Access Ann Arbor Warrant Records
Ann Arbor warrant records are held by the Ann Arbor Police Department and the 15th District Court in Washtenaw County. The city is home to the University of Michigan and has a population of about 121,000. You can search court records through MiCOURT or contact the district court clerk directly. The police department handles warrant checks at its office on North Fifth Avenue. This page covers how to find active warrants, bench warrants, and arrest records in Ann Arbor and what each source offers.
Ann Arbor Quick Facts
Ann Arbor Police Department Warrant Search
The Ann Arbor Police Department is at 100 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Call (734) 794-6920. The records division handles warrant checks. You can call during business hours or visit the office. Bring the full name of the person you want to check. A date of birth is helpful.
Arrest warrants in Ann Arbor are issued by judges under MCL 764.1a. Each warrant needs a sworn complaint with probable cause. The warrant names the person and the charge. Felony warrants do not expire in Michigan. Misdemeanor warrants last six years under MCL 764.1b. Any peace officer in the state can serve a warrant per MCL 764.15.
The University of Michigan also has its own police force. Their office is at 1239 Kipke Dr. and can be reached at (734) 763-1131. U of M Police handle cases on campus. If an incident happened on university property, their records division would have the warrant info. For cases in the city at large, the Ann Arbor Police Department is the right contact.
The department handles bench warrants from the court as well. If someone fails to show up at the 15th District Court, the judge sends a bench warrant to the police for enforcement.
15th District Court Records
The 15th District Court is at 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Call (734) 794-6750. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. The court sits right in downtown Ann Arbor, a short walk from the police department.
This court handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and civil disputes under $25,000 for Ann Arbor. Felony cases start here with arraignment and then move to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Clerks can pull up case records and check for open bench warrants. The register of actions for any public case shows all filings and hearings.
Under MCL 764.3, the court must state why it issued a bench warrant instead of a summons. Bench warrants in Ann Arbor often come from missed court dates. The clerk can check the system if you call ahead. It is better to know before you go in.
Note: The 15th District Court and the Ann Arbor Police Department are both downtown, within walking distance of each other.
Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor Felony Cases
Ann Arbor sits in Washtenaw County. Felony cases from the 15th District Court move to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court for trial. The circuit court handles felony warrants at that stage. You can search circuit court records through the county clerk's office or MiCOURT.
Washtenaw County covers Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, and other communities. The county seat is in Ann Arbor itself. For more on county warrant records, visit our Washtenaw County page.
Ann Arbor Warrant Records Online
The MiCOURT Case Search covers the 15th District Court. It is free. Search by name or case number. You can see charges, hearing dates, and case status. MiCOURT does not flag warrants directly, but you can spot a failure to appear in the docket entries.
The Michigan ICHAT tool costs $10 per search. You need the person's full name, date of birth, race, and gender. ICHAT shows felony records and serious misdemeanors statewide. It does not list active warrants or minor offenses. Results come back fast.
The Ann Arbor Police Department website has info on reaching the records division and reporting crimes.
You can find contact info and office hours for the records unit on the department site.
The MDOC OTIS system tracks people under state corrections control. It shows inmates, parolees, and those on probation. OTIS may have warrant info if someone from Ann Arbor broke their parole or probation. The tool covers people in the MDOC system within the last three years.
Below is the 15th District Court website, which provides case search and court info for Ann Arbor.
The court site shows docket entries and case status for public filings at the 15th District Court.
FOIA Requests in Ann Arbor
Under MCL 15.231, you can request government records through FOIA. File a written request with the Ann Arbor Police Department or the 15th District Court. Name the records you want. You do not need to give a reason.
The agency must respond within five business days. A 10-day extension applies for large or complex requests. Copies run $0.10 per page. Labor charges may apply for long searches. Active warrant records can be withheld under MCL 15.243 if release would interfere with law enforcement. Closed case records are more likely to be provided. You can send your request by mail, email, or deliver it in person.
Warrant Types and Resolution in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor courts issue arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants. Arrest warrants need a sworn complaint and probable cause. Bench warrants follow missed court dates. Search warrants give police the right to search a location.
Search warrants follow MCL 780.651. A judge must find probable cause in a sworn affidavit. The warrant has to name the place and what to seize. Officers have 10 days to carry out the search under MCL 780.654. After that, it expires. The return of service goes back to the court once the search is done.
To resolve an open warrant in Ann Arbor, turn yourself in at the 15th District Court or the police department. Bring your ID. The court will set bond or a hearing date. For bench warrants, a lawyer can file a motion to quash. This sometimes avoids jail time, but it depends on the charge and the judge. Talk to a lawyer if you are not sure of the best path.
Court records in Ann Arbor are public under MCR 8.119. Anyone can view case files at the clerk's office. Sealed records and cases with minors are not available. Once a warrant is served and the case proceeds, records open up to public view.
Nearby City Warrant Records
Looking for warrant records in cities near Ann Arbor? These pages may be useful if someone has cases in more than one area.