We appreciate you stopping by. Our team will try hard to help you with your search for Ingham County Criminal Records. We want to give you the best facts. This page aims to guide you well.
If you want to begin looking for Ingham County Criminal Records now, you can visit https://michiganofficialrecords.com/ingham-county-criminal-records/. This resource can help you start your check right away. Many people find it useful to start their quest there. It offers a way to check public records. Please know this link is offered for your ease. It can help you find the details you need on Ingham County Criminal Records.
Ingham County Criminal Records are official files. They show a person's past crime acts in the area. These acts must have gone through the court system. The records list dates, crime types, court steps, and results. These files are kept by courts and police. They are part of public records in many cases. This means you can ask to see them. Some rules apply to who can see what parts. These rules aim to keep some facts safe.
These records hold key details. You might find the person's name and birth date. Case numbers help track the crime. The type of crime, like a mild crime or a major one, is listed. Dates of the crime, arrest, and court steps are key. The court's choice, like guilty or not guilty, is noted. The final sentence, like jail time or a fine, is part of the record too. Police reports and court notes may also be part of the file. Access helps keep the public safe and informed.
Records cover two main types of crimes.
Felonies: These are serious crimes. They often lead to state prison time of more than one year. The 30th Circuit Court handles felony cases in Ingham County. Examples include major theft, assault, or drug sales.
Misdemeanors: These are less serious crimes. They often mean jail time of one year or less. Fines are also common. The 54A and 54B District Courts handle these cases. Examples include small theft, simple assault, or drunk driving.
A criminal record in Ingham County may hold many details. This list shows common items found:
Full Name and any known aliases.
Date of Birth.
Physical traits like height, weight, hair, and eye color.
Case Number assigned by the court.
Date and type of offense.
Arrest date and the police agency involved.
Court dates and specific court (Circuit or District).
Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest).
Conviction details or if the case was dropped.
Sentencing information (jail time, probation, fines).
Status of probation or parole.
You can find Ingham County Criminal Records at a few key spots. Each place holds certain types of records. You need to know where to look. This depends on the crime type and case stage.
The Ingham County Clerk keeps many public records. But, they mainly deal with vital records like birth, death, and marriage. They also handle business names and passport forms. While they may not hold court case files directly, they can guide you. They can tell you which court might have the records you need. The office staff knows the county system well. They can point you to the right court clerk.
Location: 341 S. Jefferson, P.O. Box 179, Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 676-7201
Email: clerk@ingham.org
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM for lunch)
Website: https://clerk.ingham.org/
This court handles serious cases. It deals with all felony criminal matters. Civil cases over $25,000 are heard here too. All family law cases go through this court. This includes divorce, child care, and child pay cases. Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) are also filed here. This court hears appeals from the District Courts as well. It is a key place for major crime records.
Accessing Circuit Court Records
You can look for Circuit Court records in a few ways. An online search tool is offered by Ingham County Courts. Find it at https://courts.ingham.org/CourtRecordSearch/. This tool lets you search by name or case number. But, be aware of its limits. PPO cases are not shown online. Not all family case papers are online either. The online search results are not the full official record. Common names can also make it hard to find the right person. For the full, official record, you must go to the Circuit Court Clerk's office. They are part of the County Clerk's team handling court files.
Location and Contact Information
Location: Veterans Memorial Courthouse, 313 W. Kalamazoo Street, 1st Floor, Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-6500
Hours: General court hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Check specific clerk window hours.
District Courts handle less serious crimes. These are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail. They also manage traffic tickets and small civil cases. Landlord and tenant disputes start here too. There are two main District Courts in Ingham County.
54A District Court (Lansing)
This court serves the City of Lansing. It handles misdemeanors, traffic issues, and small claims within Lansing. You can often pay fines or check case status online. For full records, you may need to contact the court clerk.
Location: City Hall, 124 W. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (General number, check specific division) (517) 483-4443 (This number seems associated with Lansing City Hall general info, verify specific court number if needed)
Website: (Often part of the City of Lansing site) Check https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.lansingmi.gov/183/54-A-District-Court
54B District Court (East Lansing)
This court serves the City of East Lansing. It handles similar cases to the 54A court but for East Lansing. They offer help through email, phone, and a virtual counter. The virtual counter is open Monday-Friday from 9 AM-12 PM and 1 PM-4 PM. You can get forms and pay fines online too.
Location: 101 Linden Street, East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 351-7000 (Main Line)
Criminal Division: (517) 336-8630
Traffic Division: (517) 351-4568
Emails:
Criminal: 54BCriminal@cityofeastlansing.com
Traffic: 54BTraffic@cityofeastlansing.com
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Check specific division/virtual counter hours)
Website: https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/676/54B-District-Court
The Sheriff plays a key role in law enforcement. They handle arrests and crime reports. Their records often relate to the start of a criminal case. They keep arrest logs and incident reports. These are not the same as court conviction records. But they are part of the wider picture of Ingham County Criminal Records. The Sheriff also offers fingerprinting services. This is needed for some background checks and licenses.
Requesting Reports
You can ask for reports like accident or incident reports. The Sheriff's office may have an online request form. Check their website for this option. You can also go in person to ask for reports. Fees may apply for copies.
Fingerprinting Services
The Sheriff offers fingerprinting for the public. This is often needed for jobs or licenses. You need picture ID. There is a fee for this service.
Location: 630 N. Cedar Street, Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 676-2431 (General line, option 4 often relates to records/fingerprinting based on search results)
Fingerprinting Hours: Usually Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (No appointment needed per search result, but best to call first).
Fingerprinting Cost: Around $59.25 (subject to change, confirm cost). Cash, check, or card may be accepted.
Website: http://sh.ingham.org/
For a wider check beyond just Ingham County, use ICHAT. This is run by the Michigan State Police (MSP). It is the state's official tool for public criminal history checks.
ICHAT stands for Internet Criminal History Access Tool. It allows anyone to search the MSP's public criminal record database. This file holds convictions reported from all 83 Michigan counties. It includes felonies and serious misdemeanors. Those are crimes with jail time over 93 days. It is a key resource for background checks in Michigan.
ICHAT shows Michigan convictions. It also shows cases still pending in court. But it has limits. It does not show:
Records that have been expunged or sealed.
Active warrants for arrest.
Federal crime records.
Tribal court records.
Criminal records from other states. To check records in other states, you must contact those states.
Anyone can use ICHAT. You need the person's full name and date of birth. You do not need a social security number. There is a fee of $10 for each search performed. You pay online. Government agencies and some non-profits can register for free use. This is for screening staff and volunteers who work with kids or older adults. They must apply for an agency code.
Results are shown online right after payment. You can view and print them. The results stay online for seven days only. They are not mailed. Make sure the name and birth date are correct before you pay. Wrong data entry will still cost the fee.
Access ICHAT Portal: https://apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/Login.aspx
ICHAT Help Desk: (517) 241-0606 (8 AM - 5 PM, Mon-Fri)
ICHAT Info Page: https://apps.michigan.gov/
A criminal record can create big hurdles. It can affect jobs, homes, and school chances. Michigan law allows some people to clear their records. This process is often called expungement or setting aside a conviction.
Expungement means removing a conviction from public view. In Michigan, the term "set aside" is used in the law. When a conviction is set aside, it is hidden from public checks. Employers and landlords doing background checks will not see it. But, police and courts can still access the information. This helps people move past old mistakes. It opens doors to better chances in life. Michigan passed "Clean Slate" laws in 2020. These laws greatly grew who can get an expungement.
Understanding Michigan's Clean Slate Law
The Clean Slate laws made big changes. More types of crimes can now be set aside. The number of crimes a person can set aside grew. It also set up automatic expungement for some crimes. This means some records clear on their own after time. You do not have to ask the court. But not all crimes clear automatically. You still might need to file a petition with the court.
Eligibility Criteria
Who can get an expungement depends on many things. The type of crime matters. The number of past convictions is key. How much time has passed is also vital.
Misdemeanors: There is no limit on how many regular misdemeanors can be set aside.
Felonies: Up to three felony convictions can be set aside. But there are rules. Multiple crimes from the same event within 24 hours often count as one felony for this rule.
Assaultive Crimes: Limits apply. Usually, no more than two assaultive crimes can be set aside. Having more than one may stop automatic expungement for any crime.
Automatic vs. Petitioned Expungement
Clean Slate brought automatic expungement in April 2023. Eligible minor crimes clear after 7 years. Eligible felonies clear after 10 years. This wait time starts after the sentence, probation, or jail time ends (whichever is latest). But, many crimes do not qualify for automatic clearing. These include assault crimes, serious misdemeanors (like DUI), and crimes of dishonesty. For these, or if you want your record cleared sooner, you must file a petition. You ask the court that handled the case to set aside the conviction. The wait times for petitions are often shorter than automatic ones.
Waiting Periods
Wait times count from the latest of these dates: sentence date, end of probation, discharge from parole, or release from jail/prison.
Regular Misdemeanors: 3 years wait to petition. 7 years for automatic.
Serious Misdemeanors or One Felony: 5 years wait to petition. 10 years for automatic (if eligible).
More than One Felony: 7 years wait to petition. Not eligible for automatic.
Offenses Not Eligible for Expungement
Some crimes can never be set aside in Michigan. These include:
Crimes punishable by life in prison.
Many Criminal Sexual Conduct offenses.
Certain child abuse crimes.
Traffic offenses causing death or serious injury.
Felony domestic violence (if prior misdemeanor domestic violence exists).
Some DUI offenses (Note: First offense OWI became eligible for petition in 2023).
Relevant Michigan Law
The main law is the Code of Criminal Procedure, Act 175 of 1927. Specific sections cover setting aside convictions. You can find the law here:
Setting Aside Convictions Law: MCL 780.621 et seq.
Automatic Expungement Details: MCL 780.621g
Getting help from a lawyer is wise. They can check your record. They can tell you if you qualify. They can help file the court papers. Legal aid groups may offer free help too. This process can seem complex. Good advice helps ensure you follow all steps right.
Ingham County Clerk
Address: 341 S. Jefferson, Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 676-7201
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 5 PM (Closed Lunch 12:30 PM-1:30 PM)
30th Circuit Court (Clerk located within County Clerk)
Courthouse Address: 313 W. Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-6500
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 5 PM
54A District Court (Lansing)
Address: 124 W. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-4443 (Verify specific division needed)
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 4:30 PM (Confirm hours)
54B District Court (East Lansing)
Address: 101 Linden Street, East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 351-7000
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Ingham County Sheriff
Address: 630 N. Cedar Street, Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 676-2431
Hours: Office Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 5 PM (Fingerprinting 8 AM - 4 PM)
Michigan State Police (ICHAT Help)
Phone: (517) 241-0606
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 5 PM