Bay County OWI and DUI Records
Bay County DUI records are held by the 18th Circuit Court and the 74th District Court, both at 1230 Washington Avenue in Bay City. First and second offense OWI cases go to the District Court. Third offense and felony OWI cases go to the Circuit Court. You can search these records free through MiCOURT or pay $10 for statewide criminal history through ICHAT. This page covers each method and what Michigan's OWI laws mean for what you find.
Bay County Overview
Bay County Court System and OWI Cases
Bay County splits OWI cases between two courts at the same address. The 74th District Court handles first and second offense OWI misdemeanors. The 18th Circuit Court takes felony OWI cases. Both are at 1230 Washington Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708. The Circuit Court line is (989) 895-4260. The District Court is at (989) 895-4280.
The 74th District Court processes the bulk of Bay County OWI cases. Bay City is the county seat and largest city. The District Court record covers arraignment, bond, pretrial conferences, motions, and the final case outcome. Whether the case ends in a plea, trial, or dismissal, the record stays in MiCOURT. Under MCL 257.625, a first offense OWI misdemeanor carries up to 93 days in jail. A second offense within 7 years carries up to a year.
The 18th Circuit Court handles felony OWI cases for the entire county. Third offense OWI is a felony in Michigan, and there is no lookback limit since 2007. Every prior conviction counts. OWI causing death is a felony with up to 15 years in prison. OWI causing serious injury carries up to 5 years. The Circuit Court file includes all stages: arraignment, preliminary examination, pretrial hearings, trial or plea, and sentencing. These records are public and searchable through MiCOURT.
| 18th Circuit Court | 1230 Washington Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708 | (989) 895-4260 |
|---|---|
| 74th District Court | 1230 Washington Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708 | (989) 895-4280 |
| Felony OWI | 18th Circuit Court |
| Misdemeanor OWI | 74th District Court |
Searching Bay County DUI Records
The free statewide search tool is MiCOURT. It covers both Bay County courts and allows name or case number searches. Case codes for OWI records include SD (Statute Drunk Driving), OD (Ordinance Drunk Driving), and FD (Felony Drunk Driving). Results include charges, scheduled dates, and case status. MiCOURT is updated as cases progress, so it shows current pending cases as well as closed ones.
ICHAT is the Michigan State Police criminal background tool at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT. It costs $10 and shows statewide conviction history. ICHAT does not show pending cases or dismissed charges. Its value is in showing out-of-county or out-of-district convictions that might not surface in a single court's records. If someone was convicted of OWI in Saginaw County years ago and is now charged in Bay County, ICHAT will show both. That context matters for offense level classification.
For arrest records before a case enters the court system, contact the Bay County Sheriff's Office or the relevant city police department. Submit a FOIA request under MCL 15.231. Agencies must respond within 5 business days. The Bay City Police Department handles arrests within city limits. The Bay County Sheriff handles unincorporated county areas. The Michigan State Police FOIA process is at michigan.gov/msp.
In-person access is available at 1230 Washington Avenue during business hours. Court clerks can assist with specific searches and copy requests. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call ahead to confirm current fees and what is needed for the request.
The statewide search tools shown above, including MiCOURT and ICHAT, are the primary means of accessing Bay County DUI records remotely.
OWI Law and Bay County DUI Record Types
Michigan law calls it OWI, not DUI. The governing statute is MCL 257.625. Standard OWI applies at 0.08% BAC. At 0.17%, the Super Drunk law triggers higher penalties and a mandatory ignition interlock requirement after conviction. Drivers under 21 face a Zero Tolerance limit of 0.02%. Commercial vehicle drivers have a 0.04% limit. These all appear as different charge types in Bay County DUI records.
Two other charge types appear frequently in Bay County court records. OWVI is Operating While Visibly Impaired. No specific BAC is required. It is sometimes offered as a plea reduction from standard OWI. OWPD is Operating With Presence of Drugs. Any Schedule 1 substance triggers this charge. No impairment needs to be proven, only presence. Both charges show in MiCOURT records alongside OWI. Knowing the difference helps when reading case results.
Implied consent means refusing a breath or blood test results in license suspension. First refusal brings a 1-year suspension. Second refusal within 7 years brings 2 years. This is a civil penalty through the Secretary of State, separate from any criminal case. It shows on the driving record, not the criminal record. Check driving records through the SOS driving records page. Criminal records are through ICHAT and MSP.
Note: Michigan removed the 10-year OWI lookback rule in 2007. All prior OWI convictions count forever when determining whether a current charge is a first, second, or third offense.
Driving Records and License Consequences in Bay County
An OWI conviction in Bay County affects two records: the Michigan criminal history and the driving record. They are maintained by separate agencies and need separate requests. Michigan State Police criminal history covers the conviction record. The Secretary of State holds the driving record. You cannot get both from the same place.
License penalties for OWI scale with offense number. A first OWI brings a 30-day hard suspension followed by 150 days of restricted driving. A second OWI within 7 years means a 1-year revocation. A third OWI leads to revocation with a 5-year mandatory wait before any reinstatement hearing. Getting driving privileges back after revocation requires the Road to Restoration program, which involves formal hearings and proof of sustained sobriety.
Driver Responsibility Fees total $2,000 assessed as $1,000 per year for two years after an OWI conviction. These fees go to the state and are separate from court-ordered fines and costs. Unpaid fees result in license suspension. The MSP impaired driving page has statewide enforcement data and explains how these consequences apply across Michigan counties including Bay.
Felony OWI at the 18th Circuit Court
Bay County felony OWI cases run through the 18th Circuit Court at 1230 Washington Avenue. The circuit court record is comprehensive. It covers the charging information, any preliminary examination, pretrial motions, and then the trial or plea and sentencing. These records are public. Call (989) 895-4260 to ask about access, copy fees, and what years are available through the online system versus in person.
If a Bay County OWI defendant is sentenced to prison, they may appear in OTIS at michigan.gov/corrections. OTIS shows people currently incarcerated or on parole with the Michigan Department of Corrections. Once their sentence is complete and supervision ends, they leave OTIS. The conviction stays in ICHAT and the circuit court record permanently.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of MCL 257.625. Reading the statute helps you understand what a specific charge notation in a Bay County court record actually means in terms of offense tier, prior conviction count, and penalty range. This is especially useful for felony cases where the distinction between offense levels changes the penalty substantially.
Nearby Counties
Bay County is in the Saginaw Bay area of central Michigan. OWI cases near county lines may involve courts in these neighboring counties.