Clare County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clare County in 2026
ClareRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to criminal records in Clare County, Michigan. Members of the public seeking to look up criminal records in Clare County may find data drawn from court filings, arrest logs, booking records, and other sources maintained by county and state agencies. The information available through such resources may include, but is not limited to, the following record categories:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Jail and inmate records
- Probation and sentencing information
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public at present.
1. County Court Records
Clare County is served by the 55th Circuit Court and the 80th District Court, both located in Harrison, Michigan. Members of the public may visit the courthouse in person to inspect court records at the public access terminal located in the clerk's office. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate date of birth or case number.
Clare County Circuit Court Clerk
225 W. Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Clare County Official Website
Clare County 80th District Court
225 W. Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7109
Available Courts – MiFILE
2. Sheriff's Office
The Clare County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, inmate rosters, and booking records. Members of the public may submit records requests in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records.
Clare County Sheriff's Office
255 W. 5th Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7166
Clare County Sheriff
3. Online Court Search
The MiCOURT Case Search portal, maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court, allows members of the public to search court case records statewide, including Clare County. Users may search by party name, case number, or date of birth. It should be noted that some courts display only case numbers and conviction information where sentencing occurred within a defined period, and not all historical records are available online.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Michigan State Police maintains the state's criminal history repository. Members of the public may request a criminal history record through the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Fingerprint-based background checks are available for authorized purposes. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Michigan State Police – Criminal Justice Information Center
7150 Harris Drive
Dimondale, MI 48821
Phone: (517) 241-0606
Michigan State Police Criminal History
5. Written/Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for court records to the Clare County Circuit Court Clerk at 225 W. Main Street, Harrison, MI 48625. Requests must include the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.1191, courts are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable timeframe. Certified copies are subject to applicable fees.
What Is Clare County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Clare County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Michigan law, criminal records encompass a broad range of documentation generated at each stage of the criminal justice process.
The distinction between record types is significant. An arrest record documents the fact of an arrest and booking but does not indicate a conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt, whether through a guilty plea, no-contest plea, or trial verdict. Felony records involve offenses punishable by more than one year of incarceration, while misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses. Juvenile records are treated separately under Michigan law and are subject to confidentiality protections; they are not part of the public criminal record in the same manner as adult records. Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are distinct from historical case records.
The following agencies maintain criminal records in Clare County:
- Clare County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, jail records, booking logs
- Clare County Circuit Court and 80th District Court – court case files, dispositions, sentencing records
- Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center – statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments – incident and arrest reports within their respective jurisdictions
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, preliminary examination, plea or trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. A complete criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment information, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The MiCOURT Case Search system reflects court-level data for Clare County cases.
Are Criminal Records Public In Clare County
Criminal records in Clare County are public records under Michigan law. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., establishes the right of members of the public to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by state and local government agencies. Court records, including criminal case filings and dispositions involving adult defendants, are accessible to the public pursuant to this statute.
As the Michigan Attorney General has noted, "Public records are records prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function." This principle applies to criminal court records maintained by Clare County courts and the Sheriff's Office.
The following categories of records are accessible to the public:
- Adult conviction records
- Court case filings and hearing records
- Sentencing information
- Arrest logs and booking records (subject to agency policy)
Certain records are restricted from public disclosure under current law. These include:
- Juvenile records (protected under MCL § 712A.28)
- Expunged or set-aside conviction records
- Records sealed by court order
- Ongoing law enforcement investigation files
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
Federal criminal records maintained by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan are governed by federal court rules and the federal Privacy Act, which differ from Michigan's state public records framework.
How To Find Criminal Records in Clare County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online portal for Clare County court records is the MiCOURT Case Search system. Members of the public may search by party name, case number, or date of birth. The system returns case-level information including charges, filing dates, and dispositions. The Clare County Sheriff's Office website at clareco.net/sheriff may provide access to current inmate and booking information. No registration is required to use the MiCOURT public search portal.
State-Level Resources
The Michigan State Police operates the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) for name-based criminal history searches. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the Michigan State Police, provides searchable public information on registered sex offenders, including county of residence and conviction history. The MiFILE system lists available courts for electronic filing and case access, including the Clare County – Harrison – 80-1 District Court.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Be aware that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing are not fully digitized. Online searches do not constitute an official background check and are not a substitute for a certified criminal history report from the Michigan State Police.
Can You Search Clare County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Michigan law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under MCL § 15.234, a public body may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records. In-person inspection is available at the Clare County Circuit Court Clerk's office and the 80th District Court, both located at 225 W. Main Street, Harrison, MI 48625. Copying fees apply to reproductions.
2. Free Online Databases: The MiCOURT Case Search portal is available to the public at no cost. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is also freely accessible online. The Clare County Sheriff's inmate roster, where published, is available without charge.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports may be available through the Clare County Sheriff's Office at no cost for inspection purposes.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$10.00 per document |
| ICHAT name-based background check | $10.00 per search |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $30.00+ |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Copies of records (paper) | $0.10–$1.00 per page |
Fee amounts are subject to change and are set by the applicable court or agency. Under MCL § 15.234, fees for copies may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Clare County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Clare County criminal record at present may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the name of the jail facility where the subject was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
A complete record may also include outstanding warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status as reflected in the Michigan Sex Offender Registry, DUI or DWI notations, traffic violations adjudicated in district court, and pending charges.
NOT Included in a Public Criminal Record
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Expunged or set-aside convictions
- Records from other states
- Federal criminal records (maintained separately by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan)
- Completed diversion program records where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal record may seek correction through the originating agency or court. The Michigan State Police provides a process for challenging inaccurate criminal history information through the Criminal Justice Information Center.
How Long Does Clare County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Michigan court records retention is governed by the Michigan Supreme Court's records retention and disposal schedule. Courts are required to retain records in accordance with schedules approved by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO). The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget also issues retention schedules applicable to law enforcement agencies.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expungement eligibility |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted in record) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 17 or upon petition; subject to destruction after applicable period under MCL § 712A.28 |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
County courts retain case records permanently in accordance with SCAO retention rules. The Clare County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records for periods established by the county's records retention schedule. The Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center retains conviction records permanently in the state repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy is maintained in accordance with applicable retention schedules.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts public access to a record without eliminating it. Expungement, referred to in Michigan as "setting aside" a conviction under MCL § 780.621, removes the conviction from the public record and from most background check results, though the record may remain accessible to law enforcement. Michigan's Clean Slate legislation, effective under current law, expanded eligibility for expungement to include certain felonies and multiple convictions. Expungement forms and eligibility information are available through the Michigan courts system.
Old Records Access
Records predating electronic filing systems may require special requests to the court clerk or may be located in state archives. Pre-digital records are not uniformly available through online portals.
Federal Records
Federal criminal records are maintained separately by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and are subject to federal retention rules distinct from Michigan state law.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions that have not been expunged remain part of the permanent public record and will appear on background checks. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of certain records to seven to ten years depending on the position sought. Professional licensing boards in Michigan may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the conviction has been legally expunged pursuant to MCL § 780.621.