Criminal records in Bay County, Michigan, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. BayMICourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Bay County. Additional access points include the statewide MiCOURT case search portal, the Michigan State Police criminal history database, the Bay County Sheriff's Office, and the Bay County Clerk's Office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Bay County
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Bay County. The approach you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- BayMICourt.us — Search for publicly available Bay County court record information by name or case number.
- MiCOURT Case Search — The statewide Michigan court case search portal. Search by party name, case number, or attorney across all Michigan trial courts, including the Bay County 18th Circuit Court and 74th District Court. Note that certain records are restricted from public view under Michigan and federal law.
- Michigan State Police ICHAT — The Internet Criminal History Access Tool provides name-based public criminal history background checks from records maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. A fee applies per search.
- Michigan OTIS Offender Search — Search for individuals currently or formerly under the supervision of the Michigan Department of Corrections. This tool does not include county jail inmates.
- Bay County Online Services — Access court dockets, court case files, and the 74th District Court online case review through the county's portal.
What You Need to Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
- Court type — Circuit Court handles felonies and appeals; District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary felony examinations
In-Person Searches
You can search court records in person at the Bay County Court Facility. Public access terminals or assistance from clerk staff may be available. Court records requests are handled at the court facility:
The Bay County Clerk's Office can also assist with court-related record inquiries:
By Mail or Written Request
Written requests for criminal records can be submitted to the Bay County Clerk's Office at the address above. For law enforcement records such as police or accident reports, contact the Bay County Sheriff's Records Division. You may also submit a FOIA request for public records held by county departments.
For a statewide criminal history record check by mail, non-Michigan residents can contact any law enforcement agency in their state and request a Michigan criminal history check through the Michigan State Police.
Search Bay County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Michigan uses a standardized case number format across its courts. Understanding the format helps you locate specific cases quickly.
A typical Michigan case number looks like this: 25-1234-FH
- 25 — The two-digit year the case was filed (2025)
- 1234 — The sequential case number assigned by the court
- FH — The case-type code indicating the nature and severity of the charge
Common Criminal Case-Type Codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FH | Felony — high court (Circuit Court) |
| FY | Felony — preliminary exam (District Court) |
| SM | Misdemeanor — state law |
| OM | Misdemeanor — ordinance violation |
| DL | Drunk driving |
| TI | Traffic — civil infraction |
When searching by case number on MiCOURT or through the Bay County court system, enter the full case number including the year prefix and case-type suffix. If you only have a partial number, try a party-name search instead.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Bay County
Charges
- Statute codes — Each charge references a specific section of the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL). For example, MCL 750.110a covers home invasion.
- Severity levels — Charges are classified as felonies, misdemeanors, or civil infractions. Felonies are heard in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court; misdemeanors and infractions are handled by the 74th District Court.
- Amended charges — Charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations. The case record will typically show both original and amended charges.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case is open and awaiting resolution |
| Active | Case has ongoing proceedings or supervision |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All obligations fulfilled; case is complete |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary examination — District Court hearing to determine probable cause for felony charges
- Pre-trial conference — Meeting between parties to discuss plea offers, evidence, and trial readiness
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecution declined to pursue the case |
| Deferred/delayed sentence | Sentencing postponed; charges may be dismissed upon compliance |
| Acquitted | Found not guilty after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Bay County
Court Records
Certified copies of criminal court records must be requested at the Bay County Court Facility. These requests are not handled through the county FOIA process — they go directly through the court clerk's office.
Visit in person or contact the appropriate court division:
- 18th Judicial Circuit Court — Felony cases, appeals
- 74th District Court — Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, preliminary felony examinations
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If requesting records for another person, you may need the individual's full name, date of birth, and case number.
Sheriff's Office Records
Police reports and arrest records from the Bay County Sheriff's Office can be obtained through the Records Division:
State Criminal History Records
For a certified criminal history from the state repository, submit a fingerprint-based request through the Michigan State Police. The ICHAT system provides public name-based searches online, but certified and fingerprint-based results require a formal submission. Non-residents should contact a local law enforcement agency to initiate the request.
FOIA Requests
For other county-held records, submit a written request through the Bay County FOIA Division:
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Bay County
Michigan FOIA Fee Guidelines
Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.), public bodies may charge for the cost of finding, examining, reviewing, and separating records, as well as per-page copy costs.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (standard, letter/legal) | Generally $0.10 per page (per FOIA statute) |
| Certification fee | $1.00 per certified document (standard Michigan court fee under MCL 600.2529) |
| ICHAT criminal history search | $10.00 per name search (Michigan State Police) |
| Labor costs for FOIA search/review | Hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task; first $20 in labor is free for Michigan residents |
| Mailing costs | Actual cost of postage |
Processing Times
- FOIA requests — Bay County must respond within 5 business days of receiving a written request. An extension of up to 10 additional business days is permitted under the statute.
- ICHAT searches — Results are typically returned immediately online.
- Certified court copies — Processing time varies. In-person requests at the court facility may be fulfilled the same day for simple requests. Complex or older records may take longer.
- Michigan State Police fingerprint-based checks — Processing can take several weeks depending on submission method.
Fees are subject to change. Contact the relevant office directly to confirm current costs before submitting a request.