Search Waterford Township Bench Warrants

Bench warrants in Waterford Township, Michigan come from the 51st District Court for misdemeanor cases and the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac for felony matters. Waterford Township is a charter township in Oakland County with its own dedicated district court. If you need to check for an active bench warrant or look up case records from a Waterford court, you can call the 51st District Court, use the MiCOURT portal, or contact the Oakland County Sheriff. This page explains where to search, what you will find, who to call, and what to do if you or someone you know has a bench warrant out of Waterford Township.

Waterford 51st District Court Warrants

The 51st District Court is at 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329. The main phone is (248) 674-4655. The criminal and traffic division can be reached at (248) 671-7591. The civil division number is (248) 671-7593. The DWI and Drug Court program line is (248) 674-7647. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Chief Judge Richard D. Kuhn Jr. and Chief Judge Pro Tem Todd A. Fox handle cases at this court.

The 51st District Court covers Waterford Township only. It handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases up to $25,000, and small claims. When someone fails to show for a hearing or breaks a court order, the judge issues a bench warrant. The warrant stays active with no expiration date until the person shows up, gets arrested, or the judge decides to recall it.

To check on a bench warrant, call the criminal and traffic division at (248) 671-7591. Give the full name and date of birth. A case number helps. The clerk will check the system and let you know if a warrant is active. You can also visit the court in person during business hours with a valid photo ID.

Finding Waterford Bench Warrants Online

The MiCOURT Case Search is the main online tool for court records in Waterford Township. It is free. Select Oakland County and search by name or case number. The system returns case records with docket entries. Look for notations like "bench warrant issued" or "failure to appear" in the register of actions. The system does not show live warrant status, but it shows case history and current case status. Most courts update within a day or two.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office Records Division at (248) 858-5517 handles warrant verification for all of Oakland County. The Warrants Unit maintains records from all 15 district courts and the 6th Circuit Court. You can call, visit at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 38E in Pontiac, or email ocsorecords@oakgov.com. In-person visits need a valid photo ID. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Waterford Police Department at 5150 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329 can also verify warrants. The non-emergency line is (248) 618-7550. They are right next to the courthouse and can help with warrant questions for Waterford Township matters.

For felony cases, Court Explorer covers the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County. Search by case number or name. The register of actions shows bench warrant entries for felony cases. This tool does not include district court cases, only circuit court and probate court records.

What Waterford Township Bench Warrants Include

A bench warrant from the 51st District Court follows MCL 780.654. It includes the defendant's full name, date of birth, last known address, case number, court name, judge, and reason for the warrant. The reason could be failure to appear, probation violation, or failure to pay. A bond amount is listed if the judge set one. The warrant directs law enforcement to arrest the person and bring them to court. It goes into LEIN, so any Michigan officer can see it at any time.

Failure to appear is the most common reason for bench warrants in Waterford Township. A person misses a hearing and the judge signs the warrant. Probation violations are next. A missed check-in with the probation officer, a positive drug test, or a new charge can all trigger a bench warrant. The DWI and Drug Court program at (248) 674-7647 handles substance-related probation matters. If a bench warrant came from that program, contact them directly for guidance.

Court records in Michigan are public under Michigan Court Rule 8.119. Bench warrant records tied to criminal and traffic cases are generally open. Juvenile and mental health records are confidential. Under MCL 764.15, any officer in Michigan can execute a Waterford Township bench warrant.

Clearing Waterford Township Bench Warrants

Go to the 51st District Court at 5100 Civic Center Drive during business hours. Bring your ID. You will be arraigned and a new hearing date will be set. Bond may be required. Showing up on your own terms is the better path. It lets you prepare and avoids the disruption of being arrested at a traffic stop or during a police contact.

A lawyer can file a motion to quash the warrant. That is a formal request asking the judge to recall it and schedule a new date. The Oakland County Bar Association at (248) 334-3400 offers referrals. Michigan Legal Aid provides free help to people who qualify. The State Bar of Michigan referral service is at (800) 968-0738. If you get arrested and cannot afford a lawyer, the court provides one at no cost.

• Turn yourself in at 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford
• Call (248) 671-7591 to check on your case first
• Contact the Oakland County Sheriff at (248) 858-5517
• Hire an attorney to file a motion to quash
• Post bond at the court during business hours

Copies of court documents from Oakland County cost $1 to $5 per page. Certified copies run $5 to $10. The Clerk's Office at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac processes mail and in-person requests. A warrant status check by phone is free. The Oakland County Sheriff offers a $5 background check letter that shows whether a person has been arrested or held by the OCSO.

Nearby Cities

Waterford Township is in the northwestern part of Oakland County. Several qualifying cities are nearby with their own court systems.