Find Traffic Court Records in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor traffic court records are filed and maintained at the 15th Judicial District Court, located inside the Ann Arbor Justice Center in Washtenaw County. The 15th District Court handles all civil infraction traffic cases, misdemeanor traffic offenses, and University of Michigan Regents Ordinance violations for the city. You can search Ann Arbor traffic court records through the court's own online case search tool or through the statewide MiCOURT portal, and this page explains how to access those records, what they include, and what to do if you received a citation.

15th Judicial District Court - Ann Arbor Traffic Court

All traffic cases in Ann Arbor go through the 15th Judicial District Court at the Ann Arbor Justice Center, 301 E Huron Street. Three judges sit on this court: Hon. S. Kerene Moore, Hon. Miriam A. Perry, and Hon. Tamara A. Garwood. The Traffic and Criminal Division handles civil infractions and misdemeanor traffic matters. The court also has jurisdiction over University of Michigan Regents Ordinance violations and civil cases up to $25,000. Small claims cases up to $7,000 are also filed here.

Security screening is required at the Ann Arbor Justice Center before entry. Weapons and food are prohibited. If you plan to visit for a hearing or to talk to the clerk, allow extra time at the door. The court also offers Zoom hearings for some matters. You must request a remote hearing at least 24 hours in advance by contacting the Traffic and Criminal Division at 734.794.6750, option 2.

Ann Arbor traffic case types use specific codes in the court's system. SI stands for Statute Civil Infraction Traffic. SD and OD are for statute and ordinance drunk driving cases. ST covers statute misdemeanor traffic. FT is the code for felony traffic. These codes appear in search results and help identify the kind of case you are looking at.

How to Search Ann Arbor Traffic Court Records

The 15th Judicial District Court has its own case search tool linked from its website at a2gov.org - case search. The tool uses MiCOURT Public Case Search and lets you search by name or case number. Results show party names, charges, case type codes, hearing dates, and current status. Most cases appear within a few days of filing. You can also search directly at the statewide portal, micourt.courts.michigan.gov, which covers the 15th District Court along with all others in Michigan.

One important limit applies to the online system. Cases filed before August 5, 2006, are not available online. If you need records from before that date, call the court at 734.794.6750 to request them by hand. Staff can look up older cases and provide copies, but the process takes longer than an online search.

Some records never appear in public searches. Sealed cases, Clean Slate expungements, cases resolved under MCL 333.7411, and Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) matters are not visible. Date of birth is hidden in all public results per MCR 1.109, which has been in effect since April 1, 2022. For e-filing of civil cases, the court uses MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov, active since July 13, 2023. Check mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts for the current list of available courts and case types.

The 15th Judicial District Court website is the main hub for Ann Arbor traffic court records, case search links, and court contact details.

The court website covers division contacts, hours, and links to all online services for Ann Arbor traffic cases.

The Ann Arbor 15th District case search tool is how most people look up Ann Arbor traffic court records by name or case number.

Search results include the case type code, charge, assigned court officer, all hearing dates, and the current status of any Ann Arbor traffic case.

What Ann Arbor Traffic Court Records Contain

Ann Arbor traffic court records at the 15th District document each case from citation through final resolution. Civil infraction records (case type SI) show the citation date, the specific violation charged, any assigned court officer, hearing dates, and the outcome. If the case was resolved by payment without a hearing, the record reflects the charge and disposition. If a hearing was held, the record shows whether the infraction was upheld, reduced, or dismissed. Fines ordered by the court are in the docket too. Points assigned to the driver's record are tracked separately by the Secretary of State based on the court's outcome.

Misdemeanor traffic records are more detailed. They show the charge, arraignment information, any release conditions, all pre-trial dates, and the final plea or trial outcome. Sentencing details like fines, probation terms, or jail time are part of the public record. OWI cases under MCL 257.625 are documented in full. Cases coded OD, SD, ST, and FT follow the same pattern. Diversion programs and HYTA resolutions are not public and do not show in any search. The 15th District also hears University of Michigan Regents Ordinance violations, which appear under their own case category in the docket. Copy fees are $1 per page for plain copies and $10 for the first certified page plus $1 for each page after. Transcript costs are set by MCL 600.2543: $3.75 per page for an original and $0.90 per page for a copy, with a $50 minimum fee.

Note: If a record does not appear in the online system, call Traffic and Criminal Division at 734.794.6750, option 2, before assuming the case does not exist.

Responding to an Ann Arbor Traffic Citation

When you get a traffic citation in Ann Arbor, you have three ways to respond: admit the violation, admit with an explanation, or deny the violation. Admitting means you pay the fine and accept the points assigned by state law. Admitting with an explanation means you present context to the court, and the officer or magistrate may reduce the fine, though the violation stays on record. Denying moves the case to a hearing. Informal hearings allow no attorneys. Formal hearings follow standard court rules and allow attorneys on both sides.

You can respond online through the court's online payment portal, by mail, in person at the Justice Center, or by fax if you are admitting with an explanation. Failure to respond by the deadline results in a default judgment. The court enters the violation as upheld, notifies the Secretary of State, and you will owe the fine plus late fees. Your license may also be suspended. Michigan law prohibits courts from taking traffic matters under advisement to avoid points. The Secretary of State assigns points based on the violation code, and courts have no authority to change them. Contact the SOS at michigan.gov/sos or 517-322-1624 to check your record after a case closes.

Traffic Points and Driving Records for Ann Arbor Drivers

Michigan's point system covers all traffic violations in Ann Arbor. OWI under MCL 257.625, reckless driving, fleeing police, and leaving the scene each carry 6 points. Speeding 16 mph or more over the limit adds 5 points. Going 11 to 15 mph over is 4 points. Speeding 1 to 10 over, failing to signal, improper passing, and passing a stopped school bus are each 3 points. Most other civil infraction traffic violations add 2 points.

If your total reaches 12 points within two years, the Michigan Secretary of State schedules a reexamination. You may need to retake written or road tests. Points drop off your record two years from the violation date, but the underlying conviction stays in your driving history. Ann Arbor has a high volume of foot traffic, bike lanes, and vehicle congestion near the University of Michigan campus, Plymouth Road, Washtenaw Avenue, and State Street. Citations are common in these areas. Keep an eye on your point total if you have gotten tickets in the city before. Check your driving record at michigan.gov/sos or call 517-322-1624.

Note: Courts in Michigan set fines but do not control point totals. Only the Secretary of State manages your driving record and license status.

Washtenaw County Traffic Court Records

Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County, and the 15th Judicial District Court serves the city as part of the county court structure. For broader county-level resources, additional court information, and county-wide filing details, visit the Washtenaw County traffic court records page.

View Washtenaw County Traffic Court Records

Nearby Cities

Other Michigan cities near Ann Arbor with traffic court records pages include:

• Detroit
• Lansing
• Dearborn