Search Alger County Bench Warrants
Alger County bench warrants are handled by the 11th Circuit Court and the 93rd District Court in Munising. Both courts sit inside the Alger County Courthouse at 101 Court Street. If you need to search for a bench warrant here, you can use the free MiCOURT online tool, call the sheriff, or visit the courthouse. This page explains how bench warrants work in Alger County and where to find the records you need.
Alger County Quick Facts
Alger County Courts and Bench Warrants
The 11th Circuit Court in Alger County handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $25,000, and family matters. It operates from the Alger County Courthouse at 101 Court Street, Munising. Call (906) 387-7053 to reach the circuit court clerk. This court issues bench warrants for serious offenses when a defendant fails to appear for a scheduled hearing.
The 93rd District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, and civil cases up to $25,000. It shares space with Schoolcraft County, so some records may overlap between the two counties. The district court phone number is (906) 387-3879. Most criminal cases in Alger County start at the district court level. When someone misses an arraignment or a pretrial date, the judge can issue a bench warrant on the spot.
Alger County also has a 5th District Probate Court that handles juvenile and probate matters. The probate register is Kristine M. Dausey, reachable at (906) 387-2080. Bench warrants from probate cases, such as those tied to child support, go through this office.
Note: The 93rd District Court is shared with Schoolcraft County, so a bench warrant search may return results from either county.
How to Find Bench Warrants in Alger County
The MiCOURT Case Search portal is the main online tool for looking up bench warrants in Alger County. It is free and open to the public. Select the 11th Circuit Court or 93rd District Court, then type in a name or case number. The system pulls up docket entries and case status. Look for terms like "bench warrant issued" or "FTA" (failure to appear) in the results.
MiCOURT does not show live warrant status. Courts may take a day or two to update records. For the most current information, contact the sheriff or court clerk directly.
Other ways to check for Alger County bench warrants include calling the Alger County Sheriff's Office at (906) 387-4444. Sheriff Todd Brock and his staff can confirm if a bench warrant is active. You can also visit the courthouse in person at 101 Court Street, Munising, during business hours. Bring a valid ID if you plan to ask about records in person.
Alger County Court Search Tools
The Alger County government website provides links to all county departments including the courts and clerk.
From the main portal you can find phone numbers, office hours, and directions to the Munising courthouse.
The 11th Circuit Court page on the county website has information about court procedures and contact details.
Circuit court records include felony bench warrants and civil contempt warrants issued in Alger County.
The Alger County Sheriff's Office handles warrant enforcement and can verify active bench warrants over the phone.
Call the sheriff at (906) 387-4444 for the quickest way to confirm bench warrant status in Alger County.
Bench Warrant Laws Affecting Alger County
Judges in Alger County follow Michigan state law when issuing bench warrants. Under MCL 764.1, warrants need probable cause. A bench warrant comes from the court's power to enforce its own orders. Missing a court date or breaking a probation term in Alger County can trigger one.
Under MCL 764.15, any police officer in Michigan can serve a bench warrant from Alger County. The warrant gets entered into LEIN, so it shows up during traffic stops across the state. Alger County sits in the Upper Peninsula, but a bench warrant issued here is valid everywhere in Michigan.
Court records in Michigan are generally open to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231. Michigan Court Rule 8.119 sets the rules for public access. Most bench warrant records are available once they are part of a case file. Juvenile cases and sealed records are the main exceptions.
Clearing a Bench Warrant in Alger County
Turning yourself in is the best option. Go to the Alger County Courthouse at 101 Court Street in Munising during regular hours. The clerk can walk you through the process. You will likely need to see a judge or post bond.
A lawyer can help you file a motion to quash the warrant. This asks the judge to cancel it and set a new court date. That route works well if the warrant is old or if you had a good reason for missing court. The Michigan Courts website has self-help resources and legal aid contacts for people in the Upper Peninsula.
Important: Bench warrants in Alger County do not expire. They remain active until the court resolves them or you get arrested.
Alger County Record Request Fees
Checking if a bench warrant is active is usually free. Just call the sheriff or court clerk. If you need copies of court records, standard fees apply. Most Michigan courts charge about $1 per page for copies. Certified copies cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each extra page. A criminal name search is typically $10.
The Alger County contact page lists phone numbers for all departments. Reach the courts at (906) 387-2076 ext. 2 for questions about fees or record requests.
Nearby Counties
These Upper Peninsula counties border Alger County and share some court resources: