Kalamazoo County Criminal Records

Thank you for visiting this page. We want to help you find information on Kalamazoo County Criminal Records. Our goal is to give you the details you need for your search. We will guide you to the right places.

If you want to start searching right now, you can visit https://michiganofficialrecords.com/kalamazoo-county-criminal-records/ to begin a Kalamazoo County Criminal Records check. This resource may provide a quick path for those ready to search immediately. It offers a way to access records without delay. Check their site for search options and what data they cover for Kalamazoo County criminal record needs. This may be a fast track to the data you seek.

Statewide Criminal History From Michigan State Police

Michigan maintains a central spot for criminal history. The Michigan State Police (MSP) runs this system. It is the main source for official state criminal records. This includes records from Kalamazoo County courts and police. Local Kalamazoo agencies report data to the state.

ICHAT Search Tool

MSP offers the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). This tool lets you search public criminal records. You need a person's full name and date of birth. Each search costs $10. ICHAT shows felonies. It also shows serious misdemeanors. These are crimes punishable by more than 93 days jail time. All 83 Michigan counties report this data. ICHAT does not show everything. It will not show suppressed records. Warrants are not included. It lacks federal or tribal records. Out of state records are not in ICHAT. You must check other states directly for their records. Access ICHAT here: https://apps.michigan.gov/

Fingerprint Checks and MSP Contact

MSP also allows fingerprint based checks. These offer a more detailed search. Often used for jobs or licensing. You may need to go to a local police agency. Or use an approved live scan vendor. Contact the MSP Criminal Justice Information Center for help. Their main criminal history page is https://www.michigan.gov/msp/services/chr. You can call the Central Records Division too. The phone number is (517) 241-0606. They can explain the process for different checks. This is key for official background checks.

Kalamazoo County Court Case Records

Court records are different from state criminal history. Court records show details of specific cases filed in Kalamazoo County. Most court files are public. Access is based on the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Find it at https://www.michigan.gov/ag/foia. Some records may be private by law or court rule. This might include records sealed by a judge. Or info covered by legal privilege.

9th Judicial Circuit Court Records

The 9th Circuit Court handles major cases. This includes all felony criminal cases. It also handles large civil suits over $25,000. Family law matters are heard here too. This includes divorce and child custody. The court is at the county courthouse.

• Address: 227 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

• Hours: General business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Check the court website for specific office hours or holidays.

• Phone: Call the Circuit Court Clerk at (269) 383-8837 for case questions.

• Online Search: Use the MiCOURT Case Search portal. Find it via the state court website https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. It allows searches by name or case number. Note that very old records might not be online.

• Copies: To get copies of case files, contact the Clerk's office. Fees will apply.

• Website: https://www.kalcounty.gov/courts/circuit/ 

8th District Court Records

The 8th District Court handles other case types. This includes misdemeanor criminal charges. Most traffic tickets are processed here. Small claims court cases are heard here. Landlord and tenant disputes often start here too. Civil cases under $25,000 are in this court. The court has two main locations.

• Locations:

  • Michigan Avenue Courthouse: 227 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

  • Gull Road Justice Complex: 1536 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

• Hours: Both locations generally operate Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is wise to call or check online before visiting.

• Phone: The main court number is (269) 384-8171.

• Online Search: Two options exist. The court has its own case search tool: https://www.kalcounty.com/courts/district/casesearch.htm. This may not show cases from 1969 to 1992. Use the statewide MiCOURT portal too: https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/court/D08. Public computer terminals are also at both court sites. You can use these to look up case index data for free.

• Copies: Use the online Court Record/Copy Request Form: https://www.kalcounty.com/courts/district/recordrequest.php. ou can also call the court. Note that a court memo (2020-05) states you need a case number or name for general checks. They cannot do broad searches without specifics. Fees apply for copies. Check the court's fee schedule online.

• Website: https://www.kalcounty.gov/courts/district/ 

Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office Records

The Sheriff's Office keeps records related to its duties. This includes arrest records for people they detain. They also have incident reports. These are not the same as conviction records. An arrest does not mean someone was found guilty. You often need to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get copies. Contact the Sheriff's office for their exact FOIA process.

• Address: 1500 Lamont Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

• Hours: Administrative offices typically open during standard business hours, Monday-Friday. Patrol is 24/7.

• Phone: Check the website for the correct non-emergency number.

• Inmate Search: You can see who is currently in the Kalamazoo County Jail. Use the online inmate lookup tool: https://cad.kccda911.org/NewWorld.InmateInquiry/MI3913900. This tool shows current status only. It is not a full criminal history.

• Website: https://www.kalcounty.com/sheriff/ 

City of Kalamazoo Police Records (KDPS)

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) handles city policing. They keep records of incidents within city limits. This includes police reports and accident reports. For background checks, KDPS directs people to use the state's ICHAT tool. Requesting copies of police reports usually involves contacting their Records Bureau. Fees often apply per page. Accident reports can sometimes be bought online via a vendor like LexisNexis.

• Address: 150 E Crosstown Parkway, Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI

• Hours: The Records Bureau has specific hours, usually weekdays during business hours. Call ahead.

• Phone: Records Bureau: (269) 337-8106

• Request Process: Submit a FOIA request or contact the Records Bureau.

• Website: https://www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org/Resources/Request-Records 

Kalamazoo County Clerk Role

The Kalamazoo County Clerk/Register of Deeds plays a key role. The office helps maintain official county records. This includes records filed with the courts. They also handle vital records like birth certificates. For court records, you usually go to the specific court clerk first. But the County Clerk may be involved in overall record management. You can file FOIA requests through the county's online portal.

• Address: 201 W. Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

• Phone: Clerk's Office: (269) 383-8840

• Record Requests: Use the Kalamazoo Public Records Center online or submit a FOIA request.

• Website: https://www.kalcounty.com/clerk/ 

Summary of Fees and Procedures

Getting criminal records involves steps and costs. Here is a quick guide:

• ICHAT: $10 fee for each name based search online.

• Court Copies: Fees vary by court and type of document. Check the 8th District or 9th Circuit court websites for their fee schedules. Call the clerk for exact costs.

• Police Reports (KDPS): Charged by the page. Call the KDPS Records office at (269) 337-8106 for current rates.

• FOIA: Filing a request is usually free. Copying costs may apply depending on the request size. Agencies have 5 business days to respond under Michigan Law (https://www.michigan.gov/ag/foia). Submit requests directly to the agency holding the records (Sheriff, KDPS, Court, Clerk).

Understanding Different Record Types

It helps to know the types of records available. They are not all the same.

• Criminal History Records: These are statewide records. Held by the Michigan State Police. Found via ICHAT or fingerprint checks. They show reportable convictions.

• Court Records: These are files from specific court cases. Held by the Circuit or District Court Clerk. They show charges, pleas, court actions, and sentences for that case.

• Arrest Records: These show when police detained someone. Held by the arresting agency (Sheriff or city police). An arrest does not equal a conviction.

Record Expungement in Michigan

Some criminal records might be removed from public view. Michigan has "Clean Slate" laws. These laws allow people to apply to set aside convictions. This process is called expungement. If granted, the record is no longer public. Eligibility depends on the crime type and time passed. It is a legal process. Learn more from the State of Michigan Attorney General's site: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/initiatives/clean-slate. This site explains who may qualify. It also outlines the steps to apply.