Thank you for visiting this page. We aim to provide helpful details for your Livingston County warrant search. Our goal is to give you the facts you need. We will do our best to help you find clear information about warrants in this area.
If you want to start searching right away, you can check resources online. Go to https://michiganwarrantrecords.com/livingston-county-warrant-search/ to begin your Livingston County warrant search. This site offers a way to look for warrant details. Please use it if you need fast access. Be sure to read their terms and use the tool with care. It may help you find the warrant information you seek quickly.
A warrant is a legal order. A judge or magistrate issues it. It gives police the power to act. This act could be an arrest. It could also be a search. Warrants rest on good cause. This means there is reason to think a crime took place. Or that proof of a crime is in a place. Michigan law guides how warrants work. The process must follow state rules.
There are different kinds of warrants. An arrest warrant orders police to arrest a person. This person is thought to have done a crime. Crimes can be big (felony) or small (misdemeanor). A bench warrant is different. A judge issues it from the bench. This often happens if you miss court. Or if you fail to pay fines. Search warrants let police search a place. They look for proof of a crime. Most personal searches look for arrest or bench warrants. Knowing the type helps you know what to do next.
Finding out if you have a warrant needs care. You should use official sources. This keeps the facts right. It also protects your rights. The main places to check are the Sheriff's Office and the county courts. They hold the most current warrant data. You can ask them in person or by phone. Some may offer online tools too. Be ready to give your full name. Your date of birth is also key. These details help them find the right record. Always be polite when you ask. Staff are there to help you find public facts.
The Sheriff's Office often handles warrants. They serve warrants issued by courts. Their records division keeps track of these. You can ask about warrants here. Call them or go in person. Ask for the Records Division. They handle requests for public information. Be aware of their hours for visits. They can tell you if a warrant exists. They can also explain the next steps.
Address: 150 S Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 546-2440 (Non-Emergency / Records)
Hours: General office hours are usually Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM or 5 PM. Call to confirm Records Division hours for public access.
The 53rd District Court handles many cases. These include misdemeanors. It also handles traffic tickets. Bench warrants often come from this court. This happens if you miss a court date. Or if you owe court fines. You can contact the court clerk. Ask them about active warrants in your name. They have access to court case files. This court allows walk-ins for warrant issues. You can appear Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. This is a key way to address some warrants directly. Be sure to bring your ID.
Address: Judicial Center, 204 S Highlander Way, Suite 1, Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 548-1000
Fax: (517) 548-9445
Hours: Court offices are typically open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Note the specific 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM time for warrant appearances.
The 44th Circuit Court handles major cases. This includes all felony criminal matters. Warrants for felonies are issued through this court. The County Clerk acts as the Clerk of the Circuit Court. You can contact the Clerk's office. Ask about felony case records or warrants. They manage these important files. Like the District Court, they are in the Judicial Center. Accessing felony warrant information might need specific steps. The Clerk can guide you.
Address: Judicial Center, 204 S Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843 (Check suite number if needed)
Phone: (517) 546-9816 (Circuit Court Clerk)
Fax: (517) 548-4219
Hours: Generally open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Call to confirm specific office hours.
To help staff find records, give clear details. You will need:
Your full legal name.
Your date of birth.
Any other names you have used (aliases).
Your driver's license number might help too.
Case number, if you know it.
Some online tools can help your search. But know their limits. Official state and county sites are best. They give the most direct facts. Third-party sites exist but check their source. Always try to use the official government tools first. This ensures you get valid data.
Michigan courts offer an online tool. It is called MiCOURT Case Search. You can find it on the Michigan Courts website. Use this tool to look up court cases. You can search by name or case number. It shows public case information. This includes cases in Livingston County courts. Both the 53rd District Court and 44th Circuit Court use it. The search might show case status. It could hint at a warrant if a case is open. But it may not list all active warrants directly. Especially if a warrant has not yet been served. It is a good place to start checking court records.
Link: Visit the Michigan Courts Case Search page. You can select Livingston County courts.
How: Enter the person's name and birth year. Or enter the case number. Read the terms before you search.
Cost: This search is free for public registers of action.
The Michigan State Police run ICHAT. This stands for Internet Criminal History Access Tool. It lets you search public criminal records. The search costs a fee per name checked. Currently, the fee is $10. ICHAT shows Michigan conviction records. It also shows arrests that led to charges. It may show information linked to a warrant. For example, the original charge for a bench warrant. But ICHAT is not a real-time warrant list. It shows history, not always current warrant status. Use it for background checks, not just warrant checks.
Link: Access the ICHAT tool.
Purpose: Checks Michigan criminal history records.
Fee: $10 per search.
Finding out you have a warrant can be scary. It is a serious legal issue. An active warrant means police can arrest you. This can happen at any time. It could be during a traffic stop. Or if police contact you for any reason. Warrants do not just go away. You need to deal with them. Ignoring a warrant can lead to more problems. This might include new charges. It could affect your driver's license too. Taking steps to fix it is key.
An active warrant has real results. Here are some things that can happen:
Arrest: Police can arrest you anywhere in Michigan. Sometimes, warrants allow arrest in other states too.
Traffic Stops: A simple stop can lead to arrest if a warrant shows up.
Jail Time: You might be held in jail until you see a judge.
License Suspension: Some warrants, like for unpaid tickets, can affect your license.
Job Issues: Warrants can show up on some background checks.
Sometimes scams involve fake warrants. Someone might call saying you owe money. They might threaten arrest if you do not pay fast. Real warrants are served by police. Or you find out through official court or sheriff contact. Always check with the official source. Call the Livingston County Sheriff's Office. Or call the court clerk at the 53rd District or 44th Circuit Court. Use the official phone numbers. Do not use numbers given by a caller. Confirm any warrant directly with the agency said to have issued it.
If you confirm a warrant exists, act fast. Do not wait for an arrest. Taking action yourself looks better. It shows you want to fix the issue. The right steps depend on the warrant type. A bench warrant for fines might just need payment. An arrest warrant for a crime needs a court appearance. Getting legal advice is often wise. An attorney can explain your options. They can help you through the process.
What should you do first?
Contact the Issuing Agency: Call the court clerk (District or Circuit) or Sheriff's Office. Ask about the warrant details. Find out the reason and any bond amount.
Seek Legal Advice: Talk to a lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand the charge. They can advise on how to proceed. The State Bar of Michigan offers lawyer referral services. You might find local legal aid resources too. Look for the Livingston County Bar Association for local help.
Understand the Warrant: Know if it is for failure to appear, failure to pay, or a new charge. This affects how you resolve it.
Your options depend on the warrant type:
Pay Fines: If it is a bench warrant for unpaid fines or costs, paying them might clear the warrant. Check with the court clerk first. Ask about the total amount due. Find out how to pay. The 53rd District Court offers online payment options.
Appear in Court: For many warrants, you must see a judge. This applies to failure to appear warrants. It also applies to arrest warrants for new charges. You might be able to walk in during set times. The 53rd District Court has walk-in times (M-F, 9:00-9:30 AM). Or you may need to schedule a hearing. Your lawyer can help arrange this.
Bond: If there is a bond amount set, paying it might get you released after arrest. Or it might be needed to get a court date without being held.
Sometimes, turning yourself in is the best choice. This is often true for felony warrants. It shows you are taking it seriously. You can arrange this with a lawyer. Or you can go directly to the Sheriff's Office or the court. Call ahead to ask about the process. Bring your ID. Be prepared for booking procedures if arrested. This might include photos and fingerprints. Having a lawyer arrange it can sometimes make it smoother. You might be able to post bond quickly. Or appear before a judge sooner.
Here are key contacts for warrant questions. Always call first to check hours. Also check for any specific procedures.
Handles warrant service and records.
Address: 150 S Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843
Non-Emergency Phone: (517) 546-2440
Records Division Hours: Typically Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM. Call to verify before visiting.
Website: Livingston County Sheriff's Office (Check for records info).
Handles misdemeanors, traffic, small claims. Issues many bench warrants.
Address: 204 S Highlander Way, Suite 1, Howell, MI 48843
Office Phone: (517) 548-1000
Warrant Walk-in Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM.
General Hours: Typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Website: 53rd District Court Page
Handles felonies and major civil cases.
Address: 204 S Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843
Clerk Phone: (517) 546-9816
General Hours: Typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Website: 44th Circuit Court Page
State laws control how warrants are issued and used. These laws protect people's rights. They also give police clear rules. Knowing the basics can help you.
Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) Chapter 764 covers arrest procedures. This includes warrants. Key sections like MCL 764.1 detail who can issue warrants. It explains when prosecutor approval is needed. It also covers using electronic means for warrants. The law requires probable cause for a warrant. This means facts must support the charge. Warrants must describe the person sought. They must state the offense charged.
Bench warrants are common for court issues. Failure to appear for a hearing is a main cause. Not paying court-ordered fines is another. These warrants direct police to bring the person to court. Michigan Court Rules, like MCR 6.102, touch on warrant procedures. Bench warrants are serious. They can lead to arrest just like other warrants. Resolving them usually involves contacting the court. You need to fix the issue that caused the warrant. This might mean paying money owed. Or rescheduling a missed court date.