Access Southfield Warrant Records
Southfield warrant records are handled by the Southfield Police Department and the 46th District Court in Oakland County. This city of about 76,000 people sits just northwest of Detroit. The police department and the district court share an address on Evergreen Road, which makes it convenient to check records at both in one trip. Warrant lookups can be done in person, by phone, or through state online databases. Oakland County also offers a Court Explorer tool for online case searches. This page walks through every option for finding warrant records in Southfield.
Southfield Quick Facts
Southfield Police Department Warrants
The Southfield Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city. They are at 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield, MI 48076. Call them at (248) 796-5500. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. The records division handles warrant checks and arrest records. Walk-in requests are accepted at the front desk during business hours. Bring the full name of the person you want to look up. A date of birth helps narrow the results.
Arrest warrants in Southfield are issued under MCL 764.1a. A magistrate reviews a sworn complaint and signs the warrant if probable cause exists. The warrant names the person, states the charge, and orders the arrest. In Michigan, felony warrants have no expiration. Misdemeanor warrants last six years. Any peace officer can serve these warrants statewide per MCL 764.15.
Southfield Police also handle bench warrants issued by the 46th District Court. When someone skips a court date, the judge issues a bench warrant. The police department then adds it to the system. Officers may serve bench warrants during traffic stops or other encounters.
46th District Court Warrant Search
The 46th District Court serves Southfield. It is at 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield, MI 48076. Same address as the police department. Call them at (248) 796-5800. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. The court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil cases. The clerk can check if a warrant is active in their system.
Bench warrants are a common reason people contact the 46th District Court. Under MCL 764.3, the court has to explain why it chose a bench warrant over a summons. Most bench warrants come from missed court dates. The clerk can tell you if a bench warrant exists and what bond amount is set. Some people can clear a bench warrant by posting bond at the court window.
Felony cases start in the 46th District Court for preliminary examination. If the judge finds probable cause, the case moves to the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac. Oakland County handles all felony trials at the circuit level. You may need to check both courts for a complete picture of someone's warrant history.
Court records in Southfield are public under MCR 8.119. Anyone can view case files at the clerk's office. Sealed records and juvenile cases are not available. Personal Protection Orders have limited public access online.
Oakland County Connection
Southfield is in Oakland County. The county seat is Pontiac. The 6th Circuit Court and the Oakland County Clerk's office are there. For felony warrants and circuit court records, the county is the source. The Oakland County Sheriff also serves warrants across the entire county, including Southfield.
Oakland County has one of the better online court systems in Michigan. The Court Explorer tool lets you search case records from district and circuit courts in the county. This can be useful for checking case status and docket entries without going to the courthouse. The county clerk also keeps records from all circuit court proceedings, including felonies, family cases, and appeals.
Online Warrant Search Resources
The MiCOURT Case Search portal covers the 46th District Court. Search by name or case number for free. No account is needed. MiCOURT shows case status and docket entries but does not flag active warrants. You still need to call the court to confirm.
The screenshot below shows the Michigan Courts homepage, which links to case search tools for Southfield court records.
From the courts homepage, you can access case search pages for the 46th District Court and the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County.
Oakland County also runs its own Court Explorer system. This gives you access to case records from courts across the county. It can be more detailed than MiCOURT for Oakland County cases. Check the Oakland County Courts website for access.
The Michigan ICHAT system costs $10 per search. It covers state-level felony arrests and serious misdemeanors. You need the full name, date of birth, race, and gender. ICHAT does not show active warrants or local-level offenses.
The MDOC OTIS tracks state prisoners and people on parole or probation. If someone from Southfield is under state supervision, OTIS shows their status. Supervision violations can lead to new warrants.
Note: MiCOURT does not display active warrant status. Call the 46th District Court at (248) 796-5800 to confirm if a warrant is outstanding.
FOIA Requests for Southfield Records
Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231), you can request warrant records from the Southfield Police Department or the Oakland County Clerk. Put your request in writing. Describe the records you want. No reason is needed.
Agencies have five business days to respond. They can take a 10-day extension if the request is large. Copies are $0.10 per page. Labor fees may apply for extensive searches. Active warrant records may be exempt from FOIA under MCL 15.243 when release would interfere with an investigation. Closed case records are more readily available. Submit your request by mail, email, or in person at the police department.
Warrant Types and Resolution
Southfield courts and police deal with several types of warrants. Arrest warrants follow MCL 764.1a. Bench warrants come from MCL 764.1b when someone fails to appear in court. Search warrants follow MCL 780.651 and must be executed within 10 days under MCL 780.654.
If you have a warrant in Southfield, you can turn yourself in at the police department on Evergreen Road. You can also go to the 46th District Court during business hours. Since they share a building, you can handle both in one stop. Some bench warrants can be resolved by posting bond. Talk to a lawyer first. The Oakland County Bar Association has a referral service.
Your attorney can file a motion to recall the warrant. The judge will decide whether to set a new court date and what bond to require. Each case is handled on its own facts. Getting legal counsel before you act is the smartest move.
Nearby City Warrant Records
Need warrant records from cities near Southfield? These nearby communities may have relevant files.