Clinton County, MI Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The 29th Judicial Circuit Court serves Clinton County as its circuit trial court for felonies and larger civil cases. District Court and Probate Court also serve county residents, each with its own case types.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Clinton County Circuit Court (29th Judicial Circuit) |
| Records Office | County Clerk, who is the Clerk of the Circuit Court and keeps Circuit Court records |
| Handles | Circuit Court: felonies, larger civil claims, appeals from District and Probate Courts, and Family Division matters; District Court: misdemeanors, traffic and ordinance violations, preliminary examinations for felonies, smaller civil claims, small claims, and landlord-tenant cases; Probate Court: estates, trusts, guardianships, and mental health matters |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for Michigan), parking tickets (issuing agency), and claims against the state (Michigan Court of Claims) |
| Online Case Search | Statewide court information at courts.michigan.gov; this is not a county-specific search |
| Criminal Records Requests | Contact the County Clerk's office, which keeps Circuit Court criminal records |
How to Search Clinton County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if known, and approximate dates ready before you search. Circuit Court records are kept by the County Clerk, while District and Probate Courts keep their own records.
Online
Go to courts.michigan.gov for statewide court links and information.
Check the County Clerk's official website for any county case search.
Expect online results to show limited case information only.
Best for: Finding statewide court links and case leads
In Person
Go to the County Clerk's office at the county courthouse.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which court holds your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call the County Clerk using the number on the county's official website.
Ask what the clerk needs for your request before you visit.
Confirm any copy fees with the clerk before requesting copies.
Best for: Confirming a request before visiting in person
Search by Name on MichiganCourts.org
Go to MichiganCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Clinton County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
Clinton County courts received 15,918 new cases in CY 2025 and disposed of 14,194, a clearance rate of 89.2%. Filings rose 6.1% from 15,007 in CY 2024.
15,918
Total filings in CY 2025
14,194
Total dispositions in CY 2025
~3,980
Filings per judicial position (4 estimated positions)
+6.1%
Change in total filings vs CY 2024
| Metric | CY 2025 | CY 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 15,918 | 15,007 | +6.1% |
| Total Dispositions | 14,194 | 13,491 | +5.2% |
| Criminal Filings | 2,928 | 2,762 | +6.0% |
| Civil Filings | 3,665 | 3,393 | +8.0% |
| Family Law Filings | 624 | 627 | -0.5% |
| Probate Filings | 323 | 332 | -2.7% |
| Mental Health Filings | 78 | 100 | -22.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | 153 | 178 | -14.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~4 | ~4 | ~+0.0% |
The largest movement was in civil filings (3,393 to 3,665); the total also includes 8,147 civil infraction and parking filings; rows marked ~ are estimates.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Clinton County?
Total filings in Clinton County rose 33.4% between CY 2021 and CY 2025, from 11,933 to 15,918.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2025 | 15,918 | 14,194 | +6.1% |
| CY 2024 | 15,007 | 13,491 | +13.8% |
| CY 2023 | 13,186 | 11,917 | -6.0% |
| CY 2022 | 14,022 | 12,901 | +17.5% |
| CY 2021 | 11,933 | 10,816 | ~+10.5% |
Total filings rose 33.4% over five years, from 11,933 in CY 2021 to 15,918 in CY 2025. The largest annual change was +17.5% in CY 2022. The latest change of +6.1% was driven by civil filings, and dispositions were 14,194 against 15,918 filings.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Clinton County?
Civil cases are the largest category in Clinton County, at 47.2% of filings in CY 2025.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 2,928 | 37.7% | +6.0% |
| Civil | 3,665 | 47.2% | +8.0% |
| Family law | 624 | 8.0% | -0.5% |
| Probate | 323 | 4.2% | -2.7% |
| Juvenile | 153 | 2.0% | -14.0% |
| Mental health | 78 | 1.0% | -22.0% |
Civil cases grew fastest (+8.0%) and mental health cases fell fastest (-22.0%); rows marked ~ are estimates.
How Does Clinton County Compare With Michigan Overall?
Clinton County accounts for 0.43% of the 3,677,054 cases filed in Michigan courts in CY 2025, with 0.79% of the state's population.
| Metric | Clinton County | Michigan | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 15,918 | 3,677,054 | 0.43% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | +6.1% | +7.9% | Lower than state |
| Filings per judicial position | ~3,980 | ~6,531 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~3,548 | ~5,493 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Criminal share of filings | 18.4% | 25.3% | Below state |
| Civil share of filings | 23.0% | 23.8% | Below state |
| Family law share of filings | 3.9% | 3.8% | Above state |
Clinton County files cases at a lower rate per resident than Michigan (197.9 against 363.1 per 1,000), and its filings rose 6.1% against +7.9% statewide. Its criminal and civil shares of filings are both below the state's; rows marked ~ are estimates.
Clinton County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Michigan statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Clinton County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 8.7% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 97.3% of Michigan's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
42,285
Violent crimes, Michigan statewide, 2025
127,513
Property crimes, Michigan statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
417.5
Violent crime rate per 100K, Michigan statewide, 2025 (population 10,127,884)
-8.7%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Michigan statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (169,798 vs 185,956)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 442 | 4.4 | 492 | -10.2% |
| Rape | 5,446 | 53.8 | 5,777 | -5.7% |
| Robbery | 2,692 | 26.6 | 3,173 | -15.2% |
| Aggravated assault | 33,705 | 332.8 | 34,537 | -2.4% |
| Violent crimes total | 42,285 | 417.5 | 43,979 | -3.9% |
| Burglary | 15,726 | 155.3 | 19,316 | -18.6% |
| Larceny-theft | 92,281 | 911.2 | 97,850 | -5.7% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 18,406 | 181.7 | 23,544 | -21.8% |
| Property crimes total | 127,513 | 1259.0 | 141,977 | -10.2% |
Rates use the Michigan 2025 population of 10,127,884. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Clinton County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Clinton County Courthouse Locations
Clinton County court proceedings are held at the Clinton County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton County Courthouse | 100 E. State St., St. Johns, MI 48879 | 989-224-5100 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Clinton County?
In Clinton County, the court depends on the type of case, and matters outside the courts are handled by the agency or federal court involved.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court | Traffic and ordinance violations are heard in District Court; check your ticket for the court date. |
| Parking ticket | The agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by the courts. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court | District Court hears misdemeanors and holds preliminary examinations for felonies. |
| Felony | Circuit Court | Circuit Court tries felonies after a preliminary examination in District Court. |
| DUI | District Court or Circuit Court | The court depends on the charge, so check the charge on your paperwork. |
| Domestic violence | District Court or Circuit Court | The court depends on the charge, so check your paperwork and contact the court that holds the case. |
| Civil lawsuit | Circuit Court or District Court | Circuit Court hears larger civil claims, and District Court hears smaller claims within its limit. |
| Small claims | District Court, Small Claims Division | Small claims are heard in the Small Claims Division of District Court. |
| Eviction | District Court | Landlord-tenant cases are heard in District Court. |
| Divorce | Circuit Court, Family Division | Divorce cases are heard in the Family Division of the Circuit Court. |
| Child custody or support | Circuit Court, Family Division | Custody is decided by the Family Division, and the Friend of the Court, which is not a court, handles support and parenting time. |
| Probate or estate | Probate Court | Estates, trusts, and guardianships are handled by the Probate Court. |
| Juvenile case | Circuit Court, Family Division | Juvenile matters are heard in the Family Division of the Circuit Court. |
| Appeal | Circuit Court or Michigan Court of Appeals | Circuit Court hears appeals from District and Probate Courts, and the Court of Appeals hears appeals from Circuit Court. |
Are Clinton County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Clinton County court records are public, with exceptions set by Michigan law and court rules. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act and Michigan Court Rules MCR 8.119 govern public access to court records in general terms.
Public records
Most case files in the Circuit, District, and Probate Courts are open, including dockets, filings, and orders, unless a law or court order restricts them.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, mental health, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available. Ask the court which rule applies to a restricted file.
Online access
Statewide court information is available at courts.michigan.gov. That site is not a county record search and does not show every document.
In-person access
Request records from the office that keeps them: the County Clerk for Circuit Court records, and the District or Probate Court for its own records. Call first to confirm which office holds the file.
Fees
No fees are listed here. Ask the County Clerk or the court about copy fees before requesting records.
How to Search Clinton County Court Records Online
Use the statewide court site to find the right court, then contact that court office for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open courts.michigan.gov to find the court that handles the case type and its official contact information.
- Search by party name or case number only where the court's official website lists a search option.
- Review the case details, including the case number, court, and status.
- Contact the court office that keeps the file to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | County Clerk, Circuit Court criminal records | Case information from the clerk | No county online case search is verified here |
| Traffic | District Court office | Case information from the court | Payment is separate from record search |
| Civil | County Clerk, Circuit Court civil records | Case information from the clerk | Documents may need a request to the clerk |
| Small claims | District Court, Small Claims Division | Case information from the court | Documents may need a request to the court |
| Family law | County Clerk, Family Division records | Case information from the clerk | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Probate Court | Estate and guardianship files | Not kept by the Circuit Court clerk |
| Juvenile | Family Division of the Circuit Court | Limited information through the court | Juvenile records are confidential and not publicly available |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Clinton County
Pay fines and citations to the court that issued them, and confirm the payment method with that court before paying.
- Phone: Call the District Court or the County Clerk's office using the number on the county's official website to confirm how to pay.
Traffic citations and criminal fines are handled by the court on your paperwork. Parking tickets are paid to the agency that issued them, not to the court.
Clinton County Court Records FAQ
How do I search court records in Clinton County?
Start at courts.michigan.gov for statewide court information, then contact the County Clerk for Circuit Court records or the court that keeps the file.
Are Clinton County court records public?
Most are, under Michigan's court rules and the Freedom of Information Act, but juvenile, sealed, and other confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Identify the court that handles the charge, usually District Court for misdemeanors or Circuit Court for felonies, and ask its office for the case number.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket or notice first, then call the court office that issued it to confirm the date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Call the District Court or the County Clerk through the number on the county's official website to confirm the payment options on your ticket.
How many people live in Clinton County?
Clinton County had 80,432 residents in 2025, compared with 80,189 in 2024, according to Census Bureau estimates.
How does Clinton County compare with Michigan?
Clinton County had 0.79% of Michigan's 10,127,884 residents in 2025. Court filing counts are not included here.
Is crime in Michigan rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 3.9% to 42,285 in 2025 from 43,979 in 2024, and property crimes fell 10.2% to 127,513 from 141,977, as reported to the FBI. These are Michigan statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Clinton County Circuit Court More Info
| Address: | 100 E State Street Suite 4500, St. Johns, MI, 48879 |
| Phone Number: | 989-224-5100 |
| Fax: | 989-224-5102 |
| Website: | https://www.clinton-county.org/304/Circuit-Court |
Useful Links
- 17th Judicial Circuit Court - Access information about the circuit court in Clinton County for civil, criminal, and family legal matters.
- 65th District Court - Detailed information about district court services in Clinton County for various legal proceedings and hearings.
- Clinton County Probate Court - Probate court details for wills, estates, conservatorships, and guardianship services in Clinton County.
- Michigan Courts - Case Search - Conduct a comprehensive case search across Michigan to find legal records and case information.
- Clinton County Online Services - Access various online court services, including payment options and record search, for Clinton County residents.
- Clinton County Clerk - Services and information from the Clinton County Clerk's office related to vital records and other official documents.
- State of Michigan - Official state resources including legal, governmental, and public service information applicable to Clinton County residents.
- Clinton Friend of the Court - Information regarding child support, custody, and parenting time services provided by the Friend of the Court.
- Michigan Legal Help - Provides free legal information and tools designed to help people in Michigan resolve legal problems independently.
- Michigan Judicial Institute - Educational resources and training materials for understanding Michigan's legal system and court processes.
- Michigan Supreme Court - The highest court in Michigan offers invaluable resources including opinions, orders, and case summaries.
- Michigan County Clerks - Directory of county clerks across Michigan including Clinton County for further court-related services and information.
- Michigan Courts - Comprehensive website offering access to all Michigan court information, case searches, and judicial resources.
- Self-Represented Litigants - Resources available for individuals representing themselves in court regarding legal procedures and case management.
- MiCOURT Locator Map - Useful tool for locating various court locations throughout Michigan including Clinton County's judicial branches.
- State Bar of Michigan - Professional resources, legal news, and support for Michigan attorneys, courts, and the public.
- Legal Services of South Central Michigan - Non-profit organization offering free legal help to Clinton County and surrounding areas.
- How to Find Your Court - Guide provided by Michigan Legal Help for locating the appropriate court for your legal issues in Clinton County.
- Michigan Court Directory - Detailed directory of all Michigan courts, judges, administrators, and offices available throughout the state.
- MiFILE e-Filing - Electronic filing service for Michigan courts, including guidance on submitting court documents online efficiently.
Table of Contents
- Clinton County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Clinton County Court Records
- Clinton County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Clinton County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Clinton County?
- How Does Clinton County Compare With Michigan Overall?
- Clinton County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Clinton County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Clinton County?
- Are Clinton County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Clinton County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Clinton County
- Clinton County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links