What are Michigan Traffic Court Records?

Michigan traffic court records are documents containing information regarding the judicial processes of the state's traffic courts. These records typically include road traffic offenses, consequent citations, court actions, motions, trial transcripts, and judgments delivered during a traffic case hearing.

In Michigan, traffic violations and infractions are handled by the district court of the jurisdiction where the offense occurred. As such, it is the responsibility of the district courts to manage and disseminate documented proceedings of traffic court hearings and related information. As per Michigan state laws, these records may be available to interested persons upon request. However, the information accessible by a requester will depend on the nature of the case and the authority of the requesting party.

Michigan Traffic Violations

Under Michigan road traffic laws, traffic violations are all crimes and offenses that road users commit, including vehicle operators and pedestrians. Traffic violations are classified based on the nature of the violation or the severity of the damage caused. Traffic violations are further classified as moving or non-moving violations based on the nature of the violation. However, a traffic violation may be considered an infraction or a misdemeanor based on severity. In summary, most traffic violation designations are based on where and how the violation occurred and its severity.

Infractions and Misdemeanors

Traffic infractions are civil violations of minimum severity. They are considered non-criminal omissions and may include offenses relating to various seat belt violations, traffic sign violations, speeding, failing to signal or stop, and operating a vehicle without the needed light signals. These often do not pose immediate and/or severe danger to other road users.

On the other hand, a misdemeanor or felony traffic violation is considered a criminal traffic offense, often resulting in severe damage to lives and/or property. These include DUIs and DWIs as well as vehicular homicide.

Most state jurisdictions operate distinct classification methods in determining whether a traffic violation is an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony. As such, 'infraction' and 'misdemeanor' may be used interchangeably to describe similar offenses—in this case, the designation to which a violation is ascribed depends on the driver's history and whether or not significant damage was caused due to the offense.

Additionally, traffic infractions may be considered strict liability violations, thus making the motorist liable for their offense, regardless of their knowledge of traffic laws or intention. Essentially, motorists who are unaware of their violation at the time of its occurrence are punishable by law, provided their offense can be established or sufficiently proven.

Moving and Non-moving Traffic Violations.

Most road-traffic offenses, including infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies, are classified as moving or non-moving offenses.

Infractions are often known to be non-moving violations. These offenses typically involve immobile vehicles and constitute the least threat to other road users. They include violations such as parking offenses, operating a vehicle without the required paperwork, and operating vehicles lacking necessary components—such as brake or turn signal lights, fire extinguishers, or spare tires.

Moving violations, conversely, often constitute the most severe road-traffic offenses and are usually misdemeanors or felonies. They are the criminal offenses of drivers and other vehicle operators while in motion and include violations such as driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated, operating a vehicle without the required license, reckless driving, and, in extreme cases, Felony Overspeeding in Michigan, which may occur when excessive speed results in serious bodily injury or death. These offenses often escalate to criminal matters that can lead to lengthy imprisonment or long-term license revocation.

The nature of the offense often distinguishes moving and non-moving traffic violations. Moving violations are sometimes punishable by imprisonment, while non-moving violations often result in traffic tickets or various amounts and point implications.

Michigan Traffic Ticket Lookup

Traffic tickets issued in Michigan can be located through the Michigan Secretary of State's online services or by contacting the local court where the citation was filed. The ticket usually contains the citation number, details of the alleged violation, the issuing law enforcement agency, and the court handling the matter. For unresolved tickets, the district court where the violation occurred serves as the primary point of inquiry.

Getting a Traffic Ticket in Michigan

Following a traffic violation in Michigan, offenders are typically issued traffic tickets, also known as citations. These tickets serve as legal notices of the violation and are generated to provide information regarding the offense, its severity, and consequent implications, which are often point-based and may require the offender to pay a traffic ticket.

Upon receiving a ticket, offenders will be notified of their crime, its penalty, and their options for responding to the ticket. In some cases, the ticket will also serve as a summons, requiring the offender to appear in court following their violation. In other cases, offenders will simply be informed of notable changes in their driving record following their offense. In this case, the recipient may opt to negotiate the ticket's penalties or contest the ticket by appearing in court. In any case, all tickets will receive their required responses within 10 days of issuance.

Responding to a Michigan Traffic Ticket/Citation

There are two primary ways to respond to traffic tickets or citations:

• Admit guilt and agree to any associated sanctions, including the payment of fines or license suspension
• Request a mitigation or contested hearing to renegotiate a ticket or plead not guilty

Given the implications of having multiple violations on a driving record, traffic violators may opt to renegotiate traffic tickets or plead not guilty to the alleged offense. However, this is considered a more complicated alternative to paying the ticket, which is often the preferred option for most traffic offenders.

How do I pay for a traffic ticket in Michigan?

Paying Michigan traffic tickets may be considered an inadvertent admission of guilt, which might have various implications depending on the alleged offense. However, payments may be made through various channels, including online, in person, or via mail.

To make in-person or mail payments, offenders are advised to refer to the citation received for information regarding the district court where payments may be made. The court clerk's office will respond to queries about the best method for traffic ticket payments in that jurisdiction.

Alternatively, traffic tickets can be paid using the online tool of Michigan's One Court of Justice ePay. This will require the offender to search for their ticket by county, court, last name, ticket case number, or driver's full name/birthdate, license, or license plate number. Upon finding the ticket, payments may be made using a credit or debit card on the payment tool. However, only a few selected district courts currently participate in this arrangement. Offenders whose courts are not indicated will be required to pay their tickets in person or via mail.

How do I Request a Mitigation or Contested Hearing?

Mitigation hearings allow offenders who have not admitted their guilt to renegotiate the terms of their traffic ticket. If successful, mitigation may offer the offender a fine reduction, a community service alternative to paying the fine, or an installment payment plan to ease the payment process. However, unlike contested hearings, the judge's decision in this case is final and cannot be appealed.

To request a mitigated hearing, the offender must contact the office of the court clerk of the district court indicated on the citation issued. This should be done no more than 15 days after receiving the citation and before the ticket's due date. The requirements for these hearings generally vary depending on the jurisdiction.

Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Michigan

Where the offender is convinced of their innocence, they may plead not guilty by requesting a contested hearing at the appropriate district court. To do so, the offender must indicate their plea on the assigned citation/ticket, which should then be sent to the courthouse listed on the citation.

In order to proceed with a contested hearing, the alleged offender may be required to (depending on the jurisdiction) make a pre-trial payment to the court, which should cover the cost of the ticket and other charges.

What to Expect in Michigan Traffic Court

If the offender is found guilty of the offense being contested, they may be required to pay additional fees and any penalties deemed fair by the court. However, offenders who are acquitted will be refunded their initial payment, and any other penalties will be redacted as well.

Where to Find Michigan Traffic Court Records

Generally, traffic court records are managed by the court clerk's office in the courthouse where the case was originally filed/heard. As such, the various district courts maintain Michigan traffic court records where traffic cases are heard. Most courts provide traffic court information to interested persons upon request and provide online channels through which traffic court records may be accessed remotely.

To request traffic court records in person or via mail, the requester must contact the appropriate district court with information regarding the case of interest. This criterion may include the case number of the record, the place and date the citation ticket was issued, details regarding the attorney, final judgment, and related information. Most record requests require that the requester provide adequate identification and make any required payment to cover search/copy expenses.

As an alternative to making in-person or mail requests to the district court, requestors may opt to access traffic court records online using Michigan's One Court of Justice's case search tool. The requesting party will be required to furnish the case docket number of the record of interest.

Publicly available records are accessible from some third-party websites. These websites offer the benefit of not being limited by geographical record availability and can often serve as a starting point when researching specific or multiple records. To find a record using the search engines on these sites, interested parties must provide:

• The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile
• The assumed location of the record in question, such as a city, county, or state name

Third-party sites are not government-sponsored websites; record availability may differ from official channels.

How Do I Look Up My Michigan Driving Record?

Requests for Michigan state driving records are processed by the office of the Michigan Secretary of State, which is tasked with managing and disseminating the driving records of all persons who hold a Michigan state driver's license. Driving records generally feature information regarding the subject's lifetime driving history, including traffic violations and citation history.

To request a Michigan driving record, interested persons may download and complete the Michigan State Record Lookup Request form. Applications must legibly indicate the driver's personal information as well as their Michigan driver's license number. The completed form should be enclosed along with the indicated fees and submitted in person or via mail to:

Michigan Department of State
Record Sales Unit
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing, MI 48918–1502

Other queries pertaining to this process or instructions included on the application may be made to (517) 335–6198 during official working hours.

Walk-in requests may also be made at the State Secondary Complex, Secretary of State Building, 7064 Crowner Drive, Dimondale. To obtain their driving record, requestors must present their driver's license and pay a fee of $12.

Obtaining Another Person's Driving Record

Access to another person's driving history is restricted under the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and Michigan law. Records may only be released if the requester demonstrates a permissible legal purpose, such as use in litigation, law enforcement activities, insurance underwriting, or employment involving commercial driving. The BDVR-154 form must be used to specify the statutory purpose. A false declaration or misuse of information may result in civil fines and criminal penalties. Fees remain the same as for personal record requests: $15 for a standard lookup and $16 for a certified copy. Payment must accompany the form when submitted by mail or in person.

Free DMV Driving Records in Michigan

Driving records maintained by the Secretary of State are not free. Each request requires payment of the applicable fee, whether made online, by mail, or in person. The only form of "free" access applies to court case records, which may include information about traffic citations or convictions and are sometimes available through local district court portals. However, official driving histories compiled by the state always involve a fee and are not released without proper authorization.

How to Recover Lost Traffic Tickets in Michigan

Copies of traffic tickets issued by law enforcement agents are often maintained by the district courts of the jurisdiction, especially for record purposes. Interested members of the public may find tickets that have been misplaced by contacting the district court in the jurisdiction where the ticket was issued, or by using the One Court of Justice Online tool ePay.

To access lost traffic tickets using ePAY, requestors must provide information regarding the ticket, such as the traffic citation number and the driver's personal information. Similarly, to obtain lost traffic tickets from the district court that processed the citation, the requesting party may contact the courthouse with details regarding the ticket, such as the citation number, the violation, and the place and date where the ticket was issued.

Michigan's Driving Record Point System

The state of Michigan operates a driver's license point system that assigns motorists driving record points with each traffic violation. The points added to a record depend primarily on the severity of the damage caused by the violation, as established by the Michigan Vehicle Code.

Points placed on a driver's record remain for two years from the day of the citation or conviction unless a court sets aside the offense following a contested hearing.

If a driver receives up to four points on their record in under two years, they become eligible to receive a warning letter from the office of the Secretary of State. If up to 12 points are accumulated within the 2 years, the driver will be required to retake a driving exam to review the driver's driving record, traffic knowledge, and eye health. Following the re-examination, the driver may proceed without additional penalties or have their license revoked or suspended for extended periods.

How to Prepare for Traffic Court

Before showing up in traffic court, review the citation you received, noting the specific violation, date, time, and location of the incident. Gather evidence supporting your defense, such as photographs, videos, or witness statements. Consider seeking legal representation, as traffic attorneys are best suited for providing counsel and support following an indictment.