Lansing Traffic Court Records
Lansing traffic court records are handled by the 54A District Court, located on the sixth floor of City Hall at 124 W. Michigan Ave. As Michigan's state capital, Lansing is in Ingham County, and the 54A District Court processes all traffic citations issued within city limits. You can search cases online through MiCOURT, pay fines electronically, or visit the court in person to get copies of records or ask about your case status.
Lansing Overview
54A District Court - Lansing Traffic Court Records
The 54A District Court serves Lansing and handles all traffic cases filed within the city. The court sits on the sixth floor of City Hall and has three main divisions: Civil, Criminal and Traffic, and Probation. Traffic matters fall under the Criminal and Traffic division. This is the court you deal with whether you got a civil infraction ticket, a misdemeanor traffic charge, or are trying to get a copy of an old case.
| Court | 54A District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | City Hall, 6th Floor 124 W. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 |
| Phone | (517) 483-4433 |
| Fax | (517) 483-4412 |
| Website | lansingmi.gov - 54A District Court |
Note: Do not confuse the 54A District Court with the 54B District Court in East Lansing, which is a separate court at 101 Linden St. serving a different jurisdiction. If your citation was issued in East Lansing, you need the 54B court, not the 54A in Lansing.
How to Search Lansing Traffic Court Records
The easiest way to search Lansing traffic court records is through MiCOURT, the state's free online case search tool. You can look up cases by name or case number and filter by case type or status. MiCOURT shows public case records from the 54A District Court. Some records are not visible online, including sealed cases, Clean Slate records, and cases dismissed under MCL 333.7411 or HYTA. Date of birth is also hidden in online results per court rule MCR 1.109. Start your search at micourt.courts.michigan.gov.
The 54A District Court also offers online court records access directly through the city's website. You can pay court fines online, search for outstanding warrants, and request a traffic ticket review through the online services portal. These tools are available around the clock and don't require a trip to the courthouse. For e-filing in eligible cases, check MiFILE to see if the 54A District Court is listed as an available court.
The city's website at lansingmi.gov has more details on what each online service covers. The court can only release records that originate from the 54A District Court and are considered public under state law. A local administrative order governs what the court releases and how.
The 54A District Court's record request page at lansingmi.gov/236/Record-Requests explains the full process for getting copies of traffic records. Certified copies cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Plain copies are $1 per page. If you need a certified record for court, insurance, or legal purposes, call (517) 483-4433 before you go in so you know what to bring.
The screenshot below shows the 54A District Court page on the City of Lansing website, where you can find links to online services, case search tools, and contact details for each division.
The 54A District Court page lists all available online tools and gives direct contact info for the traffic division, so you can reach the right staff quickly.
Lansing Traffic Court Record Requests
Getting a copy of a Lansing traffic court record starts with the 54A District Court. You can request records in person, by mail, or through the court's online portal. The court will only release records that originate from its jurisdiction and are classified as public. Not every case is open to the public. Sealed records, juvenile records, and records protected by statute are not available without a court order.
The record request portal at lansingmi.gov/236/Record-Requests walks you through what information you need to submit. You will typically need the full name of the person, a case number if you have it, and your mailing address. Processing times vary. If you need a certified copy for an official purpose, allow extra time. Plain copies are faster and cheaper but may not be accepted for official use.
The screenshot below shows the Record Requests page for the 54A District Court, where you can submit requests and see current processing details.
This page outlines fees and the steps to follow when submitting a records request to the 54A District Court in Lansing.
Note: Under MCL 600.2543, there are set fee schedules for copies of court records. The first certified page costs $10, and each additional page is $1. Plain copies run $1 per page. FOIA requests under MCL 15.231 must be fulfilled within 5 business days.
Responding to a Lansing Traffic Citation
When you get a traffic ticket in Lansing, you have 14 days to respond. You can admit the violation, admit with an explanation, or deny it. If you admit it, you pay the fine and accept the points. If you admit with an explanation, you can tell the magistrate your side. If you deny it, the case goes to a hearing, either informal (no attorneys) or formal (attorneys allowed).
If you miss the 14-day window without responding, the court enters a default judgment against you. That means points, fines, and possible license suspension. The Secretary of State gets notified automatically. Points range from 2 for minor violations up to 6 for serious ones like OWI under MCL 257.625, reckless driving, fleeing, or leaving the scene. Speeding 16 mph or more over the limit adds 5 points. Going 11 to 15 over adds 4. Going 1 to 10 over adds 3 points.
Judges at the 54A District Court cannot waive, raise, or lower points on traffic convictions. They also cannot take traffic cases under advisement or change the points assigned by law. If you reach 12 points within 2 years, the Secretary of State will require a reexamination. For the Michigan Courts website and general traffic resources, visit courts.michigan.gov.
Online Tools for Lansing Traffic Records
Michigan offers several free online tools that connect directly to Lansing traffic court data. MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is the main case search portal. It pulls live data from district courts statewide, including the 54A. You search by name or case number and can filter results by case type or status. The results show party names, charges, court dates, and case outcomes. Personal info like date of birth is hidden in public results.
MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov handles electronic filing for courts that have opted in. Check the available courts page at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts to see if the 54A District Court accepts e-filings. The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has guides on how each tool works and what records are public.
The screenshot below shows the Michigan Courts official website, which links to all statewide court tools including MiCOURT and MiFILE.
The Michigan Courts site is the central hub for finding court resources, case search tools, and guidance on accessing traffic records statewide.
Secretary of State and Driving Records
The Michigan Secretary of State keeps your driving record separate from the court file. Court records show what happened in the case. Your driving record from the Secretary of State shows the points on your license, any suspensions, and your full driving history. These are two different records from two different agencies. You need both if you want the full picture.
You can contact the Michigan Secretary of State at michigan.gov/sos or by phone at 517-322-1624. If your traffic case in Lansing resulted in a conviction, the court notifies the Secretary of State automatically. Points are added to your record from that date. ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat gives access to criminal history records for $10 per search, but this is separate from traffic infractions and driving records.
Ingham County Traffic Court Records
Lansing sits in Ingham County. The 54A District Court handles Lansing traffic cases, but the county-level page covers court resources across all of Ingham County, including other district courts in the area and the circuit court. For more on Ingham County courts, fees, and access options, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Other Michigan cities with traffic court record pages include: