Warren DUI Records
Warren DUI records are handled through the 37th District Court, which covers all first and second OWI offenses filed in the city. Warren is the largest city in Macomb County with about 135,000 residents, and the court processes a high volume of OWI cases each year. Most people searching for DUI records in Warren are looking for case status, arrest history, or documentation related to a specific charge. This page walks you through each source you can use to find those records, whether online or in person.
Warren Overview
37th District Court - Warren OWI Cases
The 37th District Court handles all first and second offense OWI cases filed in Warren. A first offense OWI is a misdemeanor. So is a second offense. The court has two locations in Warren. Many cases are heard at the Civic Center location. The court runs a Hybrid DWI/Drug Court program for eligible defendants who want treatment as part of their case.
You can search 37th District Court cases online through the court's case search tool. Cases filed after January 1, 2022 are available through the portal at 37thdistrictcourt.org. For older cases, you need to contact the court directly or search through MiCOURT. The case search shows party names, charges, hearing dates, and case status.
| Court | 37th District Court |
|---|---|
| Primary Address | 8301 Common Road Warren, MI 48093 |
| Second Location | 14140 Stephens Drive Warren, MI 48093 |
| Phone | 586-574-4787 / 586-574-4900 |
| Website | 37thdistrictcourt.org |
| Online Case Search | MiCOURT Case Search (free) |
| Judges | John Chmura, Matthew Sabaugh, David Law |
| DWI/Drug Court | Hybrid DWI/Drug Court available |
MiCOURT is the statewide case search system run by the Michigan courts. It covers district courts across all 83 counties. Search by name or case number. The system is free and shows open and closed cases. Go to micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search to search. You can narrow results by court name to find only 37th District Court cases.
Warren Police Department - FOIA Records
The Warren Police Department handles records requests under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Most DUI arrests in Warren are made by Warren Police. The department can provide arrest reports, incident reports, and booking records. These are separate from court records. You need both if you want a full picture of a DUI case.
Warren Police uses a dedicated FOIA portal for records requests. You can submit online at cityofwarrenmipolice.nextrequest.com. Or you can email the request to recordsrequest@warrenpd.org. Government agencies making requests should use an ORI number when contacting the department. Under MCL 15.231, FOIA requests must be responded to within 5 business days.
| Department | Warren Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 29900 Civic Center Blvd Warren, MI 48093 |
| Non-Emergency | 586-574-4700 |
| Records Division | 586-574-4760 |
| FOIA Email | recordsrequest@warrenpd.org |
| FOIA Portal | cityofwarrenmipolice.nextrequest.com |
| Response Time | 5 business days (MCL 15.231) |
Records you can request include DUI arrest reports, crash reports, booking photos, and dispatch logs. Not every document is releasable. Some parts may be redacted under FOIA exemptions. If your request involves an active case or pending prosecution, certain records may be withheld. Ask the Records Division at 586-574-4760 if you have questions about what is available before you file a request.
Statewide Search Tools for Michigan DUI Records
Michigan provides three main public tools for checking DUI and criminal history records. Each serves a different purpose. ICHAT gives the most complete criminal background check. MiCOURT shows court case status. OTIS covers those currently in state corrections. Use all three if you want a thorough search.
| Tool | What It Shows | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ICHAT | Statewide criminal history, all 83 counties, OWI convictions | $10 per search |
| MiCOURT | Court case search, open and dismissed cases, hearing dates | Free |
| OTIS | Offender tracking, current and past state prison records | Free |
ICHAT stands for Internet Criminal History Access Tool. It is run by the Michigan State Police. A search costs $10 and covers criminal records from all 83 counties. OWI convictions show up here. The results include conviction dates, offense codes, and court of record. Go to apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT to run a search. You pay by credit or debit card. Results come back quickly, often in minutes.
MiCOURT is free. It covers district, circuit, and probate courts across the state. You can search by name and filter by court or county. The system shows case numbers, charges, and current status. It includes both open and closed cases. Note that not every older case appears in MiCOURT. For records before the court started electronic filing, you may need to contact the court directly.
Macomb County Courts - Felony OWI Cases
Third offense OWI in Michigan is a felony. Those cases leave the district court and go to the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. The circuit court handles all felony OWI charges filed in Macomb County, including cases originating in Warren. Felony OWI carries much more serious penalties, including possible prison time. If you are looking up a third-offense charge, start at the circuit court.
The 16th Circuit Court is located in Mount Clemens at the Macomb County courthouse. You can search felony OWI cases through the Macomb County CourtView system, though note that CourtView requires Internet Explorer to function properly. For the best results, use a compatible browser or contact the clerk's office directly for case information. More details on the circuit court system and Macomb County resources are on the county page.
| Court | 16th Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 40 N. Main Street Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Phone | 586-469-7400 |
| Website | macombcountymi.gov/circuit-court |
| Jurisdiction | Felony OWI (3rd offense and above) |
For a full overview of Macomb County courts, search tools, and records access, visit the Macomb County DUI Records page. That page covers both the 16th Circuit Court and all district courts that serve the county.
Michigan OWI Law and What It Means for Records
Michigan's main drunk driving law is MCL 257.625. The state uses the term OWI, which stands for Operating While Intoxicated. You may also see OUIL or UBAL in older records. All refer to impaired driving offenses. The legal BAC limit is 0.08%. The Super Drunk law applies at 0.17% or higher. Drivers under 21 face charges with a BAC as low as 0.02%.
Michigan removed the 10-year lookback rule in 2007. Before that, courts only counted prior OWI convictions within the last 10 years when deciding whether a new charge was a first, second, or third offense. Now there is no time limit. A conviction from 20 years ago still counts as a prior offense. This matters a lot for how records are searched and how charges are classified.
Implied consent under MCL 257.625c means any driver on Michigan roads is considered to have agreed to chemical testing if arrested for OWI. Refusing a test triggers an automatic license suspension. That refusal becomes part of the arrest record and can be used in court.
OWI records are permanent in Michigan. They do not fall off after a set number of years. One limited exception exists under the Clean Slate law: a first-time OWI offender may apply for expungement after 5 years if they meet all the eligibility rules. The record is sealed from public view but stays visible to law enforcement. Most people searching for OWI records will still see it in ICHAT unless expungement has been granted.
License sanctions for OWI in Warren follow the same statewide rules. A first offense brings a 30-day suspension followed by 150 days of restricted driving. A second offense means a one-year revocation. Super Drunk offenders face 45 days suspended and 320 days restricted. Each step up in offense level means longer revocation and harder requirements to get the license back.
Driving Records vs. Court Records
Court records and driving records are not the same thing. Both can show an OWI, but they come from different agencies and contain different information. Knowing which one you need will save time.
Court records come from the district or circuit court where the case was filed. They show charges, hearing dates, plea or verdict, and sentencing. You get these through MiCOURT, the court clerk, or ICHAT. They reflect the criminal case outcome. The driving record comes from the Michigan Secretary of State. It shows license status, points, suspensions, and violations including OWI convictions. You can order a driving record through the SOS at michigan.gov/sos. The fee is small. Employers, insurers, and attorneys often need both types of records.
If you need a certified copy of an OWI court record from the 37th District Court, contact the court clerk directly. Certification adds a small fee. Plain copies cost less. Call 586-574-4787 to ask about the current copy fees and what form of ID you need to bring or include with a mail request.
Nearby Cities in Macomb County
Other qualifying cities in Macomb County also use the 16th Circuit Court for felony OWI cases. Their district courts and police departments handle records separately. Visit the pages below to find DUI records in nearby communities.