Oakland County Traffic Ticket Records
Oakland County traffic ticket records are held by the district court that issued the citation. The county runs Court Explorer, a free online tool that lets you pull up traffic cases any time of day or night. Whether you need to check a fine, look up a court date, or request a certified copy of a traffic case, this guide covers the offices, fees, and steps you need.
Oakland County Overview
Oakland County Court Explorer
Oakland County runs one of the best online case search tools in Michigan. Court Explorer gives the public free access to records from every court in the county. You don't need an account or a password. Just go to the site and search by name, case number, filing date, case type, or court location. The system works around the clock, seven days a week.
The tool covers traffic cases from all ten district courts in Oakland County, plus the 6th Circuit Court for felony traffic matters. When you find a case, the detail view shows the charges, the register of actions, upcoming hearing dates, financial summary, and disposition. Some documents can be read online. Most case files still need an in-person visit for certified copies. Data in Court Explorer updates each night, so very recent activity may not show until the next day.
Court Explorer provides 24/7 free access to Oakland County traffic records, letting you check case status, fines owed, and scheduled hearings without calling a clerk or driving to a courthouse.
Sealed records don't appear in Court Explorer. Juvenile cases, mental health records, and expunged matters are hidden from public view. Personal identifying details are redacted in line with MCL 257.208c, Michigan's Driver Privacy Protection Act, which limits how personal data tied to driving records can be shared or displayed.
Note: For an official certified record, you still need to contact the clerk's office directly. Court Explorer is a reference tool, not a substitute for official court documents.
6th Circuit Court Records
The 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac handles felony traffic cases and appeals from district courts. If a traffic matter was elevated to a felony charge, such as OWI causing serious injury or vehicular manslaughter, that case lives here. The circuit court also handles civil appeals when someone challenges a district court decision on a traffic matter.
Records at the circuit court are maintained by the Legal Records Division. This office is separate from the main clerk counter. You can reach them at (248) 858-0582. The hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Their mailing address is 1200 N Telegraph Road, Department 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. Karen A. Spangler serves as the county clerk and oversees the broader court records function. The main court line is (248) 858-0346, and you can find more information at oakgov.com/courts.
| Court | Oakland County 6th Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1200 N Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| Legal Records Division | Department 413, same address |
| Phone | (248) 858-0582 (records) / (248) 858-0346 (main) |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | oakgov.com/courts |
| Copy Fees | $1.00 per page standard; $5.00-$10.00 certified |
Mail requests are accepted. Send a written request with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order. Cash payments work for in-person visits. Some locations accept credit cards; call ahead to confirm. There is no online request form for certified copies at the circuit court level.
Oakland County District Courts
Most traffic ticket records in Oakland County sit with one of the ten district courts. Each court covers a specific set of cities or townships. Tickets issued in a city go to that city's district court. If you aren't sure which court has your record, search Court Explorer first. The search results show the court name along with the case details.
The district courts and the areas they serve are listed below. Each court keeps its own records and handles its own in-person requests. Business hours are generally 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. Fees run $1.00 to $2.00 per page for standard copies, and $5.00 to $10.00 for certified documents. Most courts take cash, check, or money order. Call ahead if you plan to use a credit card, since not all locations accept them.
- 43rd District Court (Ferndale) - 305 E 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220 | (248) 547-3040 - serves Ferndale, Hazel Park, Madison Heights
- 44th District Court (Royal Oak) - 400 E 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067 | (248) 246-3600 - serves Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods
- 45th District Court (Oak Park) - 13600 Oak Park Blvd, Oak Park, MI 48237 | (248) 691-7500 - serves Oak Park
- 46th District Court (Southfield) - 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48076 | (248) 796-5800 | 46thdistrictcourt.org
- 47th District Court (Farmington Hills) - 31605 W 11 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336 | (248) 871-2900 | 47thdistrictcourt.org
- 48th District Court (Bloomfield Hills) - 4280 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 | (248) 647-1131
- 50th District Court (Pontiac) - 70 N Washington Street, Pontiac, MI 48342 | (248) 451-8100
- 51st District Court (Waterford) - 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329 | (248) 618-7700 | 51stdistrictcourt.org
- 52-1 District Court (Rochester Hills) - 520 W Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084 | (248) 528-0400 | 52-1districtcourt.org
- 52-4 District Court (Troy) - 520 W Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084 | (248) 528-0400 | 52-4districtcourt.org
Note: The 52-1 and 52-4 courts share a building at the Troy address but serve different jurisdictions. Check the court name on your ticket or use Court Explorer to confirm which one has your case.
Oakland County Traffic Infractions and Fines
Most traffic tickets in Oakland County are civil infractions, not criminal charges. Under MCL 257.907, a civil infraction carries a maximum base fine of $100 for standard violations. On top of that fine, the court adds a $40 Justice System Assessment (JSA) per violation. That fee goes into the court system's general fund, and it applies even if you pay the ticket without a hearing.
You have a few choices when you get a ticket. You can admit responsibility and pay online or by mail. You can request an informal hearing with the magistrate. Or you can fight the ticket at a formal hearing in front of a judge. Paying without a hearing means you admit responsibility, and the violation will appear on your driving record. The court may also order you to attend a traffic safety course in some cases.
Points stack up on your state driving record under MCL 257.320. Speeding 11 to 15 mph over the limit is 3 points. Going 16 or more over is 4 points. OWI, reckless driving, and hit-and-run are 6 points each. If you reach 12 points within two years, the Secretary of State will require you to come in for a driver reexamination. Points count from the conviction date, not the date of the stop. They stay on your record for two years from that date.
Driving Records for Oakland County Residents
Court records and driving records are two different things. Court records live with the district or circuit court. Your driving record lives with the Michigan Secretary of State. Both may show a traffic conviction, but they come from different places and cost different amounts to get.
You can pull your own driving record through the ExpressSOS portal at mvic.sos.state.mi.us. The cost is $12.00. You'll need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The record displays immediately once you pay. It shows all convictions, points, license status, and any sanctions going back as far as the state retains them. This is the same record insurance companies see when they check your history.
Mail requests go to the Michigan Department of State Record Sales Unit at 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918-1502. The phone number is (517) 322-1624. Use form BDVR-154 for individual requests. The fee is $11.00 for a non-certified record and $12.00 for a certified one. Mail requests take three to five business days, plus transit time. The Michigan Courts site and the statewide MiCOURT case search are also useful for tracking down court-level records if you're not sure which county handled a matter.
Cities in Oakland County
Oakland County has dozens of cities and townships. The major communities listed below each have their own pages with specific court information, courthouse locations, and local traffic record resources.
Other communities in Oakland County, including Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, Ferndale, Pontiac, and Oak Park, file traffic cases through their respective district courts. Use Court Explorer to find cases from any community in the county.
Nearby Counties
Oakland County borders five other Michigan counties. If a ticket was issued near a county line, check which jurisdiction issued it before searching. Each county has its own court system and online search tools.