St. Joseph County Traffic Ticket Records
St. Joseph County traffic ticket records are on file at the courthouse in Centreville, Michigan. The Circuit Court at 125 W Main Street and the District Court at 108 W Main Street both serve the county. Citations issued on US-131, M-86, and other roadways in this southwest Michigan county are all processed through these courts. MiCOURT provides free online case search access, and the clerks can assist with phone requests or in-person visits. This page explains how to find and access St. Joseph County traffic records.
St. Joseph County Overview
St. Joseph County Courts for Traffic Cases
The St. Joseph County Circuit Court is at 125 W Main Street in Centreville, phone (269) 467-5502. The District Court is a short distance away at 108 W Main Street, phone (269) 467-5504. The District Court handles the large majority of traffic cases that come through the county. Civil infraction tickets, moving violations, misdemeanor traffic offenses, and first-offense OWI charges all go to the District Court. Circuit Court handles felony traffic cases and any appeals from District Court decisions.
Michigan law under MCL 257.907 classifies most traffic tickets as civil infractions. These are not criminal matters. They do not result in jail time. A civil infraction ticket gives the defendant a deadline to respond. You can pay the assessed fine, admit responsibility with an explanation to the judge, or request a formal hearing to contest the charge. If you choose a hearing and disagree with the outcome at the District Court level, you have the right to appeal to Circuit Court.
St. Joseph County shares a border with Indiana, and US-131 is a major commercial corridor through the county. The combination of local commuters, truckers, and interstate traffic means traffic enforcement is consistent throughout the year. Citations from state police patrols on US-131 and from the county sheriff on county roads all go through the Centreville courts.
Both courts are in Centreville, just a short walk apart on W Main Street. If you are not sure whether your ticket was handled by the District or Circuit Court, start with the District Court at (269) 467-5504. The clerk can confirm which court has the record and give you the current case status.
| Circuit Court | 125 W Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Phone | (269) 467-5502 |
| District Court | 108 W Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032 |
| District Court Phone | (269) 467-5504 |
| Region | Southwest Lower Michigan (borders Indiana) |
Circuit and District Courts are at different addresses on W Main Street in Centreville.
Search St. Joseph County Traffic Records Online
Michigan's statewide case search tool, MiCOURT, covers St. Joseph County District and Circuit Court records. Access is free and does not require an account. Visit the MiCOURT site, accept the terms of service, complete the CAPTCHA, and enter a last name or case number. Results show party names, charges, case type, status, and docket activity. The system is run by the Michigan Courts administration and is updated regularly.
MiCOURT is useful for checking whether a ticket was filed as a case, what the disposition was, whether a fine was paid, and whether any hearings are pending. For civil infractions, the system shows outcome clearly. For criminal traffic matters, it shows the charges, plea, and sentence if applicable.
If a St. Joseph County case does not appear in MiCOURT, it may predate the county's digital records. Older cases from the early 1990s are often in paper form only. Call the District Court clerk at (269) 467-5504 to request a manual search for older records.
Michigan Secretary of State and Driving Records
The Michigan Secretary of State maintains driving records for all licensed Michigan drivers, including those who receive citations in St. Joseph County. When the court processes a conviction, it notifies the SOS, and the record is updated. You can request your own driving record directly from the SOS at any time.
The SOS website at michigan.gov/sos is the starting point for driving record requests, license status checks, and other SOS services. The ExpressSOS portal handles online record orders for $12. Your record shows all Michigan traffic convictions, the points assigned, and your current license status as defined under MCL 257.328. For questions or disputes, call the SOS General Information line at (888) 767-6424.
Traffic Points for St. Joseph County Drivers
A traffic conviction in St. Joseph County triggers a point assignment on your Michigan driving record. Under MCL 257.320, the Secretary of State tracks points on a two-year rolling window from the conviction date. When a conviction is more than two years old, those points drop off. The total at any moment reflects only the points from the past two years.
Point values by offense: speeding 1 to 10 mph over is 1 point; following too close is 2 points; careless driving is 3 points; speeding 11 to 15 mph over is 3 points; disobeying a traffic signal is 4 points; speeding 16 or more mph over is 4 points; reckless driving is 6 points; OWI is 6 points. Only the highest point value from a single incident counts toward your total.
At 12 points in two years, the SOS schedules a mandatory driver reexamination. At 18 or more points, license suspension becomes possible. A warning letter goes out at 6 points. Check your current total through the ExpressSOS portal. If you think a St. Joseph County conviction was reported incorrectly, the SOS dispute process at (888) 767-6424 is the right path.
Drivers under a probationary license in St. Joseph County face stricter thresholds. Two tickets in 12 months or a single 4-point or higher offense can trigger a mandatory reexamination regardless of the total point balance.
Copies of St. Joseph County Traffic Case Records
Contact the St. Joseph County District Court clerk at 108 W Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032 to request copies of traffic case records. You can call (269) 467-5504 to ask what is on file and what the copy fees are. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are needed for formal use, such as providing documentation to an insurer or an attorney. Plain copies are fine for personal reference or review.
Mail requests should include a letter with your full name, the case number if you have it, and the approximate date of the ticket or hearing. Send a check or money order payable to the court along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will return the requested copy by mail. Call first to confirm the current per-page fee before mailing payment.
Driving records are a separate item handled by the Michigan Secretary of State. Order yours online through ExpressSOS for $12. Third parties seeking another person's driving record must use the BDVR-154 form and certify a permissible purpose under MCL 257.208c. Insurers, courts, and certain employers are among those who qualify.
Nearby Counties
St. Joseph County is in southwest Michigan, bordering Indiana to the south. These surrounding Michigan counties maintain traffic records through MiCOURT and their local district courts.