Search Grand Traverse County Bench Warrants

Grand Traverse County bench warrants are issued by the 13th Circuit Court and the 86th District Court in Traverse City, the county seat. This is one of the more populated counties in northern Michigan with about 95,000 residents. The 13th Circuit also covers Antrim and Leelanau counties. Bench warrants here get issued for missed court dates, broken probation, and failure to follow court orders. You can search for case records through MiCOURT, or contact the courts and sheriff directly. Traverse City is a regional hub, so the court system handles a high caseload compared to other northern counties. This page covers where to find Grand Traverse County bench warrant records and what steps to take.

13th Circuit Court Bench Warrants

The 13th Circuit Court serves Grand Traverse, Antrim, and Leelanau counties. The court is at 328 Washington Street, Suite 300, Traverse City, MI 49684. Phone is (231) 922-4701. Email is c13court@13thcircuitcourt.org. Circuit Judges Kevin A. Elsenheimer and Charles M. Hamlyn preside. Court Administrator Trina Girardin manages daily operations.

Circuit Court bench warrants in Grand Traverse County come from felony failures to appear, probation violations, and contempt of court. Because the circuit covers three counties, a bench warrant from the 13th Circuit may have originated from a case in Antrim or Leelanau County but be served anywhere. The warrant enters LEIN and stays active indefinitely.

For court records, contact the clerk at (231) 922-4701 or visit the 13th Circuit Court website. Standard copy fees apply. The MiCOURT portal has case records for free online lookup.

86th District Court Warrants

The 86th District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, small claims, and preliminary felony exams for Grand Traverse County. The court is in Traverse City. Most bench warrants in the county come from this court. Missed hearings on misdemeanor charges, unpaid traffic fines, and skipped arraignments all lead to bench warrants.

The District Court sets bail on warrants. Call the court to find out the bond amount before turning yourself in. You may be able to post bond and schedule a new hearing date rather than sitting in jail.

Grand Traverse County has a higher volume of cases than many northern Michigan counties due to its population and the seasonal tourist traffic in the area. The court deals with a range of offenses from DUI to retail fraud to domestic issues.

How to Search Grand Traverse Warrants

The MiCOURT Case Search is the best online tool. Select the 13th Circuit Court or 86th District Court and search by name or case number. The results show case history, hearing dates, and docket entries. Bench warrant entries appear in the register of actions. This is free and works around the clock.

For real-time warrant verification, contact the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff can confirm whether a warrant is active and what the bond amount is. You need a full legal name and date of birth. For in-person checks, bring a government-issued photo ID.

The Traverse City Police Department also operates in the area. All law enforcement agencies check LEIN during traffic stops, and active bench warrants show up immediately. Local bar associations in the Grand Traverse area can provide attorney referrals for warrant resolution.

Resolving Grand Traverse County Warrants

Contact the court that issued the warrant. For Circuit Court, call (231) 922-4701. For District Court, call during business hours. Ask about the bond and how to appear voluntarily. An attorney can file a motion to quash the warrant.

Michigan bench warrants do not expire. Under MCL 764.1, judges have broad authority to issue warrants. Under MCL 764.15, any peace officer in Michigan can execute them. Handle it voluntarily rather than waiting to be picked up.

Court records in Grand Traverse County are public under Michigan Court Rule 8.119. You can request copies of case files through the court clerk at the Traverse City courthouse. Regular copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies are $10 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page. The clerk can also help you find specific case numbers if you only have a name. For basic info, the MiCOURT portal is free and does not require any registration.

Nearby Counties

Grand Traverse County is in northwest Lower Michigan. Neighboring counties include:

• Leelanau County (shares 13th Circuit Court)
• Antrim County (shares 13th Circuit Court)
• Benzie County
• Kalkaska County
• Wexford County