Criminal records of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, are available through several channels. KalamazooCourt.us allows you to find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official Michigan court system, county law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. Each of these sources covers different types of records — from current court cases to criminal charge histories and inmate data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Kalamazoo
There are several ways to search for criminal records in this county. Below are step-by-step instructions for each method.
Online via KalamazooCourt.us
- Go to KalamazooCourt.us.
- Enter the full name of the person or the case number.
- Review the search results — information about charges, case status, and court decisions.
Michigan Courts Portal — MiCOURT
The MiCOURT Case Search system allows searching for cases in Kalamazoo Circuit Court, 8th District Court, and Juvenile Division. Note: some courts display information about criminal convictions only for the last seven years from the search date.
To search, you need:
- The full first and last name of the person
- Or the case number
ICHAT — State Criminal History
The Michigan State Police maintain the ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) system. It contains public information about criminal history maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Center. Searches are conducted by name and date of birth.
Inmate Search
The Inmate Search Tool of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office allows you to find individuals currently in the county jail. Searches can be conducted by name, subject number, or booking number.
For individuals under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Corrections, use OTIS — a system that shows information about inmates in state prisons, on parole, or under MDOC supervision.
In Person
Visit the court clerk's office to access public terminals:
8th District Court
Kalamazoo County Clerk / Register of Deeds
Written Request
Police reports and accident reports can be requested through the Records & Information department of the Sheriff's Office by submitting a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The county also has a public records portal for submitting FOIA requests online.
To obtain an official state criminal history, send a request to the Michigan State Police CJIC by mail — details are on the Search, Expunge, Modify, or Update Criminal History Records page.
Search Kalamazoo Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Michigan, a case number has a standard format, which is deciphered as follows:
- Year — the first two or four digits indicate the year the case was filed.
- Case Type Code — a letter code indicating the category: for example, FH for felonies, DM for misdemeanors, FY for felonies in circuit court.
- Sequential Number — a consecutive number assigned to the case within the year.
Example: 2024-FH-000123 means a felony case filed in 2024 under number 123.
If you know the case number, enter it in the MiCOURT search field or the relevant court portal — this is the fastest way to find a specific case. Without the number, you will have to search by name, which may yield multiple results for common surnames.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Kalamazoo
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL), for example, MCL 750.110a — unlawful entry |
| Severity Level | Felony, misdemeanor, or civil infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case — the amended charge is displayed as a separate line |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review.
- Active — the case is in the process of court review.
- Disposed — the court has made a decision; the case is resolved.
- Closed — all obligations have been fulfilled, the case is closed permanently.
Types of Hearings
In the criminal division of the 8th District Court, all criminal cases for individuals aged 18 and over begin in the district court. Main stages:
- Arraignment — first appearance before a judge, announcement of charges, determination of bail.
- Preliminary hearing — preliminary review (for felonies), where the judge decides if there is enough evidence to transfer the case to Circuit Court.
- Pre-trial — pre-trial session to discuss agreements and procedural issues.
- Trial — court review on the merits.
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict.
- Review — checking compliance with probation conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after review |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by the court or jury |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Kalamazoo
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with a court seal, accepted by other institutions. Here's how to obtain them.
Court Records
A request for a certified copy of a court record is submitted to the clerk's office of the relevant court. 8th District Court accepts requests through the Court Record / Copy Request Form. Older cases not in the electronic system require a paper request by mail or in person.
8th District Court — Clerk's Office
For Circuit Court cases, contact:
Kalamazoo County Clerk / Register of Deeds
State Criminal History
An official criminal history can be obtained through ICHAT online or by sending a written request to the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center. Required documents:
- Completed request form
- Valid photo ID
- Payment of the applicable fee
Police Reports
Requests for police reports are processed by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office.
Requests can be submitted through the county's FOIA portal or in person at the Information Center in the Sheriff's Office lobby.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Kalamazoo
Fees for copies and certification depend on the type of record and the issuing institution. Below are approximate rates based on current Michigan tariffs.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ICHAT Search (online) | $10.00 | Michigan State Police |
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 | MCL 600.2546 |
| Document certification | $10.00 | MCL 600.2546 |
| FOIA request (Sheriff's Office) | Depends on volume; first pages may be free | Michigan FOIA, MCL 15.234 |
| Fingerprinting + FBI check | From $30.00 and up | Michigan State Police |
Processing Time
- ICHAT — results are usually available immediately after payment.
- Copies of court documents — often issued the same day for in-person requests; mail requests may take 5–10 business days.
- FOIA requests — under Michigan state law, a response must be provided within 5 business days, with the possibility of extension to 10 days.
Exact fee amounts may change. Before submitting a request, verify current rates directly with the relevant institution.