copies of police reports or specific court documents, depending on availability and exemptions.