Access Southfield Traffic Court Records
Southfield traffic court records are filed and maintained at the 46th District Court in Oakland County. The 46th District handles civil infraction traffic cases and misdemeanor traffic offenses for the city of Southfield, Michigan. You can search Southfield traffic court records online using the state's free MiCOURT public portal or by contacting the court directly at its Evergreen Road location. This page covers how to find and request records, what those records contain, how to respond to a citation, and how the state's point system works.
Southfield Overview
46th District Court - Southfield Traffic Court
All traffic cases in Southfield are handled by the 46th District Court, located at 26000 Evergreen Road in Southfield. The court is part of the Oakland County court system and covers civil infraction traffic matters such as speeding, improper lane use, and failure to stop, as well as misdemeanor traffic offenses including operating while intoxicated. The main phone number for the 46th District Court is 248-796-5870. Oakland County maintains a district court page for the 46th at oakgov.com/courts/district-courts/46th.
| Court | 46th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 26000 Evergreen Road Southfield, MI 48076 |
| Phone | 248-796-5870 |
| Oakland County Courts | oakgov.com - 46th District |
The 46th District Court serves Southfield and processes a high volume of traffic citations each year from city streets and major corridors running through the area. Traffic infractions and misdemeanor traffic cases both go through this court. The Oakland County website provides current information on court hours, services, and contacts for the 46th District. If you need to request records or appear in person, the court at 26000 Evergreen Road is the right location for Southfield traffic matters.
The screenshot below shows the Michigan Secretary of State website, which manages driver licenses, vehicle registration, and driving records for all Michigan residents including those in Southfield. The SOS is the agency responsible for adding and removing points from driving records statewide.
The Michigan Secretary of State website handles driving records, license status, and reinstatement matters for drivers in Southfield and across the state.
The SOS site lets you order driving records, check license status, and find reinstatement requirements after a suspension tied to Southfield traffic court cases.
The screenshot below shows the MiFILE portal, Michigan's electronic court filing system. Attorneys and self-represented parties can use MiFILE to file documents in courts where it is available, including those handling Southfield traffic court records.
The MiFILE portal is the state's e-filing platform for Michigan courts, including district courts serving Southfield traffic cases.
MiFILE lists which Michigan courts accept electronic filings. Check the available courts page to confirm whether the 46th District Court is currently enrolled.
Searching Southfield Traffic Court Records
The best way to search Southfield traffic court records online is through MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search. The portal is free and does not require registration. You can search by name or case number and filter by court, case type, or status. Results from the 46th District Court include party names, charges, hearing dates, case status, and dispositions. Cases usually appear within a few days of filing. The system is available around the clock.
If you need certified copies of Southfield traffic court records, contact the 46th District Court at 248-796-5870. Michigan law under MCL 600.2543 sets the copy fee schedule. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page plus $1 per additional page. Transcripts cost $3.75 per page for an original and $0.90 per page for a copy, with a $50 minimum. For FOIA requests, MCL 15.231 applies. The court must respond within 5 business days. Indigent requestors get the first $20 of fees waived.
Not all records are publicly visible in MiCOURT. Sealed cases, expungements under the Clean Slate Act, HYTA cases, and certain drug-related cases under MCL 333.7411 are hidden from public view. Date of birth is also suppressed in all MiCOURT results under MCR 1.109, which went into effect April 1, 2022. For access to non-public records, contact the 46th District Court directly.
Michigan's e-filing system MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts shows which courts are enrolled for electronic filings. Verify whether the 46th District Court is on the list before attempting to file electronically in a Southfield traffic case.
Note: MiCOURT shows court case records only. It does not display your full driving history. Contact the Michigan Secretary of State at michigan.gov/sos or 517-322-1624 for your official driving record.
What Southfield Traffic Court Records Include
Civil infraction records at the 46th District Court show the citation number, the date and location of the violation, the specific charge filed, and how the case was resolved. If a hearing was held, the record includes the date, the name of the judge or magistrate, and the ruling. Fines assessed and points applied to the driver's record are part of the public case file. Common civil infraction charges in Southfield include speeding, improper turns, cell phone use while driving, and failure to yield.
Misdemeanor traffic records carry more detail. They show the criminal charge, arraignment information, bond conditions, all scheduled court dates, and the final disposition. Sentencing outcomes such as fines, probation, or jail time are public. OWI offenses under MCL 257.625 generate full criminal records that remain on file indefinitely unless expunged. These records can affect employment, insurance rates, and background check results. The 46th District Court is the keeper of all Southfield traffic court records within its jurisdiction.
How to Respond to a Southfield Traffic Citation
A traffic citation in Southfield gives you three choices: admit the violation and pay the fine, admit with an explanation, or deny the violation and ask for a hearing. You have 14 days from the date of the citation to respond. You can respond by mail, by phone at 248-796-5870, in person at the 46th District Court, or through a lawyer. If you miss the 14-day deadline, the court enters a default judgment. That adds points to your driving record, may trigger a license suspension, and tacks on extra fees beyond the original fine amount.
Admitting means you pay in full and accept all points. Admitting with an explanation lets you present your situation to the court. The judge or magistrate may reduce the fine, but the violation itself still stands and points apply. Denying means you want a hearing. Informal hearings are simpler and do not require an attorney. Formal hearings follow Michigan court rules. Either way, the court has no authority to adjust the number of points assigned to a specific violation. Those values are fixed by the Michigan Vehicle Code and cannot be changed by a local judge.
Points and Your Southfield Driving Record
Michigan's point system tracks driving behavior statewide, and all traffic violations resolved at the 46th District Court contribute to it. OWI under MCL 257.625, reckless driving, fleeing a police officer, and leaving the scene of an accident each add 6 points. Speeding 16 or more mph over the limit is 5 points. Speeding 11 to 15 mph over adds 4 points. Going 1 to 10 mph over the limit, running a red light, and failing to stop for a school bus are 3 points each. Most other violations add 2 points.
Points remain on your record for two years from the date of the violation. Accumulating 12 or more points in a two-year period triggers a required reexamination by the Michigan Secretary of State. The SOS office manages all driving records and can be reached at michigan.gov/sos or by calling 517-322-1624. Courts in Michigan have no authority to clear points from your record. That happens only through the passage of time.
Note: Even if a case is dismissed on a procedural technicality, points may still apply if the underlying violation was upheld. Check with the 46th District Court if you have questions about your specific case.
Oakland County Traffic Court Records
Southfield is located in Oakland County, and all traffic filings in the city go through the 46th District Court, which operates within the Oakland County court system. For broader county-level information on courts, procedures, and records access across Oakland County, visit the Oakland County traffic court records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Southfield with their own traffic court records pages include: