Chippewa County DUI Records Search

Chippewa County DUI records are processed through two courts in Sault Ste. Marie: the 50th Circuit Court and the 91st District Court. Both courts handle Operating While Intoxicated cases under Michigan's OWI statutes. The district court takes first and second offense misdemeanor OWI charges. Felony cases, including a third OWI offense or an OWI causing serious injury or death, go to the circuit court. Records from both courts are public and searchable online through the MiCOURT portal.

Chippewa County 50th Circuit Court

The 50th Circuit Court in Sault Ste. Marie handles all felony OWI charges filed in Chippewa County. Michigan law makes a third OWI offense a felony, and there is no time limit on how far back prior offenses can be counted. Michigan ended its 10-year lookback rule in 2007. That means a prior OWI from 20 years ago still counts as a prior offense when someone faces a new OWI charge today.

Felony OWI cases involving death are charged as Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15-year felony. Cases involving serious impairment of a body function carry up to 5 years in prison. These serious charges are handled from start to finish by the 50th Circuit Court, and the clerk's office keeps complete records of every proceeding.

Circuit court records are searchable on MiCOURT using case type code FD for felony drunk driving. The search is free. You can look up cases by name, case number, or date range. Certified document copies must be requested from the clerk's office at 319 Court St.

91st District Court OWI Records

The 91st District Court at 319 Court St handles misdemeanor OWI cases in Chippewa County. Phone for the district court is 906-635-6327. First and second offense OWI charges under MCL 257.625 are filed here. A first offense OWI is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, fines from $100 to $500, and license suspension. Second offense OWI carries up to 1 year in jail and can result in license revocation for up to 1 year.

The Super Drunk charge applies when a driver's BAC reaches 0.17% or higher. On a first offense this is still a misdemeanor in district court, but the penalties are higher than a standard OWI. Jail time goes up to 180 days. The ignition interlock device requirement kicks in during the restricted license period. All of these cases are filed and tracked by the 91st District Court clerk.

Search 91st District Court OWI cases on MiCOURT. Case type codes OD and SD cover ordinance and statute drunk driving. The system is free to use and shows current case status, next hearing dates, and charge information. For older closed cases or certified documents, contact the court clerk in Sault Ste. Marie.

Statewide Search Tools for Chippewa OWI Cases

For a broader search that goes beyond Chippewa County, Michigan offers several statewide databases. These are especially useful if a person has OWI history in multiple counties or if you need to check for out-of-area convictions.

ICHAT is the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool. Each search costs $10 and covers all 83 Michigan counties. It returns criminal conviction data reported to the state, including OWI misdemeanors and felonies. Arrests without convictions do not appear. The database is updated regularly and is generally the most reliable source for conviction history across the state.

MiCOURT is the free court case search run by the Michigan Supreme Court. It covers participating courts and shows case details including charges, status, and scheduled hearings. OTIS searches people under Michigan Department of Corrections supervision. If someone received a prison sentence for a felony OWI in Chippewa County or elsewhere, they may appear in OTIS. The MSP Criminal History Records service handles formal requests for certified background reports.

Chippewa County Sheriff's Office Records

The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for county roads and unincorporated areas. The Sault Ste. Marie Police Department handles calls within the city limits. Both agencies make OWI arrests and prepare incident reports that form the basis of court cases in the 50th Circuit and 91st District courts.

Incident reports and arrest records from the sheriff are accessible through a FOIA request under MCL 15.231. Write to the Chippewa County Sheriff at 325 Court St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The office has 5 business days to respond. Responses can include the records, a partial response with redactions, a denial with explanation, or an extension request if more time is needed to gather records.

FOIA requests should include the full name of the subject, date of birth, and the approximate date of the incident. The more detail you provide, the faster the office can locate records. Fees may apply for copying and staff time. Ask for an itemized cost estimate before the records are pulled if the volume might be large.

Michigan OWI Law and Chippewa County Cases

Michigan's OWI statute is MCL 257.625. The standard BAC threshold is 0.08%. Drivers under 21 are subject to a 0.02% limit under Michigan's zero-tolerance law. Commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit. Any BAC at or above 0.17% triggers the enhanced High BAC or Super Drunk charge.

The penalty structure rises sharply with each offense. A first OWI is a 93-day misdemeanor. A second OWI carries up to 1 year. A third OWI is a felony with up to 5 years in prison. These escalating consequences apply regardless of how much time has passed between offenses. Michigan has no lookback limit.

Michigan's implied consent law at MCL 257.625c means drivers who refuse a chemical test face automatic consequences through the Secretary of State. A first refusal results in a 1-year license suspension. A second refusal within 7 years results in a 2-year suspension. These administrative suspensions run alongside any criminal case.

OWI convictions stay on both the criminal and driving records permanently. Clean Slate legislation does allow some first-time OWI offenders to petition for expungement, but only after at least 5 years from sentencing. The Road to Restoration program offers clinics throughout the state to help people navigate license restoration and expungement options.

Driving Records and OWI History

Two distinct record systems document OWI history in Michigan. The court system tracks criminal cases from charge through sentencing. The Secretary of State tracks license actions, points, and driving-related convictions. A person can have entries in both systems, or just one, depending on how a case resolved.

Michigan driving records are available through the SOS driving records page. A standard record costs $11. It shows OWI convictions, license sanctions, and points. OWI convictions appear on the driving record for the life of the license and do not age off. Points from OWI offenses factor into suspension calculations on a rolling 2-year basis.

For a full criminal history that covers all Michigan counties, use ICHAT or submit a formal request through MSP Criminal History Records. These services show conviction data statewide. They are not substitutes for the actual court file, which you must request from the circuit or district court clerk. The MSP FOIA process is outlined at the MSP FOIA page if you need records held at the state police level.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chippewa County. Each handles OWI cases through its own circuit and district courts.