Westland Bench Warrant Lookup

Bench warrants in Westland, Michigan are issued by the 18th District Court, which handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil matters for the city. Westland is part of Wayne County, so felony bench warrants go through the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit. If you need to search for a bench warrant connected to a Westland case, you have options that include online tools, phone calls, and in-person visits. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office and the court clerks are the most reliable sources for live warrant status. This page covers everything you need to know about finding and dealing with bench warrants in Westland.

Westland 18th District Court Warrants

The 18th District Court is at 36675 Ford Road, Westland, MI 48185. The main phone number is (734) 595-8720 and the fax is (734) 595-0160. This court covers the City of Westland only. It handles all misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic tickets, civil infractions, and small claims for Westland residents and anyone who gets a ticket within city limits. When a defendant misses a court date here, the judge issues a bench warrant from the bench. These warrants stay on file until the person shows up or the judge recalls them.

For felony cases, Westland matters go to the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. That court uses the Odyssey Public Access system where you can search criminal case records online. The Frank Murphy Hall of Justice at 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226 houses the criminal division. The records room number is (313) 224-2502. If a bench warrant from a Westland case was bound over to Circuit Court as a felony, that is where to look.

Wayne County had 362,499 open bench warrants in 2018. Most came from the 36th District Court in Detroit, but every district court in the county adds to that number. The 18th District Court contributes its share from Westland cases.

How to Search for Westland Bench Warrants

Call the 18th District Court at (734) 595-8720 and ask the clerk about a specific case. You need the full name and date of birth of the person. A case number helps. The clerk can tell you if a bench warrant is active. This is the most direct way to get current information for a Westland case.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office handles warrant enforcement for all of Wayne County. The Warrant Enforcement Bureau is at 4747 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201. You can call the warrant division at (313) 224-0414 to ask about active warrants. They check the database and confirm if a warrant exists. You need to give a full legal name and date of birth. In-person visits require a valid photo ID. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Online tools give you case history but not live warrant status. The MiCOURT Case Search is free and covers courts across Michigan. Pick Wayne County, select the 18th District Court, and search by name or case number. The docket entries may show when a bench warrant was issued. The 3rd Circuit Court's Odyssey system at cmspublic.3rdcc.org covers felony cases. Both tools show case records, not real-time warrant status.

Westland Bench Warrant Legal Details

Under Michigan law, bench warrants must meet the requirements set out in MCL 780.654. Each warrant lists the person's name, date of birth, case number, court, judge, reason for the warrant, and bond amount. The warrant commands law enforcement to arrest the person and bring them to court. It goes into LEIN so any Michigan officer can see it during a traffic stop or other contact.

Bench warrants in Westland do not expire. There is no time limit under Michigan law. A warrant issued five years ago is just as valid as one issued last week. Under MCL 764.15, any peace officer in the state can execute the warrant. You could get pulled over in Kalamazoo and arrested on a Westland bench warrant.

Court records are public under Michigan's FOIA law (MCL 15.231). Most case files are open. Bench warrant records are accessible once they are part of the case record. Some restrictions apply to juvenile cases, mental health proceedings, and sealed records. Active warrants may be restricted during ongoing investigations for safety reasons.

Resolving Westland Bench Warrants

The best move is to go to the 18th District Court at 36675 Ford Road during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. You will be arraigned and given a new court date. You may need to post bond. Some courts in Wayne County offer free attorney help at arraignment. Call ahead at (734) 595-8720 to ask what services are available at the 18th District Court.

An attorney can file a motion to quash the warrant. That asks the judge to recall it and schedule a new hearing without an arrest. This works well for older warrants and cases where there was a legitimate reason for missing court. Michigan Legal Aid offers free legal help to people with low income. The State Bar of Michigan referral line at (800) 968-0738 can connect you with a criminal defense lawyer in the Westland area.

• Turn yourself in at 36675 Ford Road, Westland
• Call (734) 595-8720 to ask about your options
• Hire a lawyer to file a motion to quash
• Post the bond amount listed on the warrant

The Wayne County Clerk's Records Division at (313) 224-5530 handles copies of court documents. Standard copies cost $1.50 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page and $1 for each page after. Mail requests need a money order for payment.

Nearby Cities

Westland is in western Wayne County near several other cities with their own district courts and bench warrant processes.