Detroit DUI Records

Detroit DUI records are split between two court systems: the 36th District Court handles first and second offense OWI cases as misdemeanors, while the Third Judicial Circuit Court processes felony drunk driving charges. Michigan uses the term OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) under MCL 257.625, so Detroit court records use that language rather than DUI. Both courts maintain public records, and several free and low-cost tools let you search Detroit OWI cases online without visiting the courthouse in person.

36th District Court: First and Second OWI Cases

The 36th District Court is the primary court for Detroit DUI cases charged as misdemeanors. It is the largest single district court in Michigan, located at 421 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. The main phone line is (313) 965-2200. There is also a dedicated records line at (313) 965-4153. The court's website is at www.36thdistrictcourtmi.gov.

First and second offense OWI charges in Detroit go through this court. That includes standard OWI at a BAC of 0.08% or more, High BAC charges at 0.17% or more (sometimes called "Super Drunk"), and Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI). The court also handles Sobriety Court cases, a program available to eligible first-time offenders that substitutes intensive supervision for standard sentencing. Sobriety Court participation appears in court records and may affect how a case shows up in public databases.

For online case lookups, start with MiCOURT. The system is free and searches all Michigan courts, including the 36th District. Misdemeanor OWI cases appear under case type code SD (Statute Drunk Driving) or OD (Ordinance Drunk Driving). You can search by name, case number, or date range. MiCOURT shows case status, charge descriptions, and hearing information, but does not provide access to documents.

Detroit Police Department Records and FOIA

Detroit DUI arrest records are held by the Detroit Police Department (DPD). The main non-emergency line is (313) 596-2200, and DPD is headquartered at 7310 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202. Arrest records, incident reports, and chemical test data from a drunk driving arrest are separate from court records. They come from the police, not the court, and must be requested through the Freedom of Information Act.

Michigan's FOIA statute, MCL 15.231, governs public records access. Under that law, agencies must respond to a request within five business days. They can deny a request for certain reasons, including active investigations or personal privacy, but they must explain any denial in writing. DUI-related arrest reports from DPD are generally public once the case is closed.

DPD processes FOIA requests for police records through its FOIA unit. You can submit requests by email at DPDFOIA@detroitmi.gov. The City of Detroit also has a general FOIA email at FOIA@detroitmi.gov, which handles non-police city records. The City Law Department is located at 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 500, Detroit, MI 48226. Copying fees are $0.10 per page. You do not need to be the subject of a record to request it, and there is no residency requirement for FOIA requests in Michigan.

An arrest report shows what the officer observed at the time of the stop: field sobriety test results, BAC readings, the charges filed, and booking information. It does not show what happened in court. For how a case ended, use MiCOURT or ICHAT.

Statewide Search Tools for Detroit OWI Cases

Three main tools cover Detroit DUI records at the state level. Each works differently, and knowing which one to use saves time.

MiCOURT is the free statewide court case search. It covers the 36th District Court and the Third Judicial Circuit, so you can search for both misdemeanor and felony Detroit OWI cases from one place. You get case status, charge type, and hearing dates. There is no fee. Documents are not available online through MiCOURT, but the system tells you whether a case exists and how it was resolved.

ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) costs $10 per search and returns a full Michigan criminal history record maintained by the Michigan State Police. For Detroit DUI records that span multiple years or multiple offenses, ICHAT is the most reliable source. It shows conviction dates, offense descriptions, and case dispositions across all 83 Michigan counties. Because Michigan eliminated the 10-year lookback for prior OWI offenses in 2007, a person's full history matters when determining whether a new charge will be a misdemeanor or a felony. ICHAT gives you that full picture.

The OTIS system from the Michigan Department of Corrections covers people currently or previously under state supervision. If a Detroit OWI case resulted in a prison sentence, it will appear in OTIS. Third-offense felony OWI cases handled by the Third Circuit that led to incarceration are the ones most likely to show up there.

Third Judicial Circuit Court: Felony OWI in Detroit

The Third Judicial Circuit Court handles felony OWI cases in Wayne County, including Detroit. It is located at 2 Woodward Avenue (Coleman A. Young Municipal Center), Detroit, MI 48226. The main number is (313) 224-5256. The court's website is at www.3rdcc.org, and it operates an Odyssey Public Access (OPA) portal for case lookups at the OPA search page. For more information about Wayne County's court structure and how felony DUI cases move through the system, see the Wayne County DUI Records page.

Third offense OWI in Michigan is always a felony. Michigan removed the 10-year lookback period in 2007, so two prior OWI convictions at any point in a person's life trigger felony status on the next offense. Detroit felony OWI cases also include OWI causing serious impairment of a body function and OWI causing death, both of which carry significantly harsher penalties than standard misdemeanor OWI. The Odyssey system shows basic case information, but actual documents require an in-person visit to the courthouse.

Michigan OWI Law: What Detroit Records Reflect

Detroit OWI cases are filed under MCL 257.625, Michigan's main drunk driving statute. The law sets three BAC thresholds that matter for how charges are filed. The standard OWI charge applies at 0.08% BAC or more. High BAC (sometimes called Super Drunk) applies at 0.17% or more and carries mandatory minimums that are stiffer than standard OWI. For drivers under 21, the threshold is just 0.02% BAC under Michigan's zero tolerance law.

License consequences are separate from criminal penalties. An OWI conviction in Detroit triggers action by the Michigan Secretary of State, which can include suspension, revocation, or restricted license with an ignition interlock requirement. Michigan's implied consent law under MCL 257.625c requires drivers to submit to chemical testing after a lawful arrest. Refusing that test results in a one-year license suspension for a first refusal, and two years for a second within seven years. Implied consent refusal records show up on the driving record and may also appear in court documents.

OWI convictions in Michigan are permanent. They do not come off the criminal record or the driving record through normal expungement. However, Michigan's Clean Slate law does allow expungement of a first-time OWI conviction after five years under certain conditions. That is the only path available, and it applies narrowly.

Detroit's Sobriety Court offers an alternative for some first-time offenders. Completion of the program may affect how the conviction is reflected in records and what happens to the defendant's license. If you are searching Detroit DUI records and see a Sobriety Court notation, that indicates the person participated in this diversion-style program through the 36th District Court.

Driving Records and OWI History in Detroit

Court records and driving records are not the same thing. A Detroit DUI case in MiCOURT or ICHAT is a criminal record. The driving record is held separately by the Michigan Secretary of State. An OWI conviction feeds into both, but you request them from different places.

To access a driving record, use the SOS Driving Records portal. The driving record shows license suspensions, revocations, points, implied consent actions, and ignition interlock requirements. It does not include arrest records or criminal history details, only actions taken against the license. For OWI-related license issues in Detroit, the driving record is often more relevant than the court record when dealing with insurance or license reinstatement questions.

The Michigan State Police Criminal History Records division is the authoritative source for criminal history. ICHAT pulls from this database. If you need an official certified criminal history for a Detroit OWI case, contact MSP directly. Law enforcement agencies, courts, and some employers use the MSP database for background purposes.

Nearby Cities in Wayne County

These cities in Wayne County also have local court and records information for DUI cases.