Access Waterford Township Court Records
Waterford Township court records are held by the 51st District Court, which serves this Oakland County community exclusively. The court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, civil cases, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes. You can search records through the township's court portal, Oakland County's Court Explorer, or MiCOURT. This guide explains how to find Waterford Township court records, what they include, and how to get copies.
Waterford Township Overview
Courts Serving Waterford Township
The 51st District Court serves Waterford Township exclusively. It is located at 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329, and can be reached at (248) 674-4655. Chief Judge Richard D. Kuhn Jr. presides over the court. The court handles criminal misdemeanors, traffic infractions, civil cases up to $25,000, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and felony preliminary examinations.
The 51st District Court is distinct from other Oakland County district courts in that it serves only Waterford Township rather than a group of communities. This means all district court records for Waterford Township cases are held in one place, which makes searching and obtaining copies more straightforward than in courts that serve multiple jurisdictions. Under MCR 8.119, all Michigan court records are presumed open to the public unless a specific statute or court order restricts access.
| 51st District Court | 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (248) 674-4655 |
| Chief Judge | Richard D. Kuhn Jr. |
| Serves | Waterford Township exclusively |
| 6th Circuit Court | 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI | (248) 858-0344 |
For felony cases, major civil suits over the district court threshold, and family law matters, those cases go to the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac. Oakland County Probate Court is also in Pontiac and handles estate, guardianship, and mental health proceedings for Waterford Township residents. If you need records from a felony or family law case tied to a Waterford Township address, check the 6th Circuit Court rather than the 51st District Court.
The 51st District Court runs several specialty programs that can affect how case records look and what is accessible. The Veterans Treatment Court serves military veterans whose criminal cases are connected to service-related issues. The Teen Court Program handles certain juvenile matters through a peer-based process. DWI/Drug Court provides an alternative to standard sentencing for qualifying cases. Cases in these programs may have longer records and different public access rules than standard cases. Contact the court at (248) 674-4655 to ask about access to records from these programs.
Search Waterford Township Court Records Online
The Waterford Township website has a dedicated portal for the 51st District Court at waterfordmi.gov/198/51st-District-Court. This page links to court resources, contact details, and online access tools specific to the 51st District Court. It is the township's official starting point for court-related information.
The 51st District Court page at waterfordmi.gov gives you direct access to court contact information, hours, and links to tools for searching and paying for Waterford Township court records.
The township's court portal links to resources for the 51st District Court, including online search tools and forms for common case types handled in Waterford Township.
The Waterford Township main website at waterfordmi.gov provides general township information and links to court services. This is a good starting point if you're looking for multiple township services at once or if you need directions to the Civic Center Drive location.
The Waterford Township homepage provides access to municipal services, including the 51st District Court department page with links to court records and other resources.
For an Oakland County-wide search covering all courts, use Court Explorer at courtexplorer.oakgov.com/OaklandCounty. This tool covers the 51st District Court, the 6th Circuit Court, and Oakland County Probate Court in one search. Under MCL 15.232, the public has a right to access and copy records held by Michigan courts. Under MCR 1.109, courts must maintain those records in a format that supports public access.
Oakland County Court Explorer returns results from all Oakland County courts, making it the most complete tool for searching Waterford Township records alongside circuit and probate case data.
For a statewide search, MiCOURT is free and covers district, circuit, and probate courts across Michigan. It returns party names, case numbers, filing dates, hearing dates, and case status. This is the best tool when you're not sure which court or county holds the records you need. Under MCL 600.880b, courts may waive fees for parties who cannot afford to pay copy costs or filing fees.
What Waterford Township Court Records Include
District court records from the 51st District Court cover the full range of lower court case types. A typical case file includes the original complaint or citation, any motions and responses, court orders, and the final disposition. Small claims files include the claim and the judgment. Landlord-tenant records show the complaint, any response, and the outcome of the hearing.
Misdemeanor criminal records include the charge, arraignment date, plea, any pre-trial orders, and the sentence. Traffic records show the citation and the outcome of any court appearance. If a case involved a DWI/Drug Court or Veterans Treatment Court program, there may be additional records tied to the program participation, including compliance records and program completion documentation. These records may have limited public access depending on the nature of the program.
Felony cases start with a preliminary examination at the 51st District Court before transferring to the 6th Circuit Court. This means some felony-related records appear at both court levels. For family law matters and estate proceedings, look at the 6th Circuit and Oakland County Probate Court in Pontiac. Juvenile records are restricted under Michigan law. Some domestic relations records have limited public access. Records sealed by court order are not available without a court order lifting the seal. Under MCR 1.109, courts must protect confidential material while keeping open records available for public inspection.
Waterford Township Court Record Fees
Copy fees at the 51st District Court follow standard Michigan rates. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 plus $1.00 per page. Transcript copies are $3.75 per page.
- Plain copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $10.00 plus $1.00 per page
- Transcript copies: $3.75 per page
You can pay at the clerk's window at 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford. Call (248) 674-4655 to confirm current fees before visiting or to ask about requesting copies by mail. Free Michigan court forms are at courts.michigan.gov/forms. Under MCL 600.880b, the court can reduce or waive fees for parties who show financial hardship. Ask the clerk about the fee waiver process if you think you qualify.
Legal Help in Waterford Township
If you need help with a case at the 51st District Court or need to find Waterford Township court records, several resources are available. The clerk's office at (248) 674-4655 can answer basic questions about procedures and fees.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides on small claims, landlord-tenant matters, traffic cases, and other case types the 51st District Court handles. The site explains how to file, what to bring to a hearing, and how to read a court order. Oakland County also has legal aid services for low-income residents with civil cases. The State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service at (800) 968-0738 can help you find an attorney for more complex matters. Veterans in the Veterans Treatment Court program may also have access to specialized legal support through the program itself.
For e-filing, use MiFILE, the state's electronic filing system for Michigan courts. Free court forms are at courts.michigan.gov/forms.
Oakland County Court Records
Waterford Township is in Oakland County. Circuit court and probate filings for Waterford Township residents go through the Oakland County court system in Pontiac. For county-wide court offices, fee schedules, contact info, and additional search options, visit the Oakland County court records page.
Nearby Cities
Looking for court records in other Michigan cities? These nearby qualifying cities also have dedicated court records pages.