Saginaw county clerk criminal records

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors are handled by the District Court for offenses which occur within Saginaw County. Misdemeanors are crimes of a less serious nature that carry a maximum jail term of 1 year in jail, including traffic misdemeanors. Some misdemeanors are punishable by more than 1 year in jail but are processed in the same manner as felonies.

Note: If the case involves a juvenile under 17 years of age, the case would be handled as a delinquency case in the Family Division of the Circuit Court, or the Juvenile Division.

Felonies

The District Court handles the preliminary stages of felony cases. Felonies are the most serious category of criminal offenses and are punishable by more than 1 year in prison (up to life). For felonies involving adults, the District Court handles the initial stages of arraignment on the complaint and the preliminary examination. If the District Court Judge finds sufficient evidence has been presented at the preliminary examination to show that the crime was committed and that probable cause exists to charge the defendant with the crime, the matter is bound over or transferred to Circuit Court. The Circuit Court then typically handles the case after bindover including the arraignment on the information, pretrial, trial, plea and sentencing.

Note: If the case involves a juvenile under 17 years of age, the case may be handled as a delinquency case or, in some situations, the charge may be handled the same as an adult charge.

Criminal History

To obtain a local background check from the 70th District Court, you must provide the name of the defendant, DOB and address if available. There is a $10.00 fee for all record checks. A more complete record check may be requested by writing the appropriate state agency. Both the Michigan State Police and Department of State maintain computer information expressly for this purpose.

To obtain a Criminal Record Check or information regarding your Criminal History, contact the following:

Michigan State Police
Criminal Justice Information Center
P.O. Box 30634
Lansing MI 48909
(517) 241-0606

To obtain a Driving (Traffic) Record contact:

Michigan Department of State
Commercial Look-up Unit
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing MI 48918
(517) 322-1624.

Once you receive complete record checks, you will be able to contact the appropriate police agency or Court listed on the records to obtain case specific information. The criminal history record check request form is also available.

Payments

Payments for fines and court costs may be made in cash, money order or credit card (MasterCard, VISA or Discover). Bonds may be posted for a defendant in cash only and must be placed in the name of the defendant. Personal checks are no longer accepted. Learn more about payment information. 

Arraignments

Arraignments occur daily during court hours. Defendants in custody are arraigned by video arraignment at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. . If you come to court to be arraigned on a new charge please go to either the Traffic Division or the Criminal Division, depending on which type of case you are to arraigned on, prior to going to the courtroom.

Search District Civil Cases & Docket

Please note: With the re-opening of the Saginaw County Governmental Center, attorneys and the public are now able to visit the Saginaw County Clerk’s Circuit Court Records Office in-person. Therefore, fax and email filings and/or requests will no longer be accepted as of June 28, 2021. As always, filings are accepted in-person or via US mail, FedEx or UPS.

Search for Cases and Docket

Overview

The Clerk of the Circuit Court files all cases and maintains official records of all cases that come before the Saginaw County 10th Circuit Court. The Clerk's office maintains a record of all proceedings, collecting and disbursing fines, receives and holds monies to be disbursed on order of the court for cases awaiting settlement.

The Clerk also maintains records of these cases in a computerized court database for cases filed 1985 to present. The files are the official record of the court and are utilized by the judiciary and made available for public inspection. The Clerk's office also processes felony criminal cases bound over from the 70th District Court.

Over the counter requests for copies of Circuit Court files are available at $1.00 per page plus a $10.00 fee if the record requires Certification. Request form is required along with proper identification.

Court forms are available at the Michigan Supreme Court site

Civil Cases

Civil cases include all appeals from district court and removal from district court, civil damage suits which include personal injury, auto negligence, medical malpractice and other damage suits. Other civil matters which include business claims, contract and others. Process appeals from other agencies such as Probate Court, MESC and driver's license restoration cases.

Domestic Relations

Domestic relations which include divorces, paternity and general family matters.

Personal Protection Orders are also filed in the County Clerk's office. Forms for filing a PPO and assistance in the completion of them can be obtained from the Personal Protection Order Office staffed by personnel from The Underground Railroad.

Name Change Guidelines

Download name change guidelines.

Other Links of Interest

Federal Courts

United States Courts

United States Supreme Court

State Courts

Michigan Supreme Court

Associations

American Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

Reference Sites

Michigan Law Libraries

Court Forms

Please include the appropriate funds with each copy/file request.

Circuit Court File/Copy Request

State Court Administrative Office Approved Court Forms

Saginaw County has five Circuit Court Judges who are elected by the citizens of the County for six-year terms. The Circuit Court, locatedin the Courthouse, provides an impartial forum for the resolution of disputes. These disputes may be felony cases, civil cases with a value in excess of $25,000, divorce and family related matters and appeals from Probate and District Courts and administrative agencies.

Notice of Reassignment of Domestic Relations Cases

Pursuant to Local Administrative Order (LAO) 2015-01J, approved by the Michigan Supreme Court, all Domestic Relations cases involving minor children have been administratively reassigned to Judge James T. Borchard, Family Court Judge for the 10th Circuit Court.

Paternity and Other Support cases will be assigned to Judge Patrick J. McGraw until adjudication is determined then will be reassigned to Judge James T. Borchard to address any post-adjudication matters.

Probation - Circuit Court

1931 Bagley
Saginaw, MI 48601
Phone: (989) 758-2470

This department, located at 1931 Bagley Street, conducts pre-sentence investigations for the Circuit Courts as required by law. The department also supervises cases placed on probation by Circuit Judges. All staff members in this department are employees of the State of Michigan and the County must provide office space, equipment and supplies.

The information contained on this website, particularly the forms and procedures, pertain specifically to the Saginaw County Friend of the Court Office. Friend of the Court Offices in other counties use different forms and may have different policies as required by the family division judges of their circuit.

Make a payment (MISDU)

Book Appointment 

MiChildSupport 

*access your child support account information ONLINE 24/7*

Want to know more about the Friend of the Court? 

Friend of the Court information handbooks are available at https://courts.michigan.gov/Administration/SCAO/Resources/Documents/Publications/Manuals/focb_hbk.pdf or by request at the Friend of the Court Office. Please see the Receptionist on the 2nd Floor.

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