Circuit Court

By Administrative Order - Security Policy for Court Facilities, individuals entering the Courthouse are to abide by the following:

No cameras, camera phones, *cell phones, or electronic recording devices, and

No weapons or cutting instruments allowed.

*Cell phones will be permitted for governmental employees with currently valid pictured I.D., licensed and practicing attorneys, physicians, victim advocates with a county pictured identification badge.

The state is divided into 57 judicial circuits along county lines. The number of judges within a circuit is established by the Legislature to accommodate required judicial activity. Calhoun County constitutes the 37th Judicial Circuit and currently has four Circuit Judges.

The circuit court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Michigan. The court has jurisdiction over all actions except those given by state law to another court. The court has original jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more than $25,000, all criminal cases where the offense involves a felony or certain serious misdemeanors.  The family division handles divorces and ancillary matters, custody, parenting time, paternity, juvenile offenses, and abuse and neglect. It also handles emancipation of minors, personal protection orders, name changes, adoptions, parental consent waivers, guardianships (ancillary), and mental health commitments (ancillary). Circuit court also hears appeals from district court, probate court and administrative agencies.

Circuit judges are elected for terms of six years in nonpartisan elections.

Judges

Administration

Judicial Staff

Jury System

Alternative Dispute Resolution