Clinton County Public Records /Clinton County Criminal Records

Clinton County Criminal Records

What Is Clinton County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Clinton County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies across the county and state, each responsible for a distinct segment of the criminal justice process.

Key distinctions exist among the types of records maintained:

Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody, while a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration; misdemeanors are lesser offenses typically resulting in fines or shorter jail terms.
Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public under applicable law. Juvenile records are routinely sealed or expunged upon the subject reaching adulthood, pursuant to state statute, and are not available for general public inspection.
Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for an individual's arrest, while historical records document past proceedings that have reached final disposition.

The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in Clinton County include:

Clinton County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking logs, and jail rosters
Clinton County Circuit Court and District Court — maintains case files, charges, arraignments, pleas, trial records, sentencing orders, and probation or parole documentation
Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC) — maintains the statewide criminal history repository
Local municipal police departments — maintain incident and arrest reports within their respective jurisdictions

Criminal records encompass charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and any subsequent probation or parole conditions.

Clinton County Sheriff's Office 1347 E. Stoll Road, St. Johns, MI 48879 (989) 224-5200 Clinton County Sheriff's Office

Clinton County Circuit Court 100 E. State Street, St. Johns, MI 48879 (989) 224-5140 Clinton County Circuit Court

Are Criminal Records Public In Clinton County

Criminal records in Clinton County are generally accessible to members of the public under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq., which establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by state and local government bodies. Under current law, adult conviction records, court case proceedings, sentencing information, and booking data are considered public records subject to disclosure.

The following categories of records are available for public inspection:

Adult conviction records and court dispositions
Felony and misdemeanor case filings and outcomes
Sentencing orders, including fines, probation terms, and incarceration lengths
Publicly filed court documents and docket entries
Jail rosters and booking information

Certain records are restricted from public disclosure under applicable law:

Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed pursuant to the Michigan Juvenile Code, MCL § 712A.28
Expunged or set-aside conviction records following a court order under Michigan's Clean Slate Law
Confidential informant identities and protected witness information
Mental health and medical records incorporated into criminal proceedings

Members of the public seeking access to court records may also reference the Michigan Supreme Court's administrative policies governing court record access, which complement FOIA provisions and establish uniform standards across all Michigan trial courts.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clinton County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain criminal records in Clinton County through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.

Step 1 — Identify the appropriate agency. Determine whether the record sought is a court case record, an arrest or booking record, or a comprehensive criminal history. Court records are held by the Clinton County Circuit or District Court; arrest records are held by the Sheriff's Office or local police; statewide criminal histories are maintained by the Michigan State Police.

Step 2 — Submit a FOIA request or use available public access tools. For records held by the Clinton County Circuit Court or District Court, members of the public may visit the clerk's office in person during public counter hours or submit a written FOIA request. The Clinton County Clerk's office, which serves as the clerk of the Circuit Court, accepts requests by mail, in person, or via email.

Step 3 — Request a Michigan criminal history through the Michigan State Police. Individuals seeking a comprehensive statewide criminal history record may submit a request through the Michigan State Police ICHAT system, the official internet-based criminal history access tool. A fee applies to third-party searches.

Step 4 — Provide required identifying information. Requests typically require the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and, where available, a state identification number or case number to ensure accurate record retrieval.

Step 5 — Pay applicable fees. Fees for copies of public records are governed by FOIA and the court's fee schedule. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances.

Clinton County Clerk's Office 100 E. State Street, St. Johns, MI 48879 (989) 224-5140 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Clinton County Clerk

Michigan State Police — Criminal Justice Information Center 7150 Harris Drive, Dimondale, MI 48821 (517) 241-0606 Michigan State Police CJIC

How To Find Criminal Records in Clinton County Online?

Several official online portals provide public access to Clinton County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.

Michigan Odyssey Case Search (MyCase): The Michigan One Court of Justice provides the Michigan Courts Case Search portal, which allows members of the public to search circuit and district court case records statewide, including Clinton County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal displays case type, filing date, charges, and disposition information. No registration is required for basic searches.

Michigan State Police ICHAT: The ICHAT portal provides internet-based access to Michigan criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police. Third-party searches require a fee; self-searches are available at a reduced rate. Users must create an account and provide identifying information before conducting a search.

Clinton County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster: The Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintains a current jail roster on its official website, listing individuals currently held in the county jail. This resource reflects active bookings and does not constitute a comprehensive criminal history.

Distinctions between online and in-person records: Certain older case records, sealed documents, and records predating electronic filing may only be available through in-person inspection at the clerk's office. Online portals reflect records that have been entered into the electronic case management system and may not include all historical filings.

Can You Search Clinton County Criminal Records for Free?

Under MCL § 15.234, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge; fees may only be assessed for the actual cost of duplication or for the labor required to separate exempt from non-exempt material. Inspection of records in person at the Clinton County Clerk's office or Sheriff's Office does not require payment of a fee.

The following resources are currently available at no cost:

Michigan Courts Case Search (MyCase): Free public access to circuit and district court case records, including Clinton County, with no registration required for basic name or case number searches
Clinton County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster: Free online access to current booking and detention information
In-person record inspection: Members of the public may inspect court records and arrest logs at the clerk's office or Sheriff's Office during regular business hours without charge

Fees apply when requesting certified copies of court documents, printed copies of records, or comprehensive criminal history reports through the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. The ICHAT self-search fee and third-party search fee are established by the Michigan State Police and are subject to periodic revision.

What's Included in a Clinton County Criminal Record?

A complete criminal record in Clinton County may contain information drawn from multiple agencies and proceedings. The specific contents vary depending on the source of the record.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number where assigned

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at arrest
Bail or bond amount set
Jail facility where held

Court Case Information:

Case number and court of jurisdiction
Filing date and case type (felony, misdemeanor, civil infraction)
Charges and applicable statutes, including offense class
Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
Attorney of record and prosecuting authority

Disposition Information:

Verdict or case outcome
Conviction date where applicable
Sentencing details, including incarceration length, fines, restitution, and probation or parole conditions
Appeals filed and outcomes
Probation or parole supervision status

Additional Record Elements:

Active or recalled warrants
Protective or personal protection orders
Sex offender registration status
DUI/OWI convictions and related sanctions
Traffic violations adjudicated in district court
Pending charges not yet resolved

How Long Does Clinton County Keep Criminal Records?

Retention periods for criminal records in Clinton County are governed by Michigan law and the records retention schedules established by the Michigan Supreme Court and the State of Michigan Records Management Services.

Under the Michigan Trial Court Case File Management Standards, the following general retention periods apply:

Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the court
Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of seven years following final disposition; many courts retain these records permanently
Acquittal and dismissed case records: Retained for a minimum of one year following dismissal, subject to applicable expungement orders
Arrest records without conviction: Retained by law enforcement agencies subject to applicable state retention schedules; individuals may petition for expungement under Michigan's Clean Slate Law
Juvenile adjudication records: Retained until the subject reaches age 30, after which records may be destroyed pursuant to MCL § 712A.28, unless the offense involved a serious felony
Sex offender registration records: Retained for the duration of the registration period, which may be 15 years, 25 years, or lifetime depending on the offense

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget oversees statewide records retention schedules applicable to law enforcement agencies, including the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. Agencies are required to comply with approved retention and disposal schedules and may not destroy records outside of those parameters.

Clinton County District Court 100 E. State Street, St. Johns, MI 48879 (989) 224-5150 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Clinton County District Court