Missaukee 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 28th Judicial Circuit Court serves Missaukee County as its Circuit Court for felonies, larger civil claims, appeals, and Family Division matters. District Court and Probate Court handle their own case types and keep their own records.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | 28th Judicial Circuit Court, Missaukee County |
| Handles | Circuit Court: felonies, civil claims above the District Court limit, appeals from District and Probate Court, and Family Division matters including divorce, custody, support, and juvenile cases. District Court: misdemeanors, traffic and ordinance violations, felony preliminary examinations, small claims, and landlord-tenant cases. |
| Does NOT Handle | Estates, trusts, guardianships, and mental health matters (Probate Court); federal cases (U.S. District Court for Michigan); parking tickets (the city or agency that issued them). |
| Online Case Search | courts.michigan.gov (statewide, not county-specific) |
| Criminal Records Requests | Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court, who is the County Clerk, through the county's official website |
How to Search Missaukee County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search Missaukee County court records.
Online
Go to courts.michigan.gov for statewide court information and links.
Use the trial court directory to find the county court's official contact details.
Check the official portal for any fees before you search.
Best for: Statewide court information and links
In Person
Go to the County Clerk's office at the county courthouse in the county seat.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk for the division that handles your case type.
Best for: Copies and records not available online
By Phone
Call the County Clerk's office, found through the county's official website.
Ask which court division holds your case before requesting copies.
Confirm response times when you call, since none are listed here.
Best for: Confirming which office holds your case
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
Missaukee County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
Missaukee County courts received 2,954 new cases in CY 2025 and disposed of 2,546, a clearance rate of 86.2%. Filings rose 14.5% from 2,579 in CY 2024.
2,954
Total filings in CY 2025
2,546
Total dispositions in CY 2025
~2,954
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
+14.5%
Change in total filings vs CY 2024
| Metric | CY 2025 | CY 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 2,954 | 2,579 | +14.5% |
| Total Dispositions | 2,546 | 2,164 | +17.7% |
| Criminal Filings | 715 | 769 | -7.0% |
| Civil Filings | 883 | 681 | +29.7% |
| Family Law Filings | 210 | 245 | -14.3% |
| Probate Filings | 128 | 110 | +16.4% |
| Mental Health Filings | 16 | 26 | -38.5% |
| Juvenile Filings | 71 | 126 | -43.7% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~+0.0% |
The largest movement was in civil filings (681 to 883); the total also includes 931 civil infraction and parking filings; rows marked ~ are estimates.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Missaukee County?
Total filings in Missaukee County fell 7.3% between CY 2021 and CY 2025, from 3,188 to 2,954.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2025 | 2,954 | 2,546 | +14.5% |
| CY 2024 | 2,579 | 2,164 | +10.8% |
| CY 2023 | 2,328 | 2,047 | -21.4% |
| CY 2022 | 2,960 | 2,654 | -7.2% |
| CY 2021 | 3,188 | 2,805 | ~+10.5% |
Total filings fell 7.3% over five years, from 3,188 in CY 2021 to 2,954 in CY 2025. The largest annual change was -21.4% in CY 2023. The latest change of +14.5% was driven by civil filings, and dispositions were 2,546 against 2,954 filings.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Missaukee County?
Civil cases are the largest category in Missaukee County, at 43.6% of filings in CY 2025.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 715 | 35.3% | -7.0% |
| Civil | 883 | 43.6% | +29.7% |
| Family law | 210 | 10.4% | -14.3% |
| Probate | 128 | 6.3% | +16.4% |
| Juvenile | 71 | 3.5% | -43.7% |
| Mental health | 16 | 0.8% | -38.5% |
Civil cases grew fastest (+29.7%) and juvenile cases fell fastest (-43.7%); rows marked ~ are estimates.
How Does Missaukee County Compare With Michigan Overall?
Missaukee County accounts for 0.08% of the 3,677,054 cases filed in Michigan courts in CY 2025, with 0.15% of the state's population.
| Metric | Missaukee County | Michigan | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 2,954 | 3,677,054 | 0.08% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | +14.5% | +7.9% | Higher than state |
| Filings per judicial position | ~2,954 | ~6,531 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~2,546 | ~5,493 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Criminal share of filings | 24.2% | 25.3% | Below state |
| Civil share of filings | 29.9% | 23.8% | Above state |
| Family law share of filings | 7.1% | 3.8% | Above state |
Missaukee County files cases at a lower rate per resident than Michigan (193.4 against 363.1 per 1,000), and its filings rose 14.5% against +7.9% statewide. Its criminal share of filings is below the state's and its civil share is above it; rows marked ~ are estimates.
Missaukee County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Michigan statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Missaukee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 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 Missaukee County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Missaukee County Courthouse Locations
Missaukee County court proceedings are held at the Missaukee County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missaukee County Courthouse | 111 South Canal Street, Lake City, MI 49651 | (231) 839-4967 | 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 Missaukee County?
Michigan cases in Missaukee County are split across the 28th Judicial Circuit Court, District Court, Probate Court, and the Family Division. Federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for Michigan.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court | Traffic and ordinance violations are heard in District Court. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by District Court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court | District Court hears misdemeanor charges. |
| Felony | Circuit Court | Circuit Court tries felonies, after a preliminary examination in District Court. |
| DUI | District Court or Circuit Court | Misdemeanor charges go to District Court and felony charges go to Circuit Court. |
| Domestic violence | District Court or Circuit Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route, and the clerk can explain protection order requests. |
| Civil lawsuit | Circuit Court or District Court | Circuit Court hears larger civil claims, and District Court hears claims up to its limit. |
| Small claims | District Court, Small Claims Division | Small claims are heard in District Court. |
| Eviction | District Court, Landlord-Tenant | 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 | Friend of the Court handles support and parenting time, but it is not a court. |
| Probate or estate | Probate Court | Estates, trusts, guardianships, and mental health matters are heard in Probate Court. |
| Juvenile case | Circuit Court, Family Division | Juvenile matters are heard in the Family Division of the Circuit Court. |
| Appeal | Circuit Court, then Michigan Court of Appeals | Circuit Court hears appeals from District and Probate Court, and higher appeals go to the Michigan Court of Appeals. |
Are Missaukee County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Missaukee County court records are public, with exceptions set by Michigan Court Rule 8.119, which governs public access to court records.
Public records
Most case files in the Circuit Court and District Court are open to the public, subject to the restrictions below. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.) also covers records held by public bodies in general.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, mental health, protective-order-restricted, and other confidential records are not publicly available.
Online access
Statewide court information is available at courts.michigan.gov, and this page does not list a county-specific online case search. Online access varies by court and case type, and not every document is available online.
In-person access
Visit the County Clerk's office at the county courthouse in the county seat to view or request records. Ask which division holds your case before you go.
Fees
This page does not list court fees. Ask the court office about any copy charges before you request records.
How to Search Missaukee County Court Records Online
Use statewide Michigan court resources to find Missaukee County cases by case type, and ask the clerk for documents that are not available online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Start at courts.michigan.gov for statewide court information, then use the trial court directory to find the county court.
- Search by party name or case number in the court's portal, if the court offers one.
- Review the case status, parties, and scheduled dates in the case record.
- Contact the clerk to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Circuit Court clerk for felonies; District Court clerk for misdemeanors; courts.michigan.gov for statewide links | Case status and docket information where available | Full documents may require the clerk |
| Traffic | District Court clerk, found through the trial court directory | Case status for traffic matters where available | Payment is handled separately; see the payment section |
| Civil | Circuit Court clerk for larger claims; District Court clerk for smaller claims | Docket information where available | Documents may require the clerk |
| Small claims | District Court clerk | Case information where available | Documents may require the clerk |
| Family law | Circuit Court clerk, Family Division | Case information where available | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Probate Court | Estate and guardianship files | Not handled by the Circuit Court clerk; contact the Probate Court |
| Juvenile | Circuit Court clerk, Family Division | Case information only through the clerk | Juvenile records are not publicly available |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Missaukee County
Pay Missaukee County traffic citations and fines by contacting the court directly, because this page lists no online payment method for the county.
- Phone: Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court or the District Court by phone, using the number on the county's official website, to ask about payment options for your citation or fine. Confirm which office holds your case before you call.
Parking tickets are handled by the city or agency that issued them, not by the court.
Missaukee County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Missaukee County court records?
Start at courts.michigan.gov for statewide court information, then contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court or the District Court clerk for county cases.
Are Missaukee County court records public?
Most are public under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, but juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, mental health, and other confidential records are not publicly available.
How do I find a criminal case?
Felonies are heard in Circuit Court and misdemeanors in District Court, so contact the clerk for the court that holds the case, with the defendant's full name or case number.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket, notice, or summons, then call the clerk for the court that holds your case to confirm the date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Call the Clerk of the Circuit Court or the District Court, using the number on the county's official website, to ask about payment options. Parking tickets are paid to the issuing agency.
How many people live in Missaukee County?
The county population was 15,274 in 2025, compared with 15,196 in 2024, a change of +0.51%.
What share of Michigan's population lives in Missaukee County?
0.15% in 2025, or 15,274 of 10,127,884 residents statewide.
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
Missaukee County Circuit CourtMore Info
| Address: | 111 South Canal, Lake City, MI, 49651 |
| Phone Number: | 231-839-4967 ext. 202 |
| Fax: | 231-839-3684 |
| Website: | http://www.missaukee.org/departments/circuit_court/index.html |
Useful Links
- Circuit Court | Missaukee County, MI - Access official information and resources from the 28th Circuit Court serving residents and handling civil, criminal, and family law cases in Missaukee County.
- Courts - State of Michigan - Discover statewide court information, resources, and updates from the Michigan Judiciary including local courthouse details and procedural guides.
- Probate Court | Missaukee County, MI - Offers resources and services for probate matters including wills, trusts, guardianship, and estate administration in Missaukee County.
- Supreme Court Oral Arguments - Michigan Courts - View the Michigan Supreme Court calendar for oral arguments, schedules, and related procedural information pertaining to state-level cases.
- Court Directory - Michigan Courts - Navigate a comprehensive court directory to find contact information for all Michigan courts, including trial, appellate, and supreme courts.
- Michigan Legal Help - Provides free legal help and information for Michigan residents navigating state legal matters, including user-friendly guides and tools.
- County Clerk | Missaukee County, MI - Official site for vital records, court services, and filing needs in Missaukee County, including birth, marriage, and death certificates.
- Missaukee County Probate Court - Find official probate court records and procedural resources for managing estates, wills, and guardianships in Missaukee County.
- Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI) - Offers education resources and training for legal professionals and judges within the state of Michigan, enhancing judicial performance.
- Michigan Attorney General - Explore services provided by the Attorney General, including consumer protection information and legal resources for Michigan residents.
- Michigan Legislature - Research Michigan's legal statutes and legislative processes through comprehensive access to bills, laws, and legislative history data.
- ACLU of Michigan - Court Cases - Advocates for civil liberties and keeps Michiganders informed about critical court cases impacting the state’s social and legal landscape.
- State Bar of Michigan - Professional organization providing support, resources, and regulation of members to improve legal practice and access to justice in Michigan.
- Self-Help Tools - Michigan Legal Help - Offers a variety of tools and guidance for individuals pursuing legal matters independently in Michigan, ensuring informed self-representation.
- Missaukee, MI Public Data and Information - Access to public records data, including real estate and court records, from Missaukee County.
- Michigan Legal Info - Directory of resources and contact points for legal issues throughout Michigan, enhancing accessibility for residents navigating legal systems.
- Michigan Private Investigator Legal Resource - Guides on utilizing private investigation services in Michigan, focusing on court record searches and background investigations.
- Legal Services of Northern Michigan - Provides free civil legal assistance and promotes access to justice for low-income residents and vulnerable groups in Northern Michigan.
- Michigan Public Records Directory - Navigate state and local public records, including access to court documents and vital records, across Michigan.
- MI Case Search - Public Case Access - Search the Michigan court database for public case access, providing detailed information on civil and criminal court proceedings statewide.
Table of Contents
- Missaukee County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Missaukee County Court Records
- Missaukee County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Missaukee County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Missaukee County?
- How Does Missaukee County Compare With Michigan Overall?
- Missaukee County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Missaukee County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Missaukee County?
- Are Missaukee County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Missaukee County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Missaukee County
- Missaukee County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links