Detroit Traffic Court Records

Detroit traffic court records are filed and maintained at the 36th District Court, the largest district court in Michigan and one of the busiest courts in the United States. The 36th District handles all civil infraction traffic cases and misdemeanor traffic offenses for the city of Detroit. You can search Detroit traffic court records online through the state's MiCOURT portal or by contacting the court's Traffic Division directly. This page explains how to find case records, what the records show, how to respond to a citation, and what to expect from the process.

36th District Court - Detroit Traffic Court

All traffic cases in Detroit go through the 36th District Court at 421 Madison Street in downtown Detroit. The court has 28 judges and 6 magistrates, making it the largest district court in the state. The Traffic Division handles civil infractions such as speeding, illegal turns, and red light violations. It also handles misdemeanor traffic offenses, which carry a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail. City ordinance violations and environmental cases are also part of the court's jurisdiction.

The 36th District Court's Traffic Division is one of the busiest in the country. It handles a high volume of citations each year, covering everything from minor civil infractions to more serious misdemeanor traffic offenses. The court serves all of Detroit, which means any ticket issued within city limits comes here. Online payment is available at the court's online payment portal for those who want to pay without going in person.

How to Search Detroit Traffic Court Records

The main tool for searching Detroit traffic court records is the state's free MiCOURT public case search portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search. You can search by name or case number and filter results by case type or status. MiCOURT pulls data from the 36th District Court's docket. Results show party names, charges, hearing dates, case status, and dispositions. Most traffic cases appear within a few days of filing. The portal is free to use and open around the clock.

The 36th District Court website provides access to traffic case information and online payment tools directly. If you need certified copies of court documents, you contact the FOIA and records office at (313) 965-4153. Copy fees in Michigan are set under MCL 600.2543 and the court's own fee schedule. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page. Transcript requests follow a different rate schedule under state law.

MiCOURT does not show certain case types. Sealed records, Clean Slate expungements, cases resolved under MCL 333.7411, and HYTA (Holmes Youthful Trainee Act) cases are not visible in the public portal. Date of birth is also hidden for all users per MCR 1.109. For these kinds of records, you need to contact the 36th District Court directly.

The 36th District Court is one of the courts available through MiFILE, Michigan's e-filing system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov. Attorneys and self-represented parties can file documents electronically. Check the available courts list to confirm current access for the 36th District.

The screenshot below shows the 36th District Court's official website, where you can find Traffic Division details, case information, and payment tools for Detroit traffic cases.

The 36th District Court website is the starting point for Detroit traffic records, case lookups, and online payments.

The court site lists division contacts, hours, and direct links to online services for Detroit traffic cases.

The Traffic Division page gives specific guidance on how to handle civil infraction and misdemeanor traffic citations issued in Detroit.

This page explains the difference between civil infractions and misdemeanor traffic offenses, and how to respond to each.

What Detroit Traffic Court Records Contain

Detroit traffic court records at the 36th District Court include a range of details about each case. Civil infraction records show the citation number, the date and location of the alleged violation, the charge (such as speeding, failure to stop, or improper lane use), and the outcome. If a hearing was held, the record will include the hearing date, the judge or magistrate assigned, and whether the infraction was upheld, reduced, or dismissed. Points assessed to the driver's record and any fines or fees ordered also appear in the case docket.

Misdemeanor traffic records show more. They include the charge, arraignment date, any bond set, hearing dates, and the final disposition. Sentencing details such as fines, probation, or jail time are part of the public record. If a warrant was ever issued in the case, that also appears. For OWI (operating while intoxicated) under MCL 257.625, the record reflects the full criminal proceeding. These records stay on file indefinitely unless expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate law.

Note: Dates of birth are never shown in MiCOURT results, and sealed or expunged cases will not appear in any public search.

Responding to a Detroit Traffic Citation

When you get a traffic citation in Detroit, you have three options: admit the violation, admit with an explanation, or deny the violation. You have 14 days from the date of the citation to respond. You can respond by mail, by phone, in person at the 36th District Court, or through a legal representative. If you fail to respond within 14 days, the court enters a default judgment against you. That means points go on your driving record, the Secretary of State may suspend your license, and you will owe the judgment amount plus late fees and a reinstatement fee.

Admitting the violation means you pay the full fine and accept the points. Admitting with an explanation means you want to tell the court your side of the story. The judge or magistrate hears you out and may reduce the fine, but points are still assessed if the violation is upheld. Denying the violation means you want a formal or informal hearing. Informal hearings do not involve attorneys. Formal hearings follow more structured rules. The court cannot take a case under advisement or change the points assigned by the state for a given violation. Points are set by the Michigan Vehicle Code, not by the court.

The online payment portal at 36thdistrictcourtmi.gov/online-payment lets you pay fines without visiting the courthouse in person.

Online payment is available for most civil infraction traffic citations issued in Detroit. Check the portal for accepted case types before using it.

Traffic Points and Your Detroit Driving Record

Michigan uses a point system to track driving behavior. Points are added to your record when you are found responsible for a traffic violation. The number of points depends on the severity of the offense. OWI under MCL 257.625, reckless driving, fleeing police, and leaving the scene of an accident each carry 6 points. Speeding 16 miles per hour or more over the limit is 5 points. Speeding 11 to 15 mph over is 4 points. Going 1 to 10 mph over, failing to signal, improper passing, and passing a stopped school bus are each 3 points. Most other violations add 2 points.

If you reach 12 points within a two-year period, the Michigan Secretary of State will require you to take a reexamination. The Secretary of State's office at michigan.gov/sos handles all driving record matters. You can reach them at 517-322-1624. Points stay on your driving record for two years from the date of the violation. They do not go away just because a case is dismissed on procedural grounds if the underlying violation was upheld.

Note: Courts in Michigan cannot reduce or remove points. Only the Secretary of State manages your driving record, and only the passage of time removes points.

Wayne County Traffic Court Records

Detroit is the county seat of Wayne County. All traffic court filings in Detroit go through the 36th District Court, which operates within the Wayne County court system. For broader county-level information on courts, filing procedures, and resources across Wayne County, visit the Wayne County traffic court records page.

View Wayne County Traffic Court Records

Nearby Cities

Other cities near Detroit with their own traffic court records pages include:

• Dearborn
• Livonia
• Westland
• Warren