- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
What are Michigan Court Records?
Michigan is the tenth-most populous state in the United States, with over 10 million residents. Its residents are served by a unified, three-level court system comprising the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Trial Courts. The state's court system handles at least two million new cases annually.
Michigan court records are official documents created or filed with the court following the state's Court Rules. Each court within the system maintains a detailed record of each case and any information generated during court proceedings. Court records for a particular case typically begin with a complaint (in civil cases) or an indictment (in criminal cases) and include the following:
Docket Sheet
This document provides a general overview of who is involved in a case and what actions they have taken. It also includes all materials filed in a court case in chronological order.
Judgment and Orders
This document contains the court's decision regarding each party's rights and liabilities in a case.
Transcripts
These are recordings of all the judge's decisions and the litigants' lawyers' spoken arguments. They are taken from an electronic recording of the proceedings or a real-time transcriber.
Evidence
Any evidence submitted to a case is filed for court records. This applies to physical and electronic evidence from either side. Parties may ask the judge to seal evidence in extenuating circumstances.
Court Minutes
This document summarizes a timeline of court events, including the beginning and end of the trial, special actions, and minute orders.
Pleadings
Pleadings are formal documents lawyers draft for the trial. They state each party's complaints, defenses, admissions, or other stances related to the case.
Types of Court Cases
Court cases in Michigan are broadly classified as civil or criminal cases. Although both types of cases share similarities, they differ in structure, burden of proof, and potential punishments.
Civil Cases
A civil case is a disagreement between two people or businesses. In Michigan, common types of civil cases include small claims, landlord-tenant issues, and civil damage claims. The process starts when the plaintiff files a complaint with the right court. This complaint lists the parties involved, describes the problem, and explains what the plaintiff wants.
In court, both sides present their arguments in a process called the adversarial process. Each side shares evidence to support their case. After hearing from both sides, the court makes a decision known as a civil judgment. Possible outcomes include paying fines, stopping certain activities, or fixing the issues that caused the dispute.
Criminal Cases
A criminal case starts when someone is accused of committing a crime. The government, through a prosecuting attorney, files a complaint against the accused person and calls the defendant. If the defendant is not already arrested, a warrant for their arrest will be issued when the complaint is filed. After an arrest, law enforcement will hold the defendant until a bond is set or an arraignment occurs.
During the arraignment, a district court judge or magistrate will explain the charges, the defendant's rights, and the possible outcomes if found guilty. The court will also decide whether the defendant can be released on bond and the bond amount. If a defendant cannot pay for an attorney, the court may provide one.
Criminal cases can end in several ways: through a bench trial (before a judge), a jury trial, a plea agreement, or dismissal. In court, the prosecuting attorney must prove that the defendant is guilty without a reasonable doubt. If the defendant is convicted, the court will set a date for sentencing. This will not happen if the defendant is found not guilty or if the case is dismissed. At sentencing, the judge will decide the punishment, which may include jail time, fines, or probation.
What Are the Different Courts in Michigan?
Michigan operates a unified court system with a Supreme Court, a Court of Appeals, and locally funded trial courts, all supervised by the Supreme Court through the State Court Administrative Office. The state judiciary budget was about $383.6 million in gross appropriations for fiscal year 2026, not counting county and municipal funding of the trial courts.
| Court Level | Court Name | Jurisdiction | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appellate | Supreme Court | Highest court; discretionary review statewide | Final decisions on state law, court rules, and administration of the judiciary |
| Appellate | Court of Appeals | Intermediate appellate court with four districts | Hears appeals of right from circuit and probate courts and from state agencies |
| General Jurisdiction | Circuit Court | 57 circuits; felonies and civil claims over $25,000 | Felony trials, major civil cases, family division matters, and appeals from district courts |
| Limited Jurisdiction | District Court | Misdemeanors, traffic, and civil claims up to $25,000 | Arraignments, preliminary examinations, small claims up to $6,500, landlord-tenant cases, and civil infractions |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Probate Court | 78 courts; estates, trusts, guardianships, and mental health | Wills, estate administration, conservatorships, and mental health commitments |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Court of Claims | Money damage claims against the State of Michigan and its agencies | Resolves civil claims against state agencies, heard by Court of Appeals judges |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Municipal Court | Limited local courts in a few Grosse Pointe cities | Ordinance violations, misdemeanors, and small civil claims in place of a district court |
How Many Federal Courts Are in Michigan?
Two Federal district courts serve Michigan, namely the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. These courts have jurisdiction over federal cases, civil and criminal, in the Michigan district they oversee. These courts also hear special cases under federal jurisdiction such as bankruptcy, patent, copyright, and admiralty law.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan has 15 judges, and the District Court for the Western District of Michigan has four judges. Each of these judges is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Decisions of the courts may be appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
How Many Court Cases Are Filed Each Year in Michigan?
Michigan trial courts received 2,956,664 new cases in 2024, led by traffic and civil infractions, and disposed of 2,923,626 for an overall clearance rate of about 99%. Counts below are statewide trial court filings grouped into mutually exclusive categories.
| Case Type | Annual Filings | % of Total | Common Offense/Subtype | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic | 1,772,233 | 59.9% | Civil infractions such as speeding and parking, plus traffic misdemeanors like OWI and driving on a suspended license | 101% |
| Criminal | 371,596 | 12.6% | Felonies and non-traffic misdemeanors such as assault, drug offenses, and theft | 101% |
| Civil | 567,928 | 19.2% | Contract disputes, landlord-tenant cases, tort claims, and collections | 90% |
| Small Claims | 28,444 | 1.0% | Claims up to $6,500 such as unpaid debts and property damage | 102% |
| Domestic Relations | 118,366 | 4.0% | Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and personal protection orders | 100% |
| Juvenile | 24,713 | 0.8% | Delinquency proceedings involving minors | 101% |
| Other | 73,384 | 2.5% | Estates, trusts, guardianships, mental health petitions, and appeals | 98% |
| Total | 2,956,664 | 100% | — | 99% |
How Do I Look UP Court Cases in Michigan?
Residents of Michigan can look up court cases handled in the state using the statewide MICourt case search portal. The portal contains case information on civil, traffic, criminal, domestic, and probate matters held in trial courts across the state.
Those seeking access to Michigan Supreme Court case information and opinions may visit the Supreme Court website. Michigan court records that are not online can be accessed by visiting the courthouse where the case was handled. The court clerk maintains a repository for court records at their office. Interested persons may visit the clerk's office of the appropriate court to view court records. Those who do not live close to the specific court may contact the court clerk via telephone to find alternative access options to obtain court records.
Interested persons can access Michigan federal court records using the federal court case locator. Alternatively, they may contact the appropriate court clerk's office via telephone. The clerk's office telephone number is available on each of the Michigan federal district court websites. Interested persons may also visit the office in person to view records.
Number of Active Judges — State & Federal
Michigan's state judges serve on the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and county and local trial courts, while federal judges sit in two district courts. Counts below are sitting judges, with the small municipal court count estimated.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Active Judges | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Highest appellate court statewide | 7 | Nominated by political parties and elected statewide on a nonpartisan ballot to eight-year terms |
| Court of Appeals | Intermediate appellate court statewide | 25 | Elected by district on a nonpartisan ballot to six-year terms |
| Circuit Court | General jurisdiction trial court for felonies, major civil, and family cases | 223 | Elected on a nonpartisan ballot to six-year terms, with vacancies filled by the Governor |
| District Court | Misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, and civil claims up to $25,000 | 232 | Elected on a nonpartisan ballot to six-year terms, with vacancies filled by the Governor |
| Probate Court | Estates, trusts, guardianships, and mental health matters | 104 | Elected on a nonpartisan ballot to six-year terms, with vacancies filled by the Governor |
| Municipal Court | Local ordinance and misdemeanor cases in Grosse Pointe communities | ~4 | Elected locally to four-year terms |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan | Federal civil and criminal cases in Detroit, Flint, and Bay City | 15 | Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, serving for life |
| U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan | Federal civil and criminal cases in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Marquette | 4 | Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, serving for life |
| Total Active Judges | — | ~614 | — |
What Court Records Are Not Available to the Public in Michigan?
Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119(E), most court records are open to the public and can be requested. However, some records are not available for public viewing. These include:
- Mediation records
- Jury questionnaires
- Grand jury information
- Drug court participation records
- Crime victim addresses and phone numbers
- Infectious disease testing results
- Search warrants (for at least 65 days after they are issued)
- Adoption records
- Waivers of parental consent for abortions
- Wills filed for safekeeping
Average Case Processing Time & Clearance Rates
Processing times in Michigan vary by case type, from a few weeks for civil infractions to a year or more for contested civil and family cases. Times below are estimated from state time guidelines and caseload patterns, and clearance rates come from 2024 trial court data.
| Case Type | Court Level | Average Processing Time | Description | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic & Parking | Limited Jurisdiction | ~1–2 months | Civil infractions are usually resolved by payment or an informal hearing before a magistrate or judge | 101% |
| Small Claims | Limited Jurisdiction | ~2–3 months | Informal hearings with no jury and a decision issued at or shortly after the hearing | 102% |
| Misdemeanor Criminal | Limited Jurisdiction | ~3–6 months | Arraignment, pretrial conference, then a plea, dismissal, or trial in district court | 101% |
| Civil Cases | General Jurisdiction | ~12–18 months | Case evaluation and discovery precede settlement or trial, with most cases resolved before trial | 90% |
| Domestic Relations | General Jurisdiction | ~6–12 months | Divorces with minor children carry a six-month waiting period, while contested custody and support cases take longer | 100% |
| Felony Criminal | General Jurisdiction | ~6–9 months | District court arraignment and preliminary examination, then circuit court plea negotiation or trial | 101% |