Cass County Traffic Court Records Search
Cass County traffic court records are filed and maintained by the 43rd District Court in Cassopolis. If you received a traffic citation in Cass County or need to look up an existing case, the 43rd District Court is where those records are kept. You can search online for free using Michigan's MiCOURT system, visit the courthouse in person, or contact the court directly. This page covers how to find Cass County traffic records, what the files contain, how to respond to a ticket, and how to request copies.
Cass County Overview
43rd District Court - Cass County
The 43rd District Court handles all traffic matters for Cass County. It is located at the Cass County Courthouse, 120 N. Broadway, Cassopolis, MI 49031. This includes civil infractions like speeding and running red lights, as well as misdemeanor traffic violations. The 43rd District Court has its own website at casscourtsmi.org, which provides court information, contact details, and links to resources for people with active cases.
The Cass County government site at casscountymi.gov covers all county departments and can help you find the right office for your needs. If you have a traffic case and need to check your hearing date, make a payment, or get a copy of a record, starting with the 43rd District Court website or calling the clerk's office is the most direct route.
Cass County is in southwest Michigan near the Indiana state line. For felony-level traffic offenses, the Cass County Circuit Court handles those cases. The district and circuit courts both operate at the Cassopolis courthouse complex.
| Court | 43rd District Court |
|---|---|
| Court Website | casscourtsmi.org |
| Address | Cass County Courthouse, 120 N. Broadway, Cassopolis, MI 49031 |
| County Website | casscountymi.gov |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call to confirm) |
| Copy Fee | $1.00 per page (plain); $10.00 + $1.00/page (certified) |
The Cass County Sheriff maintains traffic stop and arrest records. You can find the sheriff's office contact info through the county website.
Search Cass County Traffic Records Online
The best free tool for searching Cass County traffic court records is MiCOURT. Michigan courts built this public system so anyone can look up case data without creating an account. Visit micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ and pick the 43rd District Court from the list. You can search by person name, case number, or ticket number. Results show the case type, filing date, charges, docket entries, hearing schedule, and final outcome.
Some records are excluded from public view. Sealed cases do not appear. Cases expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate law are removed from public results. Drug cases dismissed under MCL 333.7411 and cases resolved under HYTA are also hidden. Dates of birth are not shown in online searches since MCR 1.109 took effect on April 1, 2022. If you cannot find a case in MiCOURT, it may be sealed, expunged, or handled under one of those exclusions.
For electronic filing, check MiFILE to see whether the 43rd District Court accepts e-filings. Fine payments for Cass County cases can be made through the Michigan courts online ePay portal.
The screenshot below shows the Michigan Secretary of State site, which handles driver records tied to any Cass County traffic conviction or civil infraction finding.
The Secretary of State at michigan.gov/sos manages license records and point totals for anyone with a Cass County traffic court outcome.
What Cass County Traffic Records Contain
Each traffic case file at the 43rd District Court in Cass County captures the full history of that matter. The record opens with the citation data: the date and location of the stop, the specific charge code, the officer's information, and the issuing agency. From there, every action the court takes on the case gets added as a docket entry. Scheduled hearings, continuances, payment records, and correspondence all appear in the file.
The disposition entry closes the record. It tells you how the case ended. Did the person pay? Did they request a hearing? Were they found responsible after a hearing? If a fine was imposed, the amount is in the record. For misdemeanor traffic offenses, including reckless driving under MCL 257.626 and OWI under MCL 257.625, the record also shows the plea, the sentence, probation conditions, and any license-related orders.
Driver's license points are not part of the court file. Points are tracked separately by the Secretary of State and are not visible in MiCOURT or court documents.
The Michigan trial courts directory lists the 43rd District Court and provides official contact information for Cass County traffic cases.
Responding to a Traffic Ticket in Cass County
A civil infraction ticket in Cass County must be answered within 14 days of the date it was issued. The ticket lists your response options and the deadline. Failing to respond is a serious mistake. The 43rd District Court enters a default judgment, which notifies the Secretary of State. That can trigger a license suspension, and points are assessed automatically at the default level.
You have three options. Paying the fine on the ticket is the simplest path. It is an admission of responsibility and closes the case, but points go on your record. The second option is admitting responsibility with an explanation. You write a statement to the magistrate explaining your situation. The magistrate reviews your letter and may lower the fine. The admission and the points still stand, but you might save some money. The third option is denying responsibility and requesting a hearing. You can pick an informal hearing before a magistrate (faster, no lawyers) or a formal hearing before a judge (requires the officer to appear, lawyers are allowed). If you lose the informal hearing, you have 7 days to appeal by requesting a formal hearing.
Michigan courts do not offer traffic diversion programs where the charge disappears after you attend a class. The court record reflects the actual outcome. Driver improvement courses through the Secretary of State are a separate matter and may reduce points, but they do not change what is filed at the 43rd District Court.
Note: The 43rd District Court's website at casscourtsmi.org may have additional information on local procedures, forms, and payment options.
Getting Copies of Cass County Traffic Court Records
The 43rd District Court clerk's office in Cassopolis provides copies of Cass County traffic court records. Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours. You can also request by mail. Include the case number or the full name and approximate date of the case. Mail requests go to 120 N. Broadway, Cassopolis, MI 49031.
Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $10.00 for the first page and $1.00 per page after that. Transcript fees under MCL 600.2543 are $3.75 per page for the original and $0.90 per page for additional copies, with a minimum of $50.00 per transcript. Call the court or check the court website at casscourtsmi.org to confirm current payment methods before visiting.
FOIA requests for records held by Cass County government fall under MCL 15.231. The county has 5 business days to respond. Indigent requesters can have the first $20.00 in fees waived. Records governed by Michigan Court Rules rather than FOIA are still available through the clerk at the standard copy rates.
Points and Your Driving Record in Michigan
When the 43rd District Court in Cassopolis reports a Cass County traffic case outcome, the Secretary of State adds points to the driver's record. Courts do not control points. They only report the outcome. Everything related to your license happens at the state level.
Michigan point values: OWI, reckless driving, fleeing police, leaving an accident scene, and manslaughter with a vehicle are each 6 points. Speeding 16 or more mph over the limit is 5 points. Going 11 to 15 mph over is 4 points. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over, running a red light, improper passing, and failing to yield for a school bus are 3 points each. All other moving violations are 2 points. Hitting 12 points within two years means the Secretary of State schedules a mandatory reexamination of your driving privileges.
You can view your driving record and check your current point total through the Michigan Secretary of State at michigan.gov/sos or by calling (517) 322-1624. You can also check criminal history records from Cass County serious traffic cases through the State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/Login.aspx.
Cities in Cass County
Cassopolis is the county seat and home of the 43rd District Court. No cities in Cass County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All traffic cases from Cass County are handled at the Cassopolis courthouse, regardless of the location where the citation was issued.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Cass County. Each has its own district court for local traffic matters.