Criminal records in Kent County, Michigan, are accessible through several channels. KentCourt.us allows quick access to publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state court systems, county law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. The sheriff's online tools, MiCOURT portal, and the sheriff's office information services division are all additional access points for searching criminal records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Kent
There are several ways to find criminal records in Kent County. Start by determining what type of information you need—court cases, arrest records, or a state-level criminal history check.
Online Search
- KentCourt.us — enter the person's name to find publicly available information about county criminal cases.
- MiCOURT Case Search — a statewide court case search portal. Allows searching by name or case number in all Michigan courts, including the 17th Circuit Court and 63rd District Court of Kent County. Note: some records are sealed under federal and state laws.
- Kent County Court Records Search — the 17th Circuit Court page for searching cases by defendant's name.
- Web Jail Viewer — a sheriff's office tool for viewing information about individuals booked into the Kent County Correctional Facility. A full last name is required for the search; first name and booking date are optional.
- ICHAT (Michigan State Police) — a state-level public criminal history check system. Allows searching records stored by the Criminal Justice Information Center.
- OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) — search for offenders in the Michigan correctional system. Information about inmates in local jails is not available here.
What You Need for a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (for some systems)
- Case number (if known)
- Booking date (for Jail Viewer — optional)
In-Person Visit
You can visit the court clerk's office at the Kent County Courthouse. The clerk is the custodian of all cases filed with the Circuit Court. Public terminals are available in the courthouse for self-search.
Written Request
Criminal records from the sheriff's office can be requested through the information services and records division. For records that are not public or for official state-level criminal history checks, submit a request to the Michigan State Police through the ICHAT system. You can also submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain Kent County government documents.
Search Kent Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number in Michigan follows a standard format, and understanding its structure greatly speeds up the search.
Typical format: YY-NNNNN-XX
- YY — the last two digits of the year the case was filed (e.g., 24 means 2024)
- NNNNN — the sequential case number assigned by the court
- XX — the case type code indicating the category
Main criminal case type codes in Michigan:
| Code | Case Type |
|---|---|
| FH | Felony |
| FY | Felony (alternative code in some courts) |
| SM | Misdemeanor |
| DL | Traffic violation |
| AR | District court appeal |
For example, case number 24-01234-FH indicates a felony case filed in 2024 with the sequential number 01234. Enter the full case number into the MiCOURT portal or the 17th Circuit Court search page for details.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Kent
Each criminal case record contains several key elements. Below is a breakdown of the main data.
Charges
- Statute code — reference to the specific article of the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) under which the charge is filed
- Severity level:
- Felony — a serious crime, punishable by more than one year of imprisonment
- Misdemeanor — a less serious offense, up to one year
- Civil infraction — a minor violation without criminal liability
- Amended charges — the prosecutor may change the initial charge during the case, and the new charge is reflected in the record
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case is open, and a decision has not yet been made |
| Active | The case is in the process of being heard |
| Disposed | The court has made a final decision |
| Closed | All procedures are complete, and the case is closed |
Hearings
- Arraignment — the first court hearing where the charges are read to the defendant and bail is set
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to send the case to Circuit Court (applies to felonies)
- Pre-trial — a procedural hearing to discuss agreements, motions, and trial preparation
- Sentencing — a hearing to announce the sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review — a review hearing to check compliance with the terms of the sentence, such as probation
Court Results
| Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or guilty plea |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted by jury or judge |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Acquitted | Complete exoneration after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Kent
Certified copies are official documents with the court seal that have legal force. Uncertified copies are suitable for informational purposes only.
Where to Go
For Circuit Court records, contact the court clerk. Certified copies of court decisions can also be ordered online.
For criminal records held by law enforcement, contact the sheriff's office records division:
For state-level criminal history checks, use the ICHAT system through the Michigan State Police.
How to Submit a Request
- Online — through the certified copies request page on the Kent County website
- In-person — visit the clerk's office with valid photo ID
- By mail — send a written request including the case number, full name of the party, and return address
- FOIA — for law enforcement records, submit a Freedom of Information Act request
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Case number or full name and date of birth of the person
- Payment of applicable fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Kent
Fees depend on the type of document and the method of obtaining it. Below are approximate rates based on the Kent County fee schedule and Michigan legislation.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard copy of court document | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of court document | $10.00 per document (plus $1.00 for each additional page) |
| Criminal history check via ICHAT | $10.00 per request |
Processing Times
- Online requests via ICHAT — results are typically available within minutes
- Certified copies from the court clerk — processing may take from a few business days to two weeks, depending on office workload
- FOIA requests — under Michigan law, a response must be provided within 5 business days, with a possible extension of an additional 10 business days
- Mail requests — add time for round-trip mailing
Payment is usually accepted by credit card (for online requests), money order, or check payable to Kent County Clerk. Confirm acceptable payment forms directly with the office before visiting.