Search Grand Traverse County Traffic Records
Grand Traverse County traffic ticket records are processed through the 86th District Court in Traverse City. All traffic citations issued in the county go through this court, and cases are searchable online through MiCOURT. This page covers how to find Grand Traverse County traffic records, what the point system means for your license, and where to get certified copies of case documents.
Grand Traverse County Overview
86th District Court - Grand Traverse County Traffic Records
The 86th District Court at 322 Washington Street in Traverse City handles all traffic citations issued in Grand Traverse County. This is where civil infractions, moving violations, and misdemeanor traffic cases are heard and decided. The court keeps records of every case, including the original charge, any hearings, and the final outcome. If you need to find a Grand Traverse County traffic ticket record, the District Court is your primary source.
The Circuit Court is at 328 Washington Street, just steps away from the District Court. County Clerk Bonnie Scheele oversees the Circuit Court records. The Circuit Court handles serious traffic matters, including felony cases and appeals from District Court. The county website at gtcountymi.gov provides up-to-date contact information and hours for both courts.
Civil infractions make up most Grand Traverse County traffic cases. Under MCL 257.907, these carry maximum fines of $100 for standard violations, with a $40 Justice System Assessment added to each ticket. Drivers can contest a civil infraction by requesting an informal or formal hearing at the 86th District Court. Grand Traverse County sees elevated traffic volume during peak tourism seasons, which can affect the volume of cases moving through the court.
| 86th District Court | 322 Washington Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (231) 995-8400 |
| Circuit Court | 328 Washington Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
| Circuit Phone | (231) 922-4701 |
| Circuit Court Clerk | Bonnie Scheele |
| County Website | gtcountymi.gov |
Search Grand Traverse Traffic Cases Through MiCOURT
MiCOURT gives the public free online access to Grand Traverse County traffic case records. Visit micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search, accept the terms of service, and complete the CAPTCHA to begin. You can search by the driver's name or by case number. For Grand Traverse County cases, the results show case status, hearing schedules, charges, and dispositions. MiCOURT does not provide full document downloads, but it is sufficient to confirm whether a case is open, resolved, or dismissed.
For document copies or certified records from the 86th District Court, contact the clerk's office at (231) 995-8400. Certified copies carry a fee, and requests can be made in person or by mail. Walk-in service is available during regular courthouse hours. The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov explains how to navigate the MiCOURT system and what case types are included.
The Michigan Courts site provides a direct link to MiCOURT and guidance for all counties, including Grand Traverse. It is a good starting point for anyone unfamiliar with the case search system.
Points and Grand Traverse County Traffic Violations
A traffic conviction in Grand Traverse County results in points assigned to your Michigan driving record under MCL 257.320. The Secretary of State maintains these points, and they stay on record for two years from the conviction date. The number of points depends on the seriousness of the violation.
Speeding 11 to 15 mph over the posted limit adds 3 points. Speeding 16 or more over adds 4. Careless driving, failure to stop for a school bus, and improper passing all carry 3 points. At the higher end, reckless driving, OWI, hit-and-run, and fleeing a police officer each add 6 points. These values are the same for all Michigan counties, including Grand Traverse. The Secretary of State sends a written warning at 6 points within two years. At 12 or more points, mandatory driver reexamination is required. Suspension can follow at 18 points.
Under MCL 257.320a, only the single highest point offense from one incident counts toward your total. If a Grand Traverse County officer writes multiple tickets from a single stop, the lower-point violations do not add to your running point tally. Points are calculated from the court conviction date, not the date of the traffic stop.
Note: Grand Traverse County drivers who are convicted of a violation during tourist season may still request a traffic safety course to offset points, subject to approval at the court's discretion.Driving Records for Grand Traverse County Drivers
Traffic convictions from the 86th District Court appear on your Michigan driving record once the court reports them to the Secretary of State. Under MCL 257.328, the record includes your full name, date of birth, license number, license status, every traffic violation and conviction on file, accident history, and point accumulation. This comprehensive record is what insurance carriers, courts, and employers review when they need your driving history.
You can order your own driving record online through the ExpressSOS portal for $12 certified or $11 non-certified. The record is available right away after payment. Alternatively, mail form BDVR-154 with a check or money order payable to State of Michigan to the Record Sales Unit, 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918. Mail orders take three to five business days. In-person requests are accepted at any Secretary of State branch office, including those near Traverse City.
Grand Traverse County Traffic Enforcement and Records
Grand Traverse County traffic enforcement involves multiple agencies, including the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office, Traverse City Police, Michigan State Police, and township law enforcement. All citations issued by any of these agencies for violations occurring in the county go through the 86th District Court. The court is the central holder of all traffic case records in Grand Traverse County.
Accident-related tickets involve a separate report under MCL 257.617. Officers file accident reports within 24 hours for crashes involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Those reports go to the MSP Traffic Safety Division and are maintained separately from the court case record. Parties to a crash can request copies through the MSP or through local law enforcement in Grand Traverse County.
The MSP ICHAT tool at michigan.gov/ichat costs $10 per search and covers criminal history. Most traffic infractions are civil and will not show up in ICHAT. OWI and reckless driving convictions from Grand Traverse County, however, would appear as criminal matters. For civil infraction records, MiCOURT is the right tool.
Nearby Counties
Grand Traverse County is in northwest Michigan. These surrounding counties also maintain traffic records through MiCOURT and their own district courts.