Iosco County Bench Warrant Search

Bench warrants in Iosco County are processed through the 23rd Circuit Court and the 81st District Court, both at the Iosco County Building in Tawas City. The 23rd Circuit is one of the largest judicial circuits in Michigan, covering Iosco along with Alcona, Arenac, and Oscoda Counties. If you need to check for an active bench warrant in Iosco County, you can use the MiCOURT search tool, call the court clerk, or contact the Iosco County Sheriff's Office. This page covers every step of the search process and what to do if a warrant comes up.

Iosco County Court System and Warrants

The 23rd Circuit Court in Iosco County handles felony criminal cases, civil suits over $25,000, and family law matters. Hon. David C. Riffel presides over the circuit. The court is at the Iosco County Building, 422 West Lake Street, P.O. Box 609, Tawas City, MI 48764. Phone: (989) 984-1056. The assignment clerk is Cheryl Southworth at (989) 362-3485. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

When someone misses a felony hearing or violates probation in Iosco County, Judge Riffel issues a bench warrant from the bench. The clerk records it in the case file and enters the warrant into the LEIN database. Once it is in LEIN, any officer in Michigan can see it and make an arrest. These warrants do not expire.

The 81st District Court covers misdemeanor crimes, traffic violations, civil cases up to $25,000, and landlord-tenant disputes. The court also handles felony arraignments and preliminary exams. The 81st District issues all arrest and search warrants for Iosco County. Magistrate Shannon Wickham handles many of these proceedings. Phone: (989) 362-4441. The probation office is in Room 116 of the Iosco County Building.

How to Search for Iosco County Bench Warrants

The MiCOURT Case Search portal is free and open to anyone. Select the 23rd Circuit Court or 81st District Court, enter a name or case number, and review the results. Docket entries may show notes like "bench warrant issued" or "failure to appear." This gives you a good starting point, but the system shows case history and not always live warrant status.

For the most current info, contact the Iosco County Sheriff's Office. They maintain all warrants for Iosco County through their control center. Call (989) 362-6164 or email Sheriff Scott D. Frank at sfrank@ioscocounty.org. The sheriff's office is at 428 West Lake Street, Tawas City, MI 48764. They can verify if a bench warrant is active and tell you the bond amount.

Iosco County Sheriff's Office

The Iosco County Sheriff's Office provides warrant verification, arrest records, background checks, and sex offender registry info. Sheriff Scott D. Frank oversees operations. The office handles civil process and maintains the most wanted list for the county.

If you plan to turn yourself in on a bench warrant, the sheriff's office is one option. Call first to find out the bond amount and what court issued the warrant. Some people choose to go directly to the court during business hours instead. Either way, handling it on your own terms beats an unexpected arrest.

Bench Warrant Laws in Iosco County

Under MCL 764.1, Michigan judges can issue warrants based on probable cause. A bench warrant comes from the court's authority to enforce its own orders. Missing a hearing or breaking probation gives the judge cause to sign one. Under MCL 764.15, any peace officer in the state can execute the warrant.

Court records in Iosco County are public under Michigan's FOIA, MCL 15.231. Anyone can request case files from the clerk's office. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page. Some records are restricted, such as juvenile cases, but most bench warrant records are open to the public.

The Iosco County Prosecutor's Office works with the courts on criminal cases that produce bench warrants. Their role includes filing charges and requesting warrants when needed.

Resolving an Iosco County Bench Warrant

Your options for clearing a bench warrant in Iosco County include turning yourself in at the court, posting bond, or hiring a lawyer to file a motion to quash. The court must also provide a lawyer if you cannot afford one and face criminal charges.

• Visit the 23rd Circuit Court or 81st District Court during walk-in hours
• Call the court clerk to ask about bond amounts and procedures
• Hire a criminal defense attorney to file a motion to quash
• Post the bond amount listed on the warrant at the sheriff's office

The Michigan Legal Help website has free forms and guides. The State Bar of Michigan referral service at (800) 968-0738 can connect you with a lawyer in the Tawas City area.

Nearby Counties

Iosco County is in northeast Lower Michigan along Lake Huron. These neighboring counties share some court resources.