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]

## Organization

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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

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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

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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

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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

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### List of Circuit Courts

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Court  | County  | Number of Judges  | Courthouse location(s)  | Image  | 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

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1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Trial Courts: Michigan has three trial courts-Circuit, district, and probate". www.courts.michigan.gov. 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "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 June 30, 2024.
5. ^ "Business Courts Search". www.courts.michigan.gov. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
6. ^ "Kent County, Michigan, Specialized Business Court Docket, Opinions". www.accesskent.com. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
7. ^ "MCL 600.8043, Judges; training".
8. ^ "Journal & e-Newsletter - Business Law Section". connect.michbar.org. Retrieved June 30, 2024.

## External links

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* Michigan Courts at Mi.Gov