Washtenaw County Traffic Court Records

Washtenaw County traffic court records are maintained by the 14A District Court and the 15th District Court, which together handle traffic cases for all communities in the county. Whether you need to look up a citation, check case status, or get copies of traffic filings, both courts have search tools available online and in person. Ann Arbor residents use the 15th District Court; all other county residents go through the 14A District Court for their traffic matters.

Washtenaw County District Courts

Two district courts handle traffic cases in Washtenaw County, and which one you deal with depends entirely on where the citation was issued or where you live. The 15th District Court covers the City of Ann Arbor and is run as part of city government. The 14A District Court serves the rest of the county, including Ypsilanti, Saline, Chelsea, and other communities outside Ann Arbor city limits. This split can matter if you're trying to look up a record or pay a fine. Make sure you contact the right court before you show up in person.

The 15th District Court is located at 301 E Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. It operates under the Ann Arbor city government and handles traffic infractions, misdemeanors, and civil cases within Ann Arbor. The court has its own online tools for case lookup and payment. For traffic tickets issued within Ann Arbor city limits, this is your court.

The 14A District Court serves the balance of Washtenaw County outside the City of Ann Arbor. This includes townships like Ann Arbor Township, Pittsfield, Ypsilanti, and the cities of Ypsilanti and Saline. The 14A court handles the bulk of traffic citations written in unincorporated areas and smaller communities throughout the county.

The Washtenaw County website provides general county information and links to both courts. If you are not sure which court has your case, you can also search by name through MiCOURT, which covers both the 14A and 15th District Courts and lets you filter by court location.

Searching Washtenaw County Traffic Court Records

MiCOURT is the free statewide case search tool run by the Michigan Supreme Court. You can search by full name or case number, then filter results by court and case type. Traffic citations, civil infractions, and traffic misdemeanors all appear in MiCOURT when they are public. Sealed records, cases disposed under MCL 333.7411, and HYTA matters do not show. Date of birth is hidden from public results under MCR 1.109, so name searches may return multiple people with the same name. Visit micourt.courts.michigan.gov to search now.

Searching the statewide tool covers both Washtenaw County courts in one step. You can also go directly to each court's own portal if you know which court your case is in. Both courts accept in-person record requests at their clerks' windows. Bring a photo ID and know either the case number or the name of the person you're searching. Staff can print case details and docket entries on request.

Note: Records for sealed cases and certain diversion programs will not appear in any public search tool regardless of where you search.

The Washtenaw County courts also participate in MiFILE, the state's electronic filing system. This system lets attorneys and self-represented parties file documents online. You can check whether your court accepts e-filing at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts.

Washtenaw County Courts Online

The Washtenaw County website serves as a central hub for county services, including links to court departments and public resources. The site gives residents access to information about both district courts, the circuit court, and other county offices.

The county site links out to court-specific portals and gives contact information for each court location, making it useful as a starting point if you are new to the process.

Ann Arbor's city government site at a2gov.org has a dedicated page for the 15th District Court. From there you can find hours, contact numbers, and options for handling your traffic case without a court visit in some situations.

Using the city site is the fastest way to get information specific to Ann Arbor traffic cases, including ticket payment options and court schedules.

Traffic Citation Process in Washtenaw County

When a Washtenaw County officer writes a traffic ticket, the citation goes to the district court with jurisdiction over the location where the stop happened. You have 14 days to respond to the ticket. Michigan law gives you three ways to answer: admit the violation, admit it with an explanation, or deny it. If you admit, you pay the fine and accept any points. If you deny, a hearing is set.

Informal hearings have no attorneys and no officers present. You explain your side to a magistrate or judge. Formal hearings are more like a trial. The officer who issued the citation appears, and you or your attorney can question them. Most minor traffic infractions are handled informally. Serious violations like OWI under MCL 257.625 and reckless driving typically go the formal route.

Points go on your Michigan driving record based on the violation. Courts in Washtenaw County, like all Michigan courts, cannot take a traffic infraction under advisement or change the point count. That is set by state law. Six points attach to OWI convictions, reckless driving, fleeing police, leaving the scene, and negligent homicide. Speeding 16 mph or more over the limit is five points. Speeding 11 to 15 mph over is four points. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit, failing to stop for a school bus, and improper passing are each three points.

If you reach 12 points within any two-year window, the Michigan Secretary of State schedules a reexamination. The Secretary of State's office manages driving records and can be reached at 517-322-1624. Your abstract shows every conviction and point added over time.

Michigan Court Tools for Washtenaw Records

The Michigan Courts website run by the State Court Administrative Office gives access to statewide tools, court directories, and administrative information. From here you can navigate to MiCOURT, MiFILE, and the trial courts directory for Washtenaw County.

The Michigan Courts site is updated regularly and is the most reliable place to find current court hours, emergency orders, and links to official case search tools.

For online payment of traffic fines, the state runs ePAY. This portal accepts payments for eligible Washtenaw County traffic cases. Not every case is eligible for online payment, so check your citation or contact the court if you are not sure. The ICHAT background check system at michigan.gov/ichat lets you search criminal history records statewide for $10 per search, though it does not replace a full court record search.

Michigan also operates problem-solving courts that may be relevant for drivers with repeat offenses or underlying issues. The problem-solving courts program includes sobriety courts and other specialty dockets that can affect traffic case outcomes in Washtenaw County.

Washtenaw County Traffic Record Fees

Getting copies of traffic court records in Washtenaw County costs money. The standard rate is $1 per page for plain copies. Certified copies run $10 for the first page plus $1 for each page after that. Transcript costs are governed by MCL 600.2543, which sets the rate at $3.75 per page for the original, $0.90 per page for copies, and a $50 minimum fee for the court reporter's time.

Records requests that go through the Freedom of Information Act follow MCL 15.231. Courts must respond within five business days. The first $20 of copying costs is waived for people who show financial hardship. You can ask for a fee waiver at the clerk's window when you submit your request.

MiFILE handles electronic document filing for attorneys and self-represented parties, reducing the need for in-person trips to file or retrieve documents in Washtenaw County cases.

Cities in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor is the largest city in Washtenaw County and the only one with a dedicated city page. Traffic cases in Ann Arbor are handled by the 15th District Court.

Other communities in Washtenaw County include Ypsilanti, Saline, Chelsea, and Dexter. Traffic citations in these areas go through the 14A District Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washtenaw County. Each has its own district courts handling local traffic cases.