Michigan Circuit Courts

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Circuit courts are the trial courts with the broadest powers in Michigan. [1] [2] In Michigan, circuit courts handle all felony criminal cases that could result in confinement to prison. [1] [2] They also deal with all civil cases for claims in excess of $25,000.00. [1] [2] There are 57 circuit courts in the state of Michigan. [1] [2] Judges are elected for six-year terms. [1] [2] In Michigan, circuit courts are divided into two divisions: general division and family division. [1] [2]

Contents

Organization

Michigan judicial circuit map.png

As of 2023, there are 57 judicial circuits that are set by the legislature. [1] [2] The number of judges in each circuit is set by the legislature. [2] Since Michigan has 83 counties, some circuit courts cover several counties; judges elected in multi-county circuits must travel from one county to another to hold court. [2]

To be eligible to be elected as a circuit court judge in Michigan, the person must be a qualified elector, a resident of the judicial circuit, a member of the Michigan Bar in good standing, and under the age of 70 years old. [2]

Family Division

The family division of the circuit court has exclusive jurisdiction over all family matters in the circuit, including adoptions, child support, custody, divorce, juvenile proceedings, name changes, parenting time, paternity, and personal protection orders. [1] [2]

Business Courts

By statute, Michigan established business court dockets within all circuit courts having three or more judges. The statute lists case types of a business or commercial nature that fall within the business court's jurisdiction, as well as case types falling outside the business court's jurisdiction. There are currently 17 circuit courts with business court dockets, each of which is required to have a local administrative order addressing procedures in its business court. [3] [4] The business court judges in these circuits have issued hundreds of written opinions since the business court's inception. [5] [6] The Michigan judicial institute is required to provide training to the business court judges. [7] The Michigan Bar Journal has a regular column addressing developments and practice in Michigan's business courts, Touring the Business Courts. [8]

History

In 1833, all the county courts in all counties in the territory of Michigan except Wayne were abolished and replaced by one circuit court of the territory of Michigan. [2] In 1836, the state was divided into 3 circuits. The 1850 Michigan Constitution made the office of circuit court judges elected officials and set the term of office to six (6) years. [2]

In 1908, the Constitution provided for judicial circuits which are drawn around county lines. [2]

List

List of Circuit Courts

CourtCountyNumber of JudgesCourthouse location(s)ImageSource
1st CircuitHillsdale1 Court Website
2nd CircuitBerrien13
3rd Circuit Wayne61
4th CircuitJackson4
5th CircuitBarry2
6th CircuitOakland18
7th CircuitGenesee9
8th CircuitMontcalm and Ionia2
9th CircuitKalamazoo5
10th CircuitSaginaw5
11th CircuitLuce, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, and Alger1
12th CircuitHoughton, Baraga and Keweenaw1
13th CircuitLeelanau, Antrim and Grand Traverse2
14th CircuitMuskegon4
15th CircuitBranch2
16th CircuitMacomb12
17th CircuitKent10
18th CircuitBay3
19th CircuitBenzie, Manistee1
20th CircuitOttawa4
21st CircuitIsabella2
22nd CircuitWashtenaw5
23rd CircuitIosco, Arenac, Alcona, Oscoda3
24th CircuitSanilac1
25th CircuitMarquette2
26th CircuitAlpena, Montmorency1
27th CircuitOceana, Newaygo2
28th CircuitWexford, Missaukee1
29th CircuitGratiot, Clinton2
30th CircuitIngham7
31st CircuitSt. Clair3
32nd CircuitOntonagon, Gogebic2
33rd CircuitCharlevoix1
34th CircuitOgemaw, Roscommon1
35th CircuitShiawassee1
36th CircuitVan Buren3
37th CircuitCalhoun4
38th CircuitMonroe3
39th CircuitLenawee2
40th CircuitLapeer2
41st CircuitIron, Dickinson, Menominee3
42nd CircuitMidland2
43rd CircuitCass1
44th CircuitLivingston2
45th CircuitSt. Joseph1
46th CircuitOtsego, Crawford, Kalkaska2
47th CircuitDelta1
48th CircuitAllegan2
49th CircuitOsceola, Mecosta2
50th CircuitChippewa1
51st CircuitMason, Lake3
52nd CircuitHuron1
53rd CircuitCheboygan, Presque Isle1
54th CircuitTuscola1
55th CircuitClare, Gladwin2
56th CircuitEaton3
57th CircuitEmmet1

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Trial Courts: Michigan has three trial courts-Circuit, district, and probate". www.courts.michigan.gov. 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Michigan Trial Courts" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  3. "State of Michigan, 96th Legislature, Regular Session of 2012, Act No. 333". October 16, 2012.
  4. "Michigan Courts, Business Courts". www.courts.michigan.gov. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  5. "Business Courts Search". www.courts.michigan.gov. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  6. "Kent County, Michigan, Specialized Business Court Docket, Opinions". www.accesskent.com. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  7. "MCL 600.8043, Judges; training".
  8. "Journal & e-Newsletter - Business Law Section". connect.michbar.org. Retrieved 2024-06-30.