Michigan Circuit Courts

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.^[1]^[2] General division and then family division.^[1]^[2]

Organization

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] Michigan has 83 counties, so some circuit courts cover several counties. So judges elected in multicounty 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

paternity, and personal protection orders.^[1]^[2]

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

Court	County	Number of Judges	Source
1st Circuit	Hillsdale	1	Court Website
2nd Circuit	Berrien	13
3rd Circuit	Wayne	61
4th Circuit	Jackson	4
5th Circuit	Barry	2
6th Circuit	Oakland	18
7th Circuit	Genesee	9
8th Circuit	Montcalm and Ionia	2
9th Circuit	Kalamazoo	5
10th Circuit	Saginaw	5
11th Circuit	Luce, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, and Alger	1
12th Circuit	Houghton, Baraga and Keweenaw	1
13th Circuit	Leelanau, Antrim and Grand Traverse	2
14th Circuit	Muskegon	4
15th Circuit	Branch	2
16th Circuit	Macomb	12
17th Circuit	Kent	10
18th Circuit	Bay	3
19th Circuit	Benzie, Manistee	1
20th Circuit	Ottawa	4
21st Circuit	Isabella	2
22nd Circuit	Washtenaw	5
23rd Circuit	Iosco, Arenac, Alcona, Oscoda	3
24th Circuit	Sanilac	1
25th Circuit	Marquette	2
26th Circuit	Alpena, Montmorency	1
27th Circuit	Oceana, Newaygo	2
28th Circuit	Wexford, Missaukee	1
29th Circuit	Gratiot, Clinton	2
30th Circuit	Ingham	7
31st Circuit	St. Clair	3
32nd Circuit	Ontonagon, Gogebic	2
33rd Circuit	Charlevoix	1
34th Circuit	Ogemaw, Roscommon	1
35th Circuit	Shiawassee	1
36th Circuit	Van Buren	3
37th Circuit	Calhoun	4
38th Circuit	Monroe	3
39th Circuit	Lenawee	2
40th Circuit	Lapeer	2
41st Circuit	Iron, Dickinson, Menominee	3
42nd Circuit	Midland	2
43rd Circuit	Cass	1
44th Circuit	Livingston	2
45th Circuit	St. Joseph	1
46th Circuit	Otsego, Crawford, Kalkaska	2
47th Circuit	Delta	1
48th Circuit	Allegan	2
49th Circuit	Osceola, Mecosta	2
50th Circuit	Chippewa	1
51st Circuit	Mason, Lake	3
52nd Circuit	Huron	1
53rd Circuit	Cheboygan, Presque Isle	1
54th Circuit	Tuscola	1
55th Circuit	Clare, Gladwin	2
56th Circuit	Eaton	3
57th Circuit	Emmet	1

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ "Trial Courts: Michigan has three trial courts-Circuit, district, and probate". www.courts.michigan.gov. 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o "Michigan Trial Courts" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2023.

External links

Michigan Courts at Mi.Gov

[:0-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ "Trial Courts: Michigan has three trial courts-Circuit, district, and probate". www.courts.michigan.gov. 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-18.

[:1-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o "Michigan Trial Courts" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2023.

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