Washtenaw County DUI Records

Washtenaw County DUI records include OWI arrests and court cases handled by the 22nd Circuit Court and four district courts serving Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and surrounding areas. Multiple online search tools exist for this county, including a city-level case search at the 15th District Court. This page explains where these records are, how to search them, and what you will find.

Washtenaw County Court Structure for OWI Cases

Washtenaw County has more district courts than most Michigan counties of its size, which reflects the variety of cities and townships within it. The right court depends on where the OWI arrest happened. Misdemeanor OWI (first and second offense) goes to the district court that covers that area. Felony OWI (third offense, OWI causing death or serious injury) goes to the 22nd Circuit Court under MCL 257.625.

The 22nd Circuit Court is at 101 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor, (734) 222-3270. Their website is at washtenaw.org/circuit-court. This court holds all felony-level OWI records for Washtenaw County. The 14A District Court serves portions of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township. The main 14A location is at 301 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor, (734) 794-6750. A second 14A location is at 620 W. Ellsworth Road in Ann Arbor's Pittsfield Township area, (734) 971-8863.

The 14B District Court covers Ypsilanti. It is at 142 E. Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti, (734) 483-1333. The 15th District Court serves Ann Arbor as a city court. It is also at 301 E. Huron Street, (734) 794-6750. Its website is at a2gov.org. The 15th District Court is notable because it has its own public case search available online.

How to Search Washtenaw County DUI Records

The 15th District Court offers its own public case search at a2gov.org. This tool is specific to Ann Arbor city cases. It uses the standard MiCOURT case codes: OD for Ordinance Drunk Driving, SD for Statute Drunk Driving, and FD for Felony Drunk Driving. If you are looking for an OWI case from within Ann Arbor city, start here. It is free and does not require an account.

For all Washtenaw County courts, MiCOURT is the statewide tool. It is free and covers the 22nd Circuit Court, 14A, 14B, and 15th District Courts in one search. Enter a name or case number and filter by court if needed. Results show charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. This is the quickest way to find OWI records across all courts in the county.

For a criminal conviction record, use ICHAT at $10 per search. ICHAT pulls from the Michigan State Police criminal history system. It shows all OWI convictions statewide, not just those in Washtenaw County. Combined with MiCOURT, it gives a complete picture of both pending cases and past convictions.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff at 2201 Hogback Road in Ann Arbor, (734) 971-8400, handles arrests in unincorporated areas. For arrest-level records from the sheriff's office, submit a FOIA request under MCL 15.231. The agency must respond within five business days.

Washtenaw County Circuit Court Records

The 22nd Circuit Court's website at washtenaw.org provides access to court records and clerk information for felony OWI cases in Washtenaw County.

Shown above is the Washtenaw County online resource, which is a starting point for both court case access and sheriff-level arrest information relevant to OWI records.

In-person access to Circuit Court records is available at 101 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor during regular court hours. The clerk can pull case files and provide copies. Certified copies cost more than plain copies; the clerk can quote current rates at (734) 222-3270.

OWI Law and How It Applies in Washtenaw County

Michigan's OWI statute is MCL 257.625. It sets out all levels of impaired driving in the state. Standard OWI requires a BAC at or above 0.08%. The High BAC or Super Drunk law applies when BAC hits 0.17%. Super Drunk carries longer jail time, bigger fines, and a longer ignition interlock requirement. Drivers under 21 must stay under 0.02% under the Zero Tolerance law. Commercial drivers must stay under 0.04%.

Washtenaw County also sees OWVI and OWPD charges frequently. OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired) is a lesser offense that does not require a specific BAC level. Prosecutors sometimes offer it as a plea reduction from full OWI. OWPD (Operating With Presence of Drugs) applies to any Schedule 1 drug found in a driver's system. It is strict liability, meaning presence of the drug alone is enough. All three charge types appear in Washtenaw County DUI records at the 14A, 14B, and 15th District Courts for misdemeanor cases.

Michigan dropped the 10-year lookback rule in 2007. Every prior OWI conviction counts as a prior, no matter how long ago it happened. A third OWI is a felony regardless of when the earlier offenses occurred. This rule affects how the 22nd Circuit Court processes repeat offenders in Washtenaw County. The Michigan Legislature's site at legislature.mi.gov has the full current text of MCL 257.625.

Implied consent rules under MCL 257.625c through 625e mean that any driver on Michigan roads has implicitly agreed to chemical testing if arrested for OWI. Refusing the test brings a one-year suspension for the first refusal and two years for a second refusal within seven years. These suspension records go on the driving history held by the Secretary of State and are separate from the court case file.

Driving Records After an OWI in Washtenaw County

The Secretary of State keeps Michigan driving records. Request one at michigan.gov/sos. An OWI conviction in Washtenaw County shows on the driving record permanently, alongside any suspension or revocation tied to the case. This is a separate document from the court record and must be requested separately.

Driver Responsibility Fees total $2,000 per OWI conviction, paid as $1,000 per year over two years. People who have their license revoked after multiple OWIs may need to go through the Road to Restoration program before they can legally drive again. This program involves a hearing with the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division and evidence of sobriety.

For people with felony OWI convictions who are incarcerated or on parole, the OTIS system at michigan.gov/corrections is a public search tool. It shows current custody and parole status. Washtenaw County felony OWI cases that result in prison time will appear there. The MSP impaired driving page publishes statewide OWI data and enforcement reports that include statistics from Washtenaw County.

Cities in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor is the only city in Washtenaw County with its own DUI records page.

Nearby Counties

Washtenaw County sits in southeastern Michigan and shares borders with several counties. OWI cases near county lines may involve courts from more than one jurisdiction.