How do I search Washtenaw County court records online?
Start with the Trial Court Search Cases & Calendar page or the Washtenaw Trial Court Public Access portal. For 14A District Court files, use the MiCOURT D14A route. Search by case number when possible. If you do not have the case number, use last name and first name. Add court and date filters to cut down the result list. For older files or sealed records, contact Clerk of the Court-Court Services at 101 E. Huron Street. The court records page walks through the full search flow.
Are Washtenaw court files covered by Michigan FOIA?
No. MCL 15.232(d)(v) excludes the judiciary, including the county clerk when acting as clerk to the circuit court, from FOIA. Court records run under Michigan Court Rule 8.119 and court office procedures. Sheriff incident reports, treasurer data, and other executive records still go through county FOIA. The 14A District Court cites the same FOIA exclusion on its own FOIA page. See the public records page for the FOIA process at the county level.
Which Washtenaw court handles felony cases?
Felony cases start in a district court for arraignment and preliminary examination. After bindover, the case moves to the 22nd Circuit Court for trial. The 22nd Circuit is the main felony trial court for Washtenaw County. Most Washtenaw felony arrests start at the 14A District Court, the 15th District Court, or the 14B District Court depending on where the arrest happened. See the arrest records page for the full criminal case flow.
What court handles misdemeanors and traffic tickets?
District courts handle misdemeanors, traffic tickets, civil infractions, landlord-tenant, small claims, and lower civil matters. In Washtenaw County, the 14A District Court has four service locations at Pittsfield, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, and Saline. The City of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Township also have separate district courts (the 15th and 14B). See the 14A District Court page and the traffic court records page for more.
Where are Washtenaw probate records?
Probate records sit with Washtenaw Probate Court at the Trial Court at 101 E. Huron Street. Search online through the Trial Court Public Access portal where available, or inspect and request through Clerk of the Court-Court Services. Probate covers estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health, and wills for safekeeping. Mental health files are restricted. The probate records page covers the full set of Washtenaw probate matters in detail.
Is there a Washtenaw County jail roster?
No official searchable public roster was captured in county sources during research. The Sheriff's incarcerated individual information page covers visit, bond, mail, money, phone, and property rules. To verify custody status, call the Sheriff's Office through the number on the sheriff page, use VINELink for custody alerts, or check the court docket for arraignment and bond status. The inmate records page walks through each route.
How do I post bond on a Washtenaw case?
Use the county jail bonding information page and the issuing court's instructions. The county page states that when a 10% bond is posted, the court keeps 10% of the posted amount and releases the bond to the bonder at the end of the case or earlier by judge order. Bond is held until the case ends; missed court can lead to forfeiture. The warrant records page covers bond on warrant cases.
Can attorneys visit clients at the Washtenaw jail?
Yes. The county jail information page states attorneys may visit clients via non-contact booth at any time, except during a jail emergency and scheduled lockdown times. Attorney visits are separate from family contact and video visits. Contact the jail intake desk to confirm scheduling. The inmate records page links the broader visit, mail, money, and phone rules used at the Washtenaw jail. See the inmate records page for more.
What system is used for inmate phone calls?
The county names Securus Technologies for inmate phone calls and voicemail. Family can set up a Securus account and add funds online. The jail records most calls; attorney calls are not recorded when the line is set up as a privileged legal call. Securus voicemail lets a caller leave a message for an incarcerated person when a live call is not possible. The inmate records page covers the full set of inmate communication rules at the Washtenaw jail.
How do I send money to an incarcerated person at the Washtenaw jail?
The county names eXpress Account as the deposit and payment system for incarcerated loved ones and mandated payments. Set up an account online and add funds to the named person's commissary. Do not send cash by mail. Bond money runs through a separate court process; do not mix bond and commissary payments. The inmate records page covers the full money, mail, and visit rules at the Washtenaw jail.
How do I get a Washtenaw marriage license?
The Washtenaw County Clerk / Register of Deeds handles marriage licenses through the Vital Records section. The county marriage license page at washtenaw.org/286 links certified copies, ceremonies, correction steps, and Michigan marriage laws. Bring photo ID and any prior marriage paperwork to apply. The marriage and divorce records page covers the full application steps, fees, and ceremony rules. The County Clerk page covers the broader office work.
Where do I get a Washtenaw divorce record?
Divorce is a family-division record inside the 22nd Circuit Court. Search the case in the Trial Court Public Access portal, then request or inspect documents through Clerk of the Court-Court Services. Friend of the Court tracks custody, parenting time, and support. Most divorce dockets are public, with sensitive identifiers redacted. The marriage and divorce records page covers the search route, the filing process, and FOC involvement in detail.
Can juvenile records be searched online?
No. Juvenile records are restricted under Michigan law and court rules. Access is limited to parties, attorneys, agencies, and others authorized by court order. Do not expect full juvenile files to appear in public case search. Adoption records are also confidential. Mental health files have their own access rules. The court records page and the probate records page cover the restricted categories in more depth.
What is a set-aside conviction in Michigan?
Michigan's expungement process is called "setting aside" a conviction. Relief may be application-based under MCL 780.621 or automatic under Clean Slate provisions such as MCL 780.621g. A set-aside conviction becomes nonpublic but is not destroyed. The Michigan State Police and courts keep a nonpublic record for limited uses. The Public Defender and the Prosecutor's Conviction Integrity & Expungement Unit can help with set-aside questions. See the arrest records page.
How do I resolve a Washtenaw warrant?
Search the court case in MiCOURT or Trial Court Public Access. If the warrant is in 14A jurisdiction, use the 14A Online Warrant Review tool. Contact the issuing court clerk before any appearance. Consult a defense attorney if you face criminal charges. Do not assume a warrant has been cleared until the court has recalled or quashed it and law enforcement systems update. The warrant records page covers the full warrant flow.
How current are Washtenaw docket calendars?
The 14A District Court general info page states that docket changes constantly occur and the docket site is directly linked to the court's case management system. Updates roll in as scheduling staff process changes. Always confirm a Washtenaw hearing date the day before. Trial Court Public Access pulls from the same circuit court case management system. The court dockets page covers each court's calendar route.
Are Washtenaw court documents free online?
Not always. Public search portals may show case summaries and the register of actions without document images. Some courts include document files; many do not. The Register of Deeds page also states that login is required to purchase land record copies. Court document copies often need an in-person counter visit or a written request, with a per-page fee. The court records page lists the fee routes.
Where can self-represented litigants get Washtenaw court forms?
Use the Michigan SCAO forms library at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms and the Washtenaw Trial Court forms page at washtenaw.org/1289. The Trial Court page states SCAO maintains the forms required for most filings. Local Washtenaw court forms supplement the SCAO set for specific local rules. The Public Defender Office and several local legal aid organizations can help eligible parties.
Who provides indigent defense in Washtenaw County?
The Washtenaw County Public Defender provides mandated representation for indigent and partially indigent persons in criminal, civil contempt, and juvenile matters. The office was established in 1971. Initial involvement usually occurs at arraignment when the accused is brought before a judge or magistrate. Assigned counsel covers cases the Public Defender cannot take. The Public Defender page is the starting point for indigent defense questions.
Who prosecutes criminal cases in Washtenaw County?
The Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney prosecutes felonies and misdemeanors charged under state law. The office also handles juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect terminations, and mental health commitments. The Prosecutor's divisions page lists child support, victim and witness, juvenile, domestic violence, criminal, the Conviction Integrity & Expungement Unit, and the Economic Justice Unit. The arrest records page covers the prosecutor's role in the broader criminal case flow.