Find Presque Isle County DUI Records

Presque Isle County DUI records are maintained by the 26th Circuit Court and the 88th District Court, which serve the county from Rogers City. Free OWI case lookups are available through the MiCOURT public search tool, and a full statewide criminal history runs $10 through ICHAT. This page explains which courts handle OWI cases in Presque Isle County, how to request arrest records from the Sheriff's Office, and what state databases hold driving and conviction data related to impaired driving charges.

Presque Isle County Court Structure for OWI

Two courts handle OWI cases in Presque Isle County. The 88th District Court processes misdemeanor charges, covering first and second offense OWI. The 26th Circuit Court takes felony cases, which start at a third offense or when an OWI causes death or serious physical injury. Both courts serve Rogers City, the county seat.

The 26th Circuit Court covers three counties: Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle. The 88th District Court similarly serves all three. Because the courts are shared across this three-county region, a MiCOURT search may return cases from any of the three counties under the same court heading. Check the case details to confirm which county originated a specific case. The county's main website is at presqueislecounty.org.

All OWI charges in Presque Isle County fall under MCL 257.625, Michigan's operating while intoxicated statute. That law defines BAC thresholds, charge categories, and the rules that separate misdemeanor from felony OWI.

How to Search Presque Isle County OWI Records

The free starting point is MiCOURT, the statewide public case search run by the Michigan Supreme Court. It covers both the 26th Circuit and the 88th District courts. Search by name or case number to find charge codes, hearing dates, and dispositions. OWI cases appear under codes OD for standard OWI, SD for Super Drunk at 0.17 percent BAC or above, and FD for felony drunk driving. Because the courts serve three counties, MiCOURT results may include cases from Alpena or Montmorency counties alongside Presque Isle cases. Check the location or case number prefix to identify the right records.

For a complete Michigan criminal history, ICHAT costs $10 per search and draws from the Michigan State Police criminal history database. It covers all 83 counties. This matters in Presque Isle County because someone might have prior OWI convictions in a different county that would not appear in a MiCOURT search limited to local courts. Michigan has no time limit on prior OWI convictions. The 10-year lookback was removed in 2007, so every prior OWI stays on the record permanently and counts when prosecutors charge a second or third offense.

The Presque Isle County Sheriff's Office handles OWI arrests throughout the county. The office is at 151 E. Huron Ave., Rogers City, MI 49779. FOIA requests for arrest records and incident reports are submitted in writing to the Sheriff's Office at that address. Michigan's FOIA law under MCL 15.231 gives agencies five business days to respond, with an optional ten-day extension for complex requests. Fees for copies and search time may apply.

OWI Charge Types in Michigan

Michigan uses OWI as the legal term for impaired driving. Standard OWI requires a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. The Super Drunk charge applies at 0.17 percent and adds mandatory penalties even for a first offense. Under-21 drivers face charges at 0.02 percent. Commercial drivers are subject to a 0.04 percent limit.

OWVI, operating while visibly impaired, does not require a specific BAC reading. The charge applies when a driver clearly appears impaired, and it can be filed as a standalone charge or alongside standard OWI. OWPD, operating with the presence of drugs, covers cases where a chemical test detects any Schedule 1 controlled substance under MCL 257.625(8). THC is specifically covered, and the charge applies even without visible signs of impairment. Both OWVI and OWPD appear in MiCOURT searches the same way standard OWI does.

In Presque Isle County, first and second offense OWI cases go to the 88th District Court as misdemeanors. Third offense OWI and any OWI involving serious injury or death go to the 26th Circuit Court as felonies. A felony OWI conviction can lead to state prison time, long-term license revocation, and substantial fines. The Michigan State Police impaired driving law page explains each charge level and the penalties that come with it.

Sheriff Records and FOIA in Presque Isle County

The Presque Isle County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. Most OWI arrests in unincorporated areas go through the Sheriff. The office is at 151 E. Huron Avenue in Rogers City, Michigan 49779.

Arrest records from the Sheriff are public documents under MCL 15.231. A written FOIA request is required. Send it to the Presque Isle County Sheriff at 151 E. Huron Ave., Rogers City, MI 49779. Describe the specific records you need, including any known names, dates, or incident numbers. The agency must respond within five business days and may extend by ten additional days for large requests. Fees for copying and research time may be charged. The arrest record shows what charges were filed. For the court disposition, use MiCOURT or contact the court clerk directly.

The image above shows Michigan's statewide DUI records tools, including the MiCOURT and ICHAT portals, which cover Presque Isle County OWI records along with all other Michigan counties.

State Sources for OWI Data

Several Michigan state databases hold information connected to Presque Isle County OWI cases. The Michigan Department of Corrections runs OTIS, which tracks people serving state prison sentences and on parole. Felony OWI convictions that led to state prison time will appear in OTIS. Most misdemeanor OWI sentences do not include state prison, but third-offense and more serious cases sometimes do.

The Michigan State Police maintains statewide criminal history data through its Criminal History Records unit. That data feeds directly into ICHAT. For any OWI arrests made by MSP troopers working in Presque Isle County, records are requested through the MSP FOIA office, not through the county sheriff. Those are two separate agencies with two separate FOIA processes.

Driving records and license status are held by the Secretary of State. The SOS driving records service shows suspensions, restrictions, and revocations tied to OWI convictions. People working to reinstate a revoked license after multiple OWI convictions can start with the SOS Road to Restoration program. That process involves a formal hearing and meeting specific eligibility requirements.

Michigan's Clean Slate law allows first-time OWI offenders to petition for expungement after five years from the date of conviction. This applies only to first-offense misdemeanor OWI. It does not cover felony OWI or any case where someone was injured. Expungement removes the conviction from the criminal record but does not remove it from the driving record maintained by the Secretary of State.

Shared Courts Across Three Counties

Presque Isle County shares the 26th Circuit Court and 88th District Court with Alpena and Montmorency counties. This is a common arrangement in Michigan's less populated northern counties, where one set of judges covers a multi-county area. The arrangement affects records searches in a few ways.

When you search MiCOURT for cases involving the 26th Circuit or 88th District, results may include cases from all three counties served by those courts. The case number itself, or a county designation in the record, will identify which county originated the case. If you are not sure which county a case came from, contact the court clerk directly and give them the person's name and approximate date. They can confirm the county of origin.

For FOIA purposes, arrest records go to the sheriff of whichever county made the arrest. If Presque Isle County deputies made an arrest, the FOIA goes to the Presque Isle County Sheriff at 151 E. Huron Ave. If Alpena County or Montmorency County deputies were involved, the request goes to the relevant sheriff in that county. The courts themselves are accessed through the same clerk's office regardless of county of origin, since the courts serve the whole three-county region.

Nearby Counties

Presque Isle County is in northeastern Michigan. The counties below border Presque Isle or share courts with the county.