Criminal records in Berrien County, Michigan, can be accessed through several channels. BerrienCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include Michigan's statewide court case search system, the Berrien County Sheriff's Office, and the County Clerk's office, which serves as Clerk of the Circuit Court and maintains court records for the county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Berrien
There are multiple ways to look up criminal records in Berrien County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- BerrienCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information associated with Berrien County criminal cases.
- MiCOURT Case Search — Michigan's statewide court portal lets you search Berrien Circuit Court, Berrien District Court, and Berrien Juvenile Division cases by name, case number, or attorney. Results are informational and do not replace official court records.
- Michigan State Police ICHAT — The Internet Criminal History Access Tool provides public criminal history record information maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. ICHAT searches return conviction records statewide.
- Berrien County Inmate Search — The Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate lookup tool showing individuals currently held in the Berrien County Jail, including booking dates and charges. Charges listed are accusations only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- MDOC Offender Search (OTIS) — For individuals sentenced to the Michigan Department of Corrections, the Offender Tracking Information System provides current status, location, and sentence details. This tool does not cover county jail inmates or those sentenced to jail only.
In Person
Visit the Berrien County Clerk's Office at the courthouse in St. Joseph. As Clerk of the Circuit Court, this office opens, maintains, and stores criminal case files. You can request a records check or ask to view case documents at the counter.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Berrien County Clerk's Office for a court records check. Include the full legal name of the individual and any other identifying details you have, such as date of birth or case number. For statewide criminal history, you can also submit a request through the Michigan State Police.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required for online tools)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- Approximate date range or court division (Circuit, District) if known
Search Berrien Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can pull up a specific case directly through the MiCOURT Case Search portal. Michigan uses a standardized case number format across all trial courts.
A typical Berrien County case number looks like this:
- Court code — A two-digit number identifying the court (e.g., "11" for Berrien County Trial Court)
- Year — The two-digit or four-digit year the case was filed
- Case type code — A two-letter abbreviation indicating the type of case. Common criminal codes include:
- FH — Circuit Court felony
- FY — Circuit Court felony (certain categories)
- SM — District Court misdemeanor
- SD — District Court drunk driving
- Sequence number — A unique number assigned in order of filing
For example, a case number like 2024-000123-FH indicates a felony case filed in 2024. Enter the full case number in the search tool to retrieve charges, hearing dates, parties, and disposition information.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Berrien
Charges
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) section cited in the charging document (e.g., MCL 750.110a for home invasion) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or civil infraction — felonies are heard in Circuit Court; misdemeanors and infractions typically in District Court |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations; the amended charge replaces or supplements the original |
| Count number | Each separate offense is listed as a distinct count |
Case Status
- Pending — Case filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — A final outcome has been entered (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled and case administratively closed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally informed of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary examination — In felony cases, a judge determines whether probable cause exists to bind the case over to Circuit Court
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys and the judge discuss case management, potential pleas, and scheduling
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Judge imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution
- Nolle prosequi — Prosecution declines to pursue the case
- Deferred/delayed sentence — Under MCL 771.1, the court may delay sentencing; if conditions are met, the case may be dismissed
- HYTA (Holmes Youthful Trainee Act) — For eligible defendants ages 17–26; successful completion results in the case not appearing as a public conviction
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Berrien
County Clerk's Office (Clerk of the Circuit Court)
The Berrien County Clerk handles certified copies of court documents for cases filed in Circuit Court. Submit your request in person, by mail, or by contacting the office directly.
What to include with your request:
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Valid photo identification if requesting in person
- Payment for applicable fees
Sheriff's Office Records Division
For arrest records and police reports generated by the Berrien County Sheriff's Office, contact the Records Division. Requests may be subject to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Michigan State Police
For a statewide criminal history record, use the Michigan State Police Criminal History Records page. ICHAT provides public access to conviction information. Fingerprint-based background checks for employment or licensing go through the Michigan State Police as well.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Berrien
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal records check (per individual) | $10 | Berrien County Clerk |
| Certified copy of court document | $11 + $1 per page | Berrien County Clerk |
| ICHAT public criminal history search | $10 | Michigan State Police |
| Non-certified copy of court document | Varies; contact Clerk's Office | Berrien County Clerk |
Processing Times
- Online searches (MiCOURT, ICHAT, Inmate Search) — Results are typically immediate.
- In-person records checks — Often completed the same day or within a few business days, depending on volume.
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mail. Complex searches or requests for older records may take longer.
Payment methods accepted at the Berrien County Clerk's Office may include cash, check, or money order. Contact the office to confirm accepted forms of payment before mailing a request.