Criminal records in Livingston County, Michigan, are available through several channels. LivingstonCourt.us allows quick access to publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, official state court portals, law enforcement agencies, and the Livingston County court clerk's office provide access to case materials, charge histories, and court outcomes—both online and in-person or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in Livingston
Start your search with LivingstonCourt.us—this resource allows you to view public information about county criminal cases. Typically, the following are needed for a search:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number, if you have it
Online Search via Official Portals
- MiCOURT Case Search — The case search portal of the Michigan Supreme Court covers all state courts, including the Livingston County Circuit Court. Enter the party's name or case number.
- Livingston County Court Schedule — View the current court schedule to find out the date and time of hearings in a specific case.
- ICHAT — The Internet Criminal History Access Tool system, supported by the Michigan State Police. Through ICHAT, you can obtain a person's public criminal history across the state. The search is fee-based.
- OTIS — The Offender Tracking Information System of the Michigan Department of Corrections shows information about inmates in state prisons and those under parole supervision. Information about those held in county jails is not displayed here.
In-Person Visit
The Circuit Court Clerk's office in Howell accepts requests to view case materials. Public access terminals are usually available in the courthouse. Bring identification with you.
Written Request
Send a request by mail to the Livingston County court clerk's office or use the FOIA procedure to obtain records from the Michigan State Police. Include the person's full name, date of birth, and as precise a description of the needed records as possible in your request.
Search Livingston Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number in Michigan courts has a standard format consisting of several parts. Let's consider a typical example:
2024-XXXXXX-FH
- 2024 — the year the case was opened
- XXXXXX — the sequential number assigned by the court clerk's office
- Letter suffix — indicates the type of case. For criminal cases, the most common are:
- FH — felony handled by the circuit court
- FY — life offense felony
- SM — serious misdemeanor (misdemeanor with a penalty over 93 days)
- DL — driver's license-related violation
If you know the case number, enter it in the appropriate field on the MiCOURT Case Search portal or on LivingstonCourt.us. This is the fastest way to find a specific case without errors due to name matches.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Livingston
Each criminal case in Livingston County contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of each of them.
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the Michigan Compiled Laws, for example, MCL 750.110a — unlawful entry |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious crime), or Civil Infraction (administrative violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during plea bargaining |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is actively being considered by the court
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all obligations have been fulfilled, and the case is closed
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused before a judge, announcement of charges
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines whether there is enough evidence to transfer the case to the circuit court (only for felonies)
- Pre-Trial — a preparatory hearing where parties discuss an agreement or procedural issues
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction by a jury
- Review — a control hearing to check compliance with the terms of the sentence
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after trial |
| Dismissed | The case was closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by the court or jury |
Note: Some records may be removed from public access following the expungement procedure, which has been significantly expanded in Michigan since April 2021.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Livingston
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by employers, attorneys, and government agencies.
Where to Submit a Request
Livingston County Circuit Court Clerk
The office issues certified copies of court decisions, sentences, indictments, and other case materials considered in the Livingston County Circuit Court.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — Visit the clerk's office in the courthouse. Present a photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — Send a written request specifying the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), description of the needed document, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Through MiFILE — Some documents can be ordered through the MiFILE electronic filing system, where the Livingston County Probate Court is available.
State-Level Criminal History
To obtain a complete criminal history of a person across Michigan, contact the Criminal Justice Information Center at the Michigan State Police. A request for your own criminal history requires fingerprints and identification. A third party can only obtain public information through the ICHAT system.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Livingston
Below are the estimated fees set according to Michigan Compiled Laws and local court rules. Always verify the exact amount with the clerk's office.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $1.00 per page | Standard rate according to MCL 600.1988 |
| Certification | $10.00 | Per certified document |
| ICHAT search (public criminal history) | $10.00 | Online payment through the Michigan State Police website |
| FOIA request | Depends on volume | Fee for search, copying, and mailing; MSP provides a preliminary estimate |
Processing Times
- ICHAT — The result is usually available immediately after online payment
- Copies from the court clerk's office — Often issued the same day for in-person requests. Mail requests may take 5 to 15 business days
- FOIA requests — Michigan State Police must respond within 5 business days but may extend the period by another 10 days
Payment at the court clerk's office is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. For ICHAT and FOIA requests, online payment by card is available.