Branch County OWI Records
Branch County DUI records come from the 15th Circuit Court and the Branch County District Court in Coldwater. Misdemeanor OWI charges go to the District Court. Felony OWI charges go to the Circuit Court. The 15th Circuit also runs a Drug Court and Sobriety Court for eligible repeat offenders. MiCOURT lets you search both courts at no cost. ICHAT gives statewide conviction history for $10 per search. This page explains each source, what it shows, and how to use it to find Branch County OWI records.
Branch County Overview
15th Circuit Court: Felony OWI and Specialty Courts
The 15th Circuit Court is at 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036. Phone is (517) 279-4300. The county website is countyofbranch.com. This court handles felony OWI charges for Branch County. It also operates the 15th Circuit Drug Court and Sobriety Court for qualifying repeat OWI offenders.
Third-offense OWI is always a felony in Michigan. Michigan ended the 10-year lookback rule in 2007. Every prior OWI conviction counts when figuring out the offense number, no matter when it happened. That means a person with two older OWI convictions faces a felony charge on their next one. OWI causing death carries a maximum of 15 years in prison. OWI causing serious injury is up to 5 years. These cases land at the 15th Circuit Court in Coldwater.
The Drug Court and Sobriety Court programs at the 15th Circuit offer an alternative path for defendants whose OWI is tied to substance use. These programs involve treatment, testing, and court supervision over an extended period. Completion may result in a different outcome than standard sentencing. Participation does not erase the court record. Cases in these programs still show in MiCOURT as public records with the underlying charges visible throughout. Contact the circuit court at (517) 279-4300 to ask about current program eligibility.
| 15th Circuit Court | 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Phone | (517) 279-4300 |
| Website | countyofbranch.com |
| Handles | Felony OWI (3rd offense+); OWI causing death or serious injury; Drug Court and Sobriety Court |
Branch County District Court: Misdemeanor OWI Cases
The Branch County District Court is at the Courthouse Annex, 23 E. Pearl Street, Coldwater, MI 49036. Phone is (517) 279-4311. This court handles first and second offense OWI, which are misdemeanors under MCL 257.625. Most Branch County OWI cases go through this court.
First-offense OWI carries up to 93 days in jail and a fine up to $500. Second offense within 7 years can mean up to a year in jail and higher fines. The District Court handles arraignment, bond conditions, pretrial hearings, and either trial or plea and sentencing. All of this is public record and searchable through MiCOURT. Dismissed charges and reduced pleas show up too, which matters when reading older case results.
In-person access to court records is available at the courthouse annex during business hours. The clerk can confirm what records are available, copy fees, and whether certified copies can be mailed or must be picked up. Call ahead at (517) 279-4311 before making a trip. Most case activity is also visible through MiCOURT, which is faster for initial searches.
Michigan removed the 10-year OWI lookback in 2007. Every prior OWI conviction, no matter how old, counts when charging a new offense in Branch County.
Statewide Search Tools for Branch County DUI Records
MiCOURT, ICHAT, and OTIS are the three main databases for searching Branch County OWI records from outside the courthouse. Each one covers a different layer of the public record.
MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is free. It covers both the Branch County District Court and the 15th Circuit Court. Search by name or case number. OWI case codes in the results: SD for Statute Drunk Driving, OD for Ordinance Drunk Driving, FD for Felony Drunk Driving. Results include charges, scheduled dates, and case status for open and closed cases alike.
ICHAT at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT covers statewide criminal conviction history for $10 per search. It is operated by the Michigan State Police. Useful for checking if someone has prior OWI convictions from other Michigan counties that would elevate a current Branch County charge to a higher offense level. A prior OWI from Calhoun County counts the same as one from Branch County when determining the offense tier. ICHAT does not show pending cases or arrests without a conviction.
| MiCOURT | micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search | Free | Court activity statewide |
|---|---|
| ICHAT | apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT | $10 per search | Conviction history statewide |
| OTIS | michigan.gov/corrections/offender-search | Free | Current and past felony offenders |
The OTIS offender search shows anyone currently in MDOC custody or on parole. This applies to Branch County felony OWI defendants who received prison sentences. After supervision ends, OTIS no longer shows them, but the court record and ICHAT data stay permanently. Driving records are separate and go through the Secretary of State driving records page.
Branch County Sheriff and FOIA Requests
The Branch County Sheriff's Office is at 379 Keith Wilhelm Drive, Coldwater, MI 49036. Phone is (517) 278-2325. The sheriff handles OWI arrests in unincorporated county areas and on county roads. Within Coldwater city limits, the Coldwater Police Department handles arrests. Each agency is the FOIA contact for its own arrest records.
FOIA requests for arrest records, incident reports, and BAC test results go to the arresting agency, not the court. Submit written FOIA requests to the Branch County Sheriff at (517) 278-2325 or at 379 Keith Wilhelm Drive, Coldwater, MI 49036. Michigan FOIA under MCL 15.231 requires a response within 5 business days. Copy fees are typically $0.10 to $1.00 per page. For MSP arrests, use the FOIA process at michigan.gov/msp.
Court records and arrest records cover different things. Court records in MiCOURT show what happened after the arrest: charges filed, hearings, and outcomes. Arrest records from the sheriff show the underlying incident details. For a full picture of a Branch County OWI case, you may need both. Start with MiCOURT to see if a case was filed, then submit a FOIA to the sheriff for the pre-filing documents if needed.
Michigan OWI Law and What Shows in Branch County Records
Michigan uses OWI as its impaired driving charge, not DUI. The statute is MCL 257.625. Standard OWI applies at 0.08% BAC or above. The Super Drunk provision at 0.17% doubles the maximum jail time and requires ignition interlock after conviction. Drivers under 21 face zero tolerance at 0.02%. Commercial drivers have a 0.04% limit. Each level is a distinct charge type in the court record.
OWVI, Operating While Visibly Impaired, is a related charge under MCL 257.625(3). No specific BAC is needed. Visible impairment is enough. It often appears as a plea reduction from standard OWI. OWPD, Operating With Presence of Drugs, applies under MCL 257.625(8) to Schedule 1 controlled substances. Presence of the drug is enough; no proof of impairment is required. Both OWVI and OWPD appear in Branch County court records alongside standard OWI charges.
Michigan's implied consent law is at MCL 257.625c. Driving in Michigan is treated as consent to a chemical test when an officer reasonably suspects OWI. Refusing a breath or blood test brings a 1-year license suspension for a first refusal and 2 years for a second refusal within 7 years. This is a civil penalty recorded by the Secretary of State on the driving record. It is separate from any criminal case and shows up on the driving record, not in court records.
Michigan OWI convictions are permanent on the criminal record. First-time OWI may be expunged under the Clean Slate law after 5 years from sentencing. Repeat OWI convictions are not eligible for expungement.
Driving Records and License Consequences in Branch County
An OWI conviction in Branch County affects two separate records. Criminal history is held by the Michigan State Police. Driving record is held by the Secretary of State. Both records must be requested separately from the relevant agency.
License penalties increase with each offense. A first OWI brings a 30-day hard suspension followed by 150 days of restricted driving. Second OWI within 7 years means a 1-year revocation. Third OWI triggers revocation with a minimum 5-year wait before any reinstatement hearing. Getting a license back after revocation requires the Road to Restoration program. That means formal hearings and documented evidence of sobriety over time.
Driver Responsibility Fees for pre-2019 convictions total $2,000 paid over two years ($1,000 per year). These go to the state treasury and are separate from court-ordered fines and costs. Failure to pay triggers further license suspension. The Michigan State Police criminal history page explains how conviction records are maintained. Request a driving record through the SOS driving records page.
Nearby Counties
Branch County is in south-central Michigan along the Indiana state line. OWI cases near county borders may involve courts in these neighboring counties.