Cheboygan County Bench Warrants

Bench warrants in Cheboygan County are issued by the 53rd Circuit Court and the 89th District Court, both located at 870 S. Main Street in Cheboygan. These courts handle felony and misdemeanor cases for the county. If you miss a court date or fail to follow a court order in Cheboygan County, a judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. You can search for case records tied to bench warrants through the state MiCOURT system or by calling the court clerk and sheriff offices. The county seat is Cheboygan, and the courts share a judicial circuit with Presque Isle County. This page covers where to look for Cheboygan County bench warrant records and what steps to take if one is active.

Cheboygan County Circuit Court Warrants

The 53rd Circuit Court handles all felony cases and civil matters over $25,000 in Cheboygan County. Chief Judge Aaron J. Gauthier presides over the court. This is the same circuit that covers Presque Isle County, so the judge splits time between both locations. Bench warrants from Circuit Court usually come from missed felony hearings, broken probation terms, or ignored court orders. The court sits at 870 S. Main Street in Cheboygan. You can reach the clerk at (231) 627-8818. Court Administrator Dawn Reo manages day-to-day operations and can be reached at ddm@cheboygancounty.net.

When a bench warrant is issued by the 53rd Circuit Court, it goes into the LEIN system. That means any law enforcement officer in Michigan can see it during a traffic stop or other contact. The warrant stays active with no end date until the person shows up in court or a judge pulls it back. Felony bench warrants from Circuit Court tend to carry higher bond amounts than those from District Court.

89th District Court Bench Warrants

The 89th District Court in Cheboygan County handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and small claims. Judge Michael J. Ekdahl hears cases at 870 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 70, Cheboygan, MI 49721. You can call the court at (231) 627-8809 or fax at (231) 627-8853. The email for the court is d89@cheboygancounty.net.

The Cheboygan County bench warrant screenshot below shows the 89th District Court page with contact details and court information for the county.

Most bench warrants from District Court come from missed hearings on misdemeanor cases, unpaid fines, or traffic violations that went to court. The district court is where all criminal cases start. Felony charges get their first hearing here before moving up to Circuit Court. If you skip an arraignment or a preliminary exam, the judge can issue a bench warrant right away.

District Court bench warrants in Cheboygan County often carry a set bond amount. You may be able to post bond at the jail to get released, then come back for your hearing. Call the court to ask about bond amounts before turning yourself in.

How to Search Cheboygan County Warrants

The main online tool for looking up Cheboygan County bench warrant records is the MiCOURT Case Search portal. This free system lets you search by name or case number. Pick the 53rd Circuit Court or 89th District Court from the list and enter the person's name. The results show case status, hearing dates, and docket entries. Look for notes about bench warrants or failure to appear in the case history.

MiCOURT does not show live warrant status. It shows case records that may include warrant entries. For real-time info on whether a warrant is active, you need to call the court or sheriff. The Cheboygan County website has links to court and law enforcement pages with phone numbers and hours.

The screenshot below shows the Cheboygan County government website, which provides links to court and sheriff departments for bench warrant searches.

You can also check with the sheriff by calling (231) 627-3155. Sheriff Timothy C. Cook runs the office at the County Building, 870 S. Main St., Cheboygan. They can tell you if a warrant is active and what the bond amount is. For in-person warrant checks, bring a valid photo ID to the sheriff's office or the court clerk.

Bench Warrant Laws in Cheboygan County

Bench warrants in Cheboygan County follow Michigan state law. Under MCL 764.1, courts have the power to issue warrants when there is cause. Judges issue bench warrants when someone fails to appear in court, breaks probation, or does not follow a court order. These warrants do not expire. They stay in the system until resolved.

Under MCL 764.15, any peace officer in Michigan can carry out a bench warrant. That means you can be arrested anywhere in the state, not just in Cheboygan County. Officers check the LEIN database during traffic stops. If a warrant shows up, they must act on it.

Court records in Cheboygan County are public under Michigan Court Rule 8.119 and the Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231). You can request copies of court files that include bench warrant documents. The clerk charges a fee per page. Certified copies cost more.

Resolving Cheboygan County Bench Warrants

If you have a bench warrant in Cheboygan County, deal with it before you get picked up. Call the court that issued the warrant to find out what you need to do. For Circuit Court warrants, call (231) 627-8818. For District Court, call (231) 627-8809. Ask about the bond amount and whether you can turn yourself in during regular hours.

Hiring a lawyer can help. An attorney can file a motion to quash the warrant, which asks the judge to cancel it and set a new hearing date. This is especially useful for old warrants or cases where you had a good reason for missing court. The Cheboygan County Prosecuting Attorney's office handles the state's side of criminal cases.

You may also be able to post bond at the Cheboygan County jail to get the warrant cleared. The sheriff's office at (231) 627-3155 can give you bond details. Once you post bond, the court will set a new hearing date. Show up for that date or you will get another warrant.

Court Records and Fees in Cheboygan

The Cheboygan County Clerk keeps all Circuit Court records. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through the MiCOURT portal for basic info. Regular copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page plus $1 for each extra page. You need to know the case number or the person's full name to find records.

The 89th District Court handles its own records for misdemeanor and traffic cases. Call (231) 627-8809 for District Court records. The Michigan Courts website has forms and general information about court record access across the state.

Nearby Counties

Cheboygan County shares the 53rd Circuit Court with Presque Isle County. If a case involves both counties, records may appear under either jurisdiction. Here are the counties near Cheboygan:

• Presque Isle County (shares 53rd Circuit Court)
• Emmet County
• Otsego County
• Montmorency County