Search Dearborn Warrant Records
Dearborn warrant records are kept by the Dearborn Police Department and the 19th District Court in Wayne County. The city has a population of about 109,000 and borders Detroit to the west. You can search court records through the state MiCOURT portal or by calling the 19th District Court clerk. The police department handles warrant checks at its office on Michigan Avenue. This page covers how to look up active warrants, bench warrants, and arrest records in Dearborn and what to expect from each source.
Dearborn Quick Facts
Dearborn Police Department Warrant Search
The Dearborn Police Department is at 16099 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126. Call (313) 943-2235. The records division handles warrant check requests. You can call during business hours or visit in person. Have the full name of the person ready. A date of birth speeds up the search.
Arrest warrants in Dearborn are issued by judges under MCL 764.1a. A sworn complaint must show probable cause. The warrant names the person and the charge. It tells officers to bring them before a magistrate. Felony warrants stay active until served. Misdemeanor warrants last six years under MCL 764.1b. Any peace officer in Michigan can execute a warrant per MCL 764.15.
The police also enforce bench warrants from the 19th District Court. When someone skips a court date, the judge sends a bench warrant to the department. Civil warrants may also come through for contempt or failure to pay fines. If you are not sure about a warrant, the non-emergency line is the best place to start.
19th District Court Records
The 19th District Court is at 16077 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126. Call (313) 943-2060. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. The court is right next to the police department on Michigan Avenue, which makes it convenient to handle both stops at once.
This court covers misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and civil cases under $25,000 for Dearborn. Felony cases begin here with arraignment and then move to the Wayne County Circuit Court for trial. The clerk's office can pull up case records and check for open bench warrants. You can view the register of actions for any public case. It shows all filings and hearings from start to finish.
Under MCL 764.3, the court must explain why it chose a bench warrant instead of a summons. Bench warrants in Dearborn most often follow missed court dates. Call the clerk if you think you might have one. They can check the system and let you know what to expect before you come in.
Note: The 19th District Court and Dearborn Police Department sit next to each other on Michigan Avenue, so you can check records at both in one trip.
Wayne County and Dearborn Felony Cases
Dearborn is in Wayne County. Felony cases from the 19th District Court go to the Wayne County Circuit Court for trial. The circuit court handles all felony warrants after arraignment. You can look up circuit court records through the Wayne County CJIS system online or by calling the county clerk.
Wayne County is the largest county in Michigan by population. It covers Dearborn, Detroit, Livonia, and many other communities. The circuit court building is in downtown Detroit. For a complete look at warrant records in the county, see our Wayne County page.
Dearborn Warrant Records Online
The MiCOURT Case Search is free and covers the 19th District Court. Search by name or case number. You can see charges, hearing dates, and case status. MiCOURT does not flag warrants directly. Look at the docket entries to spot a failure to appear.
The Michigan ICHAT system costs $10 per search. Enter the full name, date of birth, race, and gender. ICHAT shows felony convictions and serious misdemeanors statewide. It does not include active warrants or minor offenses. Results are fast.
The screenshot below shows the Michigan Courts homepage, which links to the MiCOURT case search tool used for Dearborn court records.
From the courts homepage, you can reach the case search pages for the 19th District Court and Wayne County Circuit Court.
The MDOC OTIS system tracks people under state corrections supervision. It shows current inmates, parolees, and probationers. If someone from Dearborn broke parole or probation, OTIS may show warrant-related info. The tool covers people in the MDOC system within the past three years only.
FOIA Requests in Dearborn
Under MCL 15.231, Michigan's FOIA law lets you request government records. File a written request with the Dearborn Police Department or the 19th District Court. Describe the records you want. You do not need a reason for your request.
The agency has five business days to respond. A 10-day extension is allowed for large or complex requests. Pages cost $0.10 each. Labor fees 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 available. Submit by mail, email, or drop it off in person.
Warrant Types and Resolution in Dearborn
Dearborn courts issue arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants. Each type has its own process under Michigan law.
Arrest warrants need a sworn complaint and probable cause from a judge. Bench warrants are tied to missed court dates or broken court orders. Search warrants give officers the right to search a location for evidence under MCL 780.651. The judge reviews a sworn affidavit and must find probable cause. The warrant names the place and what to take. Officers have 10 days to carry it out under MCL 780.654. After that window closes, the warrant is no longer valid. Returns go back to the court.
To resolve a warrant in Dearborn, turn yourself in at the 19th District Court or the police department. Bring a valid ID. The court will set bond or a hearing date. A lawyer can file a motion to quash a bench warrant, which may help you avoid jail. It depends on the judge and the charge. Talk to a lawyer if you are not sure how to handle it.
Court records in Dearborn are open to the public under MCR 8.119. You can view case files at the clerk's office. Sealed records and cases with minors are the main exceptions. Once a warrant has been served and the case moves through court, records become available to the public through the clerk or MiCOURT.
Nearby City Warrant Records
If you need warrant records from cities near Dearborn, these pages cover the main ones. People sometimes have cases across city lines, so checking nearby is a good idea.