Oakland County Warrant Search

We are glad you came to this page. We aim to give you the best help for your Oakland County Warrant Search. Our goal is to provide clear facts. We want to help you find the data you need now. Use this guide with care.

If you need to start your Oakland County Warrant Search right now, you can visit https://michiganwarrantrecords.com/oakland-county-warrant-search/. This resource may help you begin the process quickly. It offers ways to look for warrant details. Please note using online tools requires care. Always check data with official sources when you can for the best results. 

Understanding Warrants in Oakland County

What is a Warrant?

A warrant is a legal paper. A judge or magistrate issues it. It gives police the power to act. This action could be an arrest. It could be a search. Warrants are based on law. They ensure rights are safe. Police must show good cause to get one. This protects folks from random acts. Warrants are key to the justice system here.

Types of Warrants

There are a few main types of warrants. You might find these in Oakland County. Each serves a set goal.

• Arrest Warrants: A judge issues this for a crime. They need probable cause first. This means good reason to think a crime took place. And that the named person did it. Police will look for this person. They can go to their home to arrest them. An arrest warrant in Michigan does not go away on its own. It stays active until the court recalls it. You must deal with it.

• Bench Warrants: These come from the judge too. But they are for court issues. Maybe you missed a court date. Maybe you did not pay a fine. The police will not hunt for you like an arrest warrant. But if they stop you for speeding, they can arrest you then. It means you are in contempt of court. It must be cleared with the court.

• VOP Warrants: VOP means Violation of Probation. If you are on probation, you have rules. Break the rules, and a VOP warrant might issue. This lets police arrest you. You must then face the judge about the rule break.

Key Differences: Arrest vs. Bench

Arrest warrants and bench warrants both allow arrest. But they are not the same. An arrest warrant stems from a crime. Police actively look for the person. It is a serious charge. A bench warrant is about court rules. Failure to show up is common. Or not following a court order. Police do not track you down just for this. But they will arrest if they find you during other contact. Both need court action to fix.

How to Conduct an Oakland County Warrant Search: Official Methods

Looking for warrant information? Use official sources. This ensures the data is right. Public records are available. But you must know where to look. Here are the main ways in Oakland County.

Oakland County Sheriff's Office (OCSO)

The Sheriff plays a big role in warrants. The OCSO Warrants Unit handles many tasks. They enter warrants from the courts. They confirm warrants are valid. They arrest people on warrants. They help with moving folks between states if needed. They keep records of these actions. The Sheriff's Office is a key place for warrant facts.

Checking Inmate Status The Sheriff runs the Oakland County Jail. They have an online tool. It is called the Inmate Locator. You can find it via the CLEMIS system website. Or look for links on the Sheriff's main site. This tool shows who is in jail now. It lists their name and maybe a photo. It shows booking date and charges. It may list bond amount if set. This helps see if someone was arrested on a warrant. It does not search for unserved warrants.

Contacting the OCSO You can reach the OCSO for general questions.

• Main Address: 1200 N. Telegraph Rd, Bldg 38E, Pontiac, MI 48341

• General Information Phone: (248) 858-5000

• Non-Emergency Dispatch: (248) 858-4950 (Use this for non-urgent police help)

• Inmate Information Phone: (248) 858-1800 (For questions about jail residents)

• Website: https://www.oakgov.com/government/sheriff 

• Hours: Main offices usually open during standard business hours, Monday to Friday. Call to confirm specific division hours. Dispatch and jail operations run 24/7.

Records Unit The OCSO Records Unit keeps official reports. This includes arrest reports. Getting copies often needs a formal request. This might use the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). There may be fees for copies. Check the OCSO website for FOIA forms or contact the Records Unit.

Oakland County Courts System

Courts issue warrants. Their records are vital. Oakland County has several courts. Each handles different case types. Knowing which court might have issued a warrant helps your search.

6th Judicial Circuit Court (Felonies, Major Civil) This court handles serious cases. Felonies start here or move here from district courts. Large civil suits are here too. As are divorce and custody cases.

• Clerk's Office - Legal Records Division: This office keeps the records.

  • Location: 1200 N Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341 (Inside the main courthouse)

  • Phone: (248) 858-0582

  • Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

  • Website: https://www.oakgov.com/government/clerk-register-of-deeds/court-records 

• Court Explorer Online Portal: The county offers this tool. Find it at https://courtexplorer.oakgov.com/. You can search circuit court cases. Use a person's name or case number. It shows case events (docket). It lists people involved. You can buy copies of documents online. Fees apply. Important: Court Explorer typically does not show if a case has an active warrant. It shows case status like open or closed. But not warrant status.

• In-Person Record Access: You can visit the Clerk's Legal Records Division. You can view public records there. There might be fees for copies.

Oakland County District Courts (Misdemeanors, Traffic, Small Claims) These courts handle less serious crimes. Think misdemeanors or traffic tickets. Small claims court is here too. They handle early steps in felony cases, like arraignments. Oakland County has many district courts. Each covers certain towns or cities.

• Jurisdiction Overview: You need the right court. A warrant from Royal Oak is in the 44th District Court. One from Pontiac is in the 50th District Court. Check which court serves the area in question.

• Finding Specific District Courts:

  • 43rd District Court (Ferndale, Hazel Park, Madison Heights): 305 East 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220 | Phone: (248) 547-8700

  • 44th District Court (Royal Oak): 400 East 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067 | Phone: (248) 246-3600 | Website: https://www.romi.gov/1126/Court-Case-Look-Up. Note: This court states its online search does not show warrant status. You must call or walk-in (Mon-Fri 8:00-8:30 am) to check for warrants. Be ready to post bond.

  • 45th District Court (Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge): 13600 Oak Park Boulevard, Oak Park, MI 48237 | Phone: (248) 691-7440

  • 46th District Court (Southfield, Lathrup Village, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Franklin, Southfield Twp): 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48076 | Phone: (248) 796-5800

  • 47th District Court (Farmington, Farmington Hills): 31605 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336 | Phone: (248) 871-2900

  • 48th District Court (Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Twp): 4280 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 | Phone: (248) 647-1141

  • 50th District Court (Pontiac): 70 N. Saginaw Street, Pontiac, MI 48342 | Phone: (248) 758-3800

  • 51st District Court (Waterford): 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329 | Phone: (248) 674-4655

  • 52nd District Court has four divisions:

    • 1st Division (Novi, South Lyon, Wixom, Milford): 48150 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48374 | Phone: (248) 305-6511

    • 2nd Division (Clarkston, Holly, Groveland, Independence, Brandon, Rose, Springfield, White Lake): 5850 Lorac, Clarkston, MI 48346 | Phone: (248) 625-4880

    • 3rd Division (Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oxford, Addison): 700 Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 | Phone: (248) 853-5553

    • 4th Division (Troy, Clawson): 520 W Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084 | Phone: (248) 528-0400

• MiCourt Case Search: The state offers this tool. Find it at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. You can search many district court records here. Select "Oakland" county. Then pick the specific district court. Search by name or case number. Like Court Explorer, MiCourt usually does not show active warrant status.

Oakland County Probate Court This court handles wills, estates, and guardianships. It does not usually issue arrest or bench warrants like other courts.

• Location: 1200 North Telegraph Road, Dept 457, Pontiac, MI 48341 (Courthouse Complex)

• Phone: (248) 858-0260

• Website: https://www.oakgov.com/government/courts/probate-court 

• Searching probate cases on Court Explorer needs the exact case number.

Michigan State Police (MSP)

The MSP keeps statewide records.

• Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT): Find it at https://apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/Home.aspx. This lets you search public criminal history in Michigan. You need a name and birth date. There is a fee per search ($10 as of recent checks). ICHAT shows convictions. It might show arrests leading to convictions. It does not directly state if a warrant is active now. But a past conviction could relate to a current VOP warrant.

What Information Can You Find?

When you search these official sources, what can you expect to find? The details vary by tool.

Court Case Information (Via Court Explorer/MiCourt)

These online portals provide access to public court case files. You can typically see:

• Case details like the case number and type (e.g., Civil, Criminal, Traffic).

• Names of people involved (plaintiff, defendant, attorneys).

• A list of case events, called a register of actions or docket sheet. This shows dates when filings occurred or hearings were held.

• The current status of the case, such as 'Open', 'Closed', or 'Adjudicated'.

• Final judgments, especially in civil cases.

• Crucially, these online tools often do NOT explicitly state "Active Warrant". You might see an entry for "Bench Warrant Issued" on the docket. But you cannot rely on this alone to know if it is still active. You must contact the court clerk directly to confirm current warrant status.

Inmate Information (Via Sheriff's Inmate Locator)

If a person has been arrested and booked into the Oakland County Jail, the Inmate Locator tool provides:

• Confirmation that the person is currently in jail.

• Their booking date and time.

• The charges listed at the time of booking. These might relate to a warrant.

• Any bond amount set for release.

• Where they are housed within the jail system.

• Sometimes a booking photo (mugshot).

• This tool only shows people currently in jail. It does not show outstanding warrants for people not in custody.

Criminal History Records (Via ICHAT)

A search on the Michigan State Police ICHAT system provides:

• Publicly available conviction records from Michigan courts. This includes felonies and misdemeanors.

• Details about the sentence received for those convictions.

• It may include some arrest information if it led to a conviction that is public record.

• Limitations: ICHAT does not include everything. Arrests that did not lead to conviction might not appear. Juvenile records are generally not public. Records sealed or expunged by a court order will not show. Some information is protected under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.). It does not show warrants directly.

What to Do If You Discover an Oakland County Warrant

Finding out you have a warrant can be scary. Taking action is key. Ignoring it makes things worse. Warrants in Michigan do not expire over time. They stay active until resolved by the court.

Understanding the Seriousness

An active warrant means you can be arrested at any time. This could happen during a traffic stop. Or if police come to your home for another reason. It can affect jobs, housing, and travel. Dealing with it head-on is the best path. The court sees voluntary action better than being caught.

Clearing a Bench Warrant

Bench warrants often relate to missing court or payments. Here is how to address one:

• Contact the Issuing Court: Call the clerk of the court that issued the warrant. Ask about the procedure to recall or quash the warrant. They can tell you the exact steps.

• Voluntary Surrender ("Walk-In"): Many courts allow you to appear voluntarily. Often, this is done in the morning. Go to the court clerk's office. Explain you want to address a bench warrant. You will likely see a judge or magistrate that day. This shows you are taking it seriously.

• Posting Bond: The judge might set a bond amount. You may need to pay this to be released. Be ready to pay with cash or credit card. The court clerk or jail can tell you payment options.

• Consult an Attorney: A lawyer can guide you. They can contact the court for you. They can advise you on what to expect.

Addressing an Arrest Warrant

Arrest warrants stem from criminal charges. These are more serious.

• Legal Counsel is Crucial: Do not try to handle this alone. Contact a criminal defense attorney right away. They know the system. They can protect your rights.

• Attorney Can Arrange Surrender: Your lawyer can often contact the police or prosecutor. They can arrange a time for you to turn yourself in. This can be less stressful than a surprise arrest. Your lawyer might also argue for a lower bond.

Pretrial Services Information

Oakland County Pretrial Services may be involved if bond conditions are set. They supervise people released before trial. They can answer questions about bond rules.

• Phone: (248) 451-2310

• Address: 250 Elizabeth Lake Road, Suite 1520, Pontiac, MI 48341

• Website: https://www.oakgov.com/government/pretrial-justice-services 

Important Contact Information and Resources

Here are key contacts for your Oakland County Warrant Search:

• Oakland County Sheriff's Office:

  • Address: 1200 N. Telegraph Rd, Bldg 38E, Pontiac, MI 48341

  • Phone: (248) 858-5000

  • Website: https://www.oakgov.com/government/sheriff 

• Oakland County Clerk - Legal Records Division (Circuit Court):

  • Address: 1200 N Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341

  • Phone: (248) 858-0582

  • Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

  • Website: https://www.oakgov.com/government/clerk-register-of-deeds/court-records 

• Oakland County Courts Main Page: (Links to Circuit, District, Probate Courts)

  • Website: https://www.oakgov.com/government/courts 

• Michigan Courts Public Case Search (MiCourt & others):

  • Website: https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ 

• Michigan State Police ICHAT (Criminal History):

  • Website: https://apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/Home.aspx (Fee applies)

• Michigan Legislature (State Laws):

  • Website: http://www.legislature.mi.gov (Search for laws like the Code of Criminal Procedure or FOIA)

• Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): Governs access to public records. (MCL 15.231 et seq.).