Find Traffic Court Records in Crawford County

Crawford County traffic court records are kept by the 87-C District Court in Grayling. Whether you need to look up a case, check a ticket status, or get a copy of a traffic record, this page explains how the process works. The court handles civil infractions and misdemeanor traffic cases for all of Crawford County. You can search records online through MiCOURT or contact the court directly at its Grayling location.

87-C District Court - Crawford County

The 87-C District Court at 200 W. Michigan Avenue in Grayling is where all traffic cases in Crawford County are filed and heard. The court handles civil infractions, misdemeanor traffic charges, and related matters. Serious felony traffic cases go to the 46th Circuit Court, which shares the same address and building. Judge Colin G. Hunter and Judge George J. Mertz both serve on the circuit bench. Court Administrator and Magistrate Angie Cragg handles concluded proceedings; you can reach her at (989) 344-3882.

The traffic division has its own direct line: (989) 344-3245. General court calls go to (989) 344-3242. Criminal matters are handled at (989) 344-3240. If you are in the probation program, call (989) 344-3252. Circuit court matters go through (989) 344-3206. The court also uses Zoom for some hearings; call (989) 344-3240 for traffic or criminal hearing instructions and access details.

The Crawford County courts page at crawfordco.org lists current court contacts and has a link to pay fines online. The 46th Circuit Court also has its own site at circuit46.org with additional resources.

Crawford County Traffic Records Online Search

MiCOURT is Michigan's free public case search tool and the fastest way to look up Crawford County traffic court records. You don't need to register or pay anything to use it. Go to micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ and select the 87-C District Court. Search by the person's name, case number, or ticket number. Results load within seconds.

The system shows the case type, charges, filing date, hearing schedule, docket entries, and current case status. You can filter by case type (traffic, criminal, civil) and by status (open, pending, adjudicated, disposed, closed). This makes it easy to find a specific type of matter without scrolling through everything. There are limits to what you can see, though. Sealed records do not appear. Clean Slate expungements are removed from the public view. Cases resolved under MCL 333.7411 for drugs or under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act are also hidden. Dates of birth are no longer shown per MCR 1.109 as of April 2022.

For e-filing, check the MiFILE available courts list at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts. Fine payment is available online through the Crawford County courts page.

MiCOURT covers Crawford County cases and lets you search the 87-C District Court for free, any time.

What's in a Crawford County Traffic Case File

A traffic case file in Crawford County starts with the citation. It lists the charge, the date and location of the stop, the officer who issued it, and the ticket number. As the case moves forward, everything that happens gets logged as a docket entry: appearances, hearing dates, payments, any continuances, and the final outcome.

The final disposition is often what people are looking for. It shows whether the person was found responsible, not responsible, or if the case was dismissed. For criminal traffic charges like reckless driving under MCL 257.626 or OWI under MCL 257.625, the file includes the charge, plea, sentence, and any conditions of probation. If a fine was ordered, the payment history is also part of the record. Certified copies of these records are available from the court clerk.

The Crawford County courts page links to case search, fine payment, and court contact information all in one place.

How to Respond to a Traffic Ticket in Crawford County

Crawford County follows Michigan's standard civil infraction process. Most tickets give you 10 days to respond, not the standard 14 you see elsewhere. Read your ticket carefully. If you do nothing, the court enters a default judgment. That means points get assessed through the Secretary of State, and 45 days after that your license goes into suspension if outstanding fines are not paid. Reinstatement fees apply on top of that.

You have four choices when you respond. Admitting responsibility means you pay the fine listed on the ticket and accept the points. Admitting with an explanation means you send a written statement for the magistrate to review. The magistrate may reduce the fine based on the circumstances, but cannot waive points. Requesting an informal hearing puts you before the magistrate without an attorney. If you lose and want to appeal, you must post a bond equal to the fine amount and file within 7 days. A formal hearing is before a judge, attorneys are allowed, and the citing officer will be present to testify.

Michigan law is clear that courts cannot take traffic cases under advisement. There is no diversion where you attend a class and the charge disappears from the court's record. That said, a Secretary of State approved defensive driving or driver improvement course can reduce points on your driving record as a separate state-level process.

The traffic tickets page at crawfordco.org/courts/traffic-tickets explains local options and how to respond to a citation issued in Crawford County.

The traffic tickets page on the Crawford County site walks you through your response options and deadlines specific to this court.

Copies and Record Requests

To get copies of Crawford County traffic court records, go to the 87-C District Court clerk's office at 200 W. Michigan Avenue in Grayling. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff can search by name and date. Regular copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 for the first page plus $1.00 per additional page. Transcript fees under MCL 600.2543 are $3.75 per page for the original and $0.90 per page for copies, with a $50 minimum charge.

For concluded proceedings or older cases, contact Magistrate Angie Cragg at (989) 344-3882. She handles requests tied to cases that are no longer active. If you prefer to request records by mail, write to 200 W. Michigan Avenue, Grayling, MI 49738 and include a description of the case, the name of the party, and the approximate filing date.

Note: The 46th Circuit Court has its own clerk's office for circuit-level traffic felonies. Its contact information is at circuit46.org.

The 46th Circuit Court site at circuit46.org covers felony traffic cases in Crawford County and has its own records and contact information.

Points, Driving Records, and the Secretary of State

The 87-C District Court reports conviction and civil infraction outcomes to the Michigan Secretary of State. The Secretary of State then assigns points to your driving record. The court itself does not control points and cannot remove or reduce them. Only the Secretary of State handles that side of things.

The Michigan point scale for traffic violations starts at 2 points for basic moving violations and goes up to 6 points for serious offenses. Six-point violations include OWI (MCL 257.625), reckless driving, fleeing or eluding police, leaving the scene of an accident, and vehicular manslaughter. Speeding 16 or more mph over the limit is 5 points. Going 11 to 15 over is 4. Speeding 1 to 10 over, disobeying a traffic signal, improper passing, and failing to stop for a school bus are each 3 points. Accumulate 12 points within two years and the Secretary of State requires a reexamination of your driving fitness.

You can view your Michigan driving record and check current points through the Secretary of State at michigan.gov/sos. Phone inquiries go to (517) 322-1624. Your driving record is separate from the court's case file. Both can be relevant depending on why you need the information.

Cities in Crawford County

Grayling is the county seat and home of the 87-C District Court. No cities in Crawford County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All traffic cases in the county are processed at the Grayling courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Crawford County. Each runs its own district court for local traffic matters.