Search Dearborn Traffic Records

Dearborn traffic ticket records are filed and maintained by the 19th District Court, located on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. The court processes civil infraction citations issued by Dearborn police officers, state troopers, and other law enforcement working within the city. If you received a traffic ticket in Dearborn, the 19th District Court is the court that holds that record. You can search cases through Michigan's MiCOURT system online, visit the clerk's office in person, or call the court to ask about a specific citation.

19th District Court - Dearborn Traffic Cases

The 19th District Court handles all traffic citations issued within Dearborn city limits. The court is on Michigan Avenue, also known as US-12, one of the busiest corridors in Wayne County. Officers frequently enforce traffic laws along that stretch, as well as on the Southfield Freeway service drives and Ford Road. When you get a ticket in Dearborn, your citation goes to this court for processing under MCL 257.907, which governs civil infraction procedures in Michigan.

Civil infractions are not criminal matters. You do not get a jury trial. Instead, you have options: pay the fine by the due date, request an informal hearing in front of a magistrate, or request a formal hearing before a district court judge. Each choice has a different outcome. Paying the fine closes the case but puts points on your driving record. An informal hearing gives you a chance to explain your situation to a magistrate. A formal hearing is more structured and lets you contest the ticket with evidence and testimony.

The clerk's office at the 19th District Court maintains all civil infraction case files. Record requests are accepted during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can look up cases by name or citation number and make copies for you. Certified copies cost more than plain copies but are required for legal proceedings, insurance disputes, and some employer background checks.

Copy fees at the 19th District Court are $1.00 per page for plain copies and $10.00 for a certified copy of a document. These fees apply to traffic case records, orders, and other court documents. Payment is accepted in person. For mail requests, include a check or money order along with the case details and your return address. Call ahead to confirm current fees before sending payment.

MiCOURT Online Case Search for Dearborn

Michigan's MiCOURT system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search gives free online access to district court records, including cases at the 19th District Court in Dearborn. To search, go to the site, choose Wayne County, and select the 19th District Court. Then enter the defendant's full name or the case number. The search returns a list of matching cases with basic details about each one.

Each case record in MiCOURT shows the citation number, the charge or violation type, the date of the offense, any scheduled hearing dates, and the current status of the case. You can see if the case is open, paid, dismissed, or has an outstanding amount due. The system is useful for checking the status of a ticket without calling the court. Results are updated regularly, though there can be a short lag between a court action and when it shows up in the system.

MiCOURT shows summary information, not the full case file. If you need a complete record with all documents, you need to contact the 19th District Court directly. The main Michigan courts website at courts.michigan.gov has additional help for finding records and understanding the civil infraction process. If you are unsure which court holds your case, MiCOURT lets you search across multiple courts at once.

Michigan Traffic Points and Your Driving Record

Michigan tracks driving violations through a point system under MCL 257.320. When a court reports a civil infraction finding or criminal conviction to the Secretary of State, points are added to your driving record. The number of points depends on the type of violation. A minor speeding ticket typically adds two points. Running a red light adds three points. Reckless driving adds six. Points stay on your driving record for two years from the date of the offense, not the date of conviction.

The point thresholds matter. At 12 points, the Secretary of State sends you an advisory letter. At 14 points, your license may be restricted. At 18 points, suspension is possible. These are not just warnings. The state can act on your license even if you have not been charged with a crime. If you are a Dearborn driver who has received several tickets in a short period, your point total can add up quickly, especially on high-traffic roads like Michigan Avenue and Ford Road where enforcement is common.

You can see your current points and full driving history through ExpressSOS at mvic.sos.state.mi.us. Both informal and certified versions of your driving record are available there. The informal record is fine for personal use. The certified record is needed for court hearings, insurance disputes, or when an employer requests one. Michigan also allows a two-point reduction if you complete a certified driver improvement course, but you can only use this benefit once every three years.

Paying a civil infraction fine without contesting it counts as an admission. Points are added automatically. If you want to avoid points, request a formal hearing and contest the citation. If the officer does not appear or the case is dismissed, no points are added. Talk to a traffic attorney if you have questions about how to handle a ticket that would push your point total into a problem range.

Getting Copies of Dearborn Traffic Records

You can get copies of traffic case records from the 19th District Court by visiting the clerk's office in person or submitting a request by mail. In-person requests are handled during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring the case number or the full name and date of birth of the person named on the citation. Staff will locate the case and provide copies. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 per document.

For mail requests, write a letter with the case number or defendant's full name and date of birth, specify the type of record you need, include the number of copies, and enclose a check or money order for the correct amount. Mail to 19th District Court, 16077 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126. Do not send cash. Processing times vary. Call (313) 943-2065 before mailing to confirm the current fee schedule and expected turnaround time.

For your official Michigan driving record, you need to contact the Secretary of State separately. Use Form BDVR-154 under MCL 257.208c to request a driving record. The form is available at Secretary of State branch offices or through ExpressSOS at mvic.sos.state.mi.us. Your driving record is maintained by the state, not the local court. It reflects all violations reported by courts across Michigan, not just those from Dearborn.

Wayne County Traffic Records

Dearborn is in Wayne County. The county court system oversees district courts throughout the county, including the 19th District Court. The Wayne County page has more detail on how traffic records are managed across the county and what other courts operate in the area.

Wayne County Traffic Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities in and around Wayne County also have district courts that process traffic tickets.