Keweenaw County DUI Records Search

Keweenaw County DUI records are handled by the 12th Judicial Circuit Court and the 97th District Court, both located in Eagle River, the county seat. Keweenaw County occupies the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, a narrow strip of land that juts into Lake Superior and connects to the mainland through Houghton County. It is Michigan's smallest county by population and one of the most remote. OWI cases here follow the same legal framework as the rest of Michigan under MCL 257.625, and court records are publicly accessible through the same state tools available statewide.

12th Judicial Circuit Court

Keweenaw County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Houghton County. The circuit court in Eagle River handles felony OWI cases originating in Keweenaw County. Felony OWI includes third-offense and higher convictions, OWI causing death, and OWI causing serious injury. Michigan eliminated the 10-year lookback period in 2007, so any prior OWI conviction counts when determining whether a current charge qualifies as a felony.

The Keweenaw County courthouse is at 5095 4th Street in Eagle River. The circuit court clerk handles felony case filings, maintains court records, and can provide certified copies of documents upon request. Because the county is so small, the volume of cases is low compared to most Michigan counties. That also means the staff knows the caseload well and can often locate specific cases quickly.

Felony OWI cases in Keweenaw County go through the same procedural steps as in any Michigan county: arraignment, probable cause conference, preliminary examination, and trial or plea. Sentencing options include prison, probation, fines, and mandatory treatment programs. These records are public and searchable through MiCOURT. The circuit court at Eagle River handles all felony matters for the county, including post-conviction motions and parole-related hearings.

The Eagle River courthouse sits at the heart of Keweenaw County's small government complex. Given the county's low population and remote location, the courthouse handles a modest volume of OWI cases each year compared to more populated Michigan counties.

97th District Court OWI Records

The 97th District Court, also located in Eagle River, handles all misdemeanor OWI cases in Keweenaw County. This court shares its jurisdiction with the 12th Circuit and covers both Keweenaw and Houghton counties at the district court level. First and second OWI offenses that do not involve death or serious injury are filed as misdemeanors in district court. These are the most common DUI filings anywhere in Michigan, and Keweenaw is no exception.

A standard first-offense OWI in Keweenaw County carries up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, and a 30-to-180-day license suspension. A Super Drunk first offense, which applies at 0.17% BAC or higher, brings up to 180 days in jail and a one-year suspension. Second-offense OWI triggers mandatory jail time and a one-to-five-year license revocation. All of these cases are heard in the 97th District Court before potentially moving to circuit court for probation supervision in some cases.

Court records from the 97th District Court are available through MiCOURT. Search by name or case number. The system shows charges, case status, and final disposition. MiCOURT uses OD, SD, and FD case codes for drunk driving cases, which helps when you want to filter specifically for OWI matters. For full document access, contact the Eagle River courthouse directly.

Statewide Search Tools for Keweenaw OWI Cases

Three statewide tools cover OWI records from Keweenaw County and every other Michigan county. MiCOURT is the starting point for free case lookups. ICHAT provides a full criminal history for $10. OTIS covers people under MDOC supervision after a felony conviction. Each tool has a distinct purpose, and using the right one depends on what you need to know.

For Keweenaw County specifically, MiCOURT is a solid first step. The case volume is low, so a name search for a specific person tends to return clean, easy-to-read results without a lot of noise. ICHAT is more useful when you are not sure which county a prior conviction occurred in or when you need to verify that all prior OWI convictions are accounted for. This matters most in felony OWI cases where prior convictions determine the charge level.

The Michigan State Police Criminal History Record unit manages the statewide database. All courts in Michigan are required to report conviction data. Keweenaw County is included. The data flows through MSP and is accessible via ICHAT. OTIS is maintained separately by the Michigan Department of Corrections and reflects current supervision status only.

Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office Records

The Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office is located at 5105 4th St in Eagle River, adjacent to the courthouse. The sheriff's department is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. Given the county's remote location and small population, the sheriff handles most law enforcement activity, including OWI arrests throughout the county. The Michigan State Police also has a presence in the Upper Peninsula and may make OWI arrests that result in Keweenaw County court cases.

Sheriff's department records are subject to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231. You can request arrest reports, incident reports, and booking records by submitting a written FOIA request to the sheriff's office. The agency has five business days to respond. Not all records are releasable, particularly those tied to ongoing investigations or records that fall under a specific FOIA exemption. However, basic arrest information is generally available as a matter of public record.

It is worth repeating: an arrest record does not mean a conviction. OWI charges can be reduced to OWVI, dismissed outright, or result in an acquittal at trial. If you need verified conviction information, court records from MiCOURT or a full ICHAT report are more definitive. The sheriff's records are best used to understand the circumstances of an incident or confirm that an arrest occurred.

You can reach the Keweenaw County Sheriff at 906-337-0529. Written requests should be addressed to the sheriff's office at 5105 4th St, Eagle River, MI 49950. FOIA fees are set in accordance with Michigan law and vary based on the volume of records requested.

The Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office serves one of Michigan's most geographically isolated communities. MSP troopers from the nearby Calumet post often assist with patrol coverage in this remote peninsula county.

Michigan OWI Law and Keweenaw County Cases

Michigan's OWI statute, MCL 257.625, governs all drunk driving cases in Keweenaw County. The law defines OWI, sets BAC limits, and establishes penalties. A BAC of 0.08% is the standard threshold. OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired) under MCL 257.625(3) is a lesser charge that applies when a driver shows visible impairment regardless of BAC level. OWVI carries lighter penalties but still appears on driving and criminal records.

The Super Drunk threshold is 0.17% BAC. A first offense at this level is still a misdemeanor but brings harsher consequences: up to 180 days in jail, up to $700 in fines, and a one-year license suspension with restrictions that limit driving to employment-related purposes only during part of the suspension period. Drivers under 21 face a zero-tolerance rule at 0.02% BAC. Commercial vehicle operators must stay below 0.04%.

Implied consent under MCL 257.625c means any driver in Michigan has agreed to chemical testing upon a lawful arrest. Refusing a breath or blood test leads to an automatic one-year license suspension through the Secretary of State. This happens separate from the criminal case. Even if the OWI charge is later dismissed, the license suspension from a refusal still stands unless the driver wins an administrative appeal.

Michigan's Clean Slate law made first-time OWI expungement possible after five years. For Keweenaw County residents with a single OWI conviction who have stayed out of trouble, this offers a path to clearing the criminal record. The driving record, however, stays permanent. The Road to Restoration program from the SOS can help those working to get a revoked license back after multiple OWI convictions.

Driving Records and OWI History

Michigan's Secretary of State keeps driving records for all licensed drivers. An OWI conviction in Keweenaw County will appear on the SOS driving record and remain there permanently. This record is distinct from the criminal court record, even though both reflect the same conviction. Insurance companies, employers that require driving, and professional licensing boards often review both types of records.

Driving records are available through the Michigan SOS website for a fee. Certified copies cost more than standard copies. Third-party access is regulated. Drivers whose licenses were revoked due to multiple OWI convictions must go through a formal Driver Assessment and Appeal Division hearing before the SOS will restore driving privileges.

The MSP Criminal History Record is a separate system from the SOS database. ICHAT accesses the MSP database and shows OWI convictions from Keweenaw County alongside any other Michigan convictions. Checking both databases gives the most complete picture of an OWI record. For active cases, MiCOURT remains the best free tool for current case status.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Keweenaw County and handle OWI cases through their own courts.