Criminal records in Saginaw County, Michigan, are available through several channels. SaginawCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about criminal cases. Additionally, the state's official court systems, county law enforcement agencies, and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintain and provide access to records. Below is a practical guide to searching, requesting, and understanding criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Saginaw
To begin your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- The full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search
- SaginawCourt.us — enter a name or case number to view publicly available information about court criminal cases in the county.
- MiCOURT Case Search — a statewide portal for Michigan courts. Some courts display information on criminal convictions only for the past seven years. The data is informational and does not replace the official record.
- ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) — Michigan State Police system for searching public criminal history. Available for a fee.
- OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) — Michigan Department of Corrections database. Contains data on individuals currently or recently under MDOC supervision. Records older than three years after supervision may be absent.
Inmate Search
The Saginaw County Sheriff's Office publishes an Inmate Listing on its website. You will need the person's name or IB number for the search.
In-Person Visit
Circuit Court records can be viewed directly at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Cases from the 70th District Court are also available for viewing at the Saginaw County Governmental Center.
Mail Request
A written request for copies of Circuit Court records can be sent to the Clerk's Office. To obtain a state-level criminal history, submit a request through the Michigan State Police FOIA portal or use the Saginaw County FOIA form.
Search Saginaw Criminal Cases by Case Number
A case number in Michigan typically consists of several parts, each carrying specific information:
- Year of Filing — a two or four-digit number (e.g., 24 or 2024)
- Case Type Code — a letter designation of the category. For criminal cases in Circuit Court, "FH" (felony) or "FC" is often used. Misdemeanors in District Court may have a code like "DM" or similar.
- Sequential Number — a unique numerical identifier of the case within the year and type
Example: 24-012345-FH indicates a felony case filed in 2024 with a sequential number of 012345. If you know the full number, searching through MiCOURT or the Clerk's Office will yield an exact result without needing to guess the spelling of the name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Saginaw
Charges
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL), e.g., MCL 750.110a — breaking and entering |
| Severity Level | Felony, misdemeanor, or civil infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case; both options are reflected in the record |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings scheduled
- Disposed — the court has issued a final decision
- Closed — all obligations fulfilled, case closed
Types of Hearings
In Saginaw County criminal cases, the following hearings occur:
- Arraignment — initial presentation of charges, bail determination
- Preliminary Hearing — District Court judge decides if there is enough evidence to transfer the felony to Circuit Court
- Pre-trial — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review — checking compliance with probation terms or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by jury verdict or guilty plea |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Complete exoneration after substantive review |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Saginaw
Certified copies of Circuit Court criminal cases are issued by the Clerk's Office. Felonies transferred from the 70th District Court are also processed here.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Circuit Court Records counter. Copies are provided immediately if available.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the party's name, case number (if known), and document type.
Identification usually requires presenting a valid photo ID. Check specific form requirements with the Clerk's Office.
State-Level Criminal History
To obtain a complete criminal history, use the ICHAT system of the Michigan State Police. The 70th District Court Criminal Division also notes that a criminal background check can be conducted through the Michigan State Police and Department of State.
Contact Information
Saginaw County Clerk — Circuit Court Records Office
Saginaw County Sheriff's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Saginaw
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of Circuit Court document (per page) | $1.00 | Circuit Court Clerk's Office |
| Document certification | $10.00 (in addition to copy costs) | Circuit Court Clerk's Office |
| ICHAT — criminal history search | Paid service (fee set by Michigan State Police) | Michigan State Police — ICHAT |
Processing Times
Requests submitted in person are usually processed the same day. Mail requests take longer — from several business days to two weeks, depending on volume. FOIA requests are governed by the Act 442 of 1976 (Michigan Freedom of Information Act), which requires a response within five business days with a possible extension of ten days.
Before visiting or sending a request, we recommend calling the Clerk's Office at (989) 790-5540 to confirm current fees and the availability of the required documents.