Macomb County MI Court Records

Thank you for coming here to learn more about court records. We want to help you find the Macomb County Court Records you seek. This page aims to give you the facts you need. We will guide you through the process.

If you want to begin your search for Macomb County Court Records right now, you can check out https://michiganofficialrecords.com/macomb-county-court-records/. This resource may provide a quick start for accessing public record information online. Visiting the site might help you find the case details you need fast before diving into the specific court processes detailed below. It offers a way to possibly bypass waiting for direct court office help.

Macomb County Court System Structure

Macomb County has several courts. Each court handles different kinds of cases. Knowing which court has your record helps a lot. The main courts are Circuit, District, and Probate. These courts make and keep the records you might need. Each part of the system has its own job. This setup helps the flow of law work run well.

16th Judicial Circuit Court

The 16th Judicial Circuit Court is a key court. It holds trials for big cases. This includes all civil cases with claims over $25,000. It also handles all felony criminal cases. Cases about family matters, like divorce or child custody, are heard here. The Circuit Court also hears appeals. These appeals come from the District Courts. It also hears appeals from some state agencies. The Macomb County Clerk acts as the Clerk for this court. They keep all the files and the court seal safe.

• Address: Macomb County Court Building, 40 N Main, Mount Clemens, MI 48043

• Phone: (586) 469-7171 or (586) 469-5150

• Standard Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Check for holiday changes.

Macomb County District Courts

District Courts handle many types of cases. These are often less severe than Circuit Court cases. They deal with misdemeanor crimes. Traffic tickets and local rule breaks go here too. Civil cases with claims up to $25,000 start here. Small claims court is part of the District Court. Landlord and tenant issues are also heard here. Macomb County has many District Courts. Each serves a specific city or town area.

• 37th District Court: Serves Warren and Center Line.

  • Warren Location: 8300 Common Rd, Warren, MI 48093

  • Center Line Location: 7070 E. Ten Mile Rd, Center Line, MI 48015, Phone: (586) 757-8333

• 38th District Court: Serves Eastpointe.

  • Address: 16101 E 9 Mile Rd, Eastpointe, MI 48021, Phone: (586) 445-5020

• 39th District Court: Serves Roseville and Fraser.

  • Roseville Location: 29733 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, MI 48066, Phone: (586) 773-2010

  • Fraser Location: 33000 Garfield Rd, Fraser, MI 48026, Phone: (586) 293-3137

• 40th District Court: Serves St. Clair Shores.

  • Address: 27701 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48081, Phone: (586) 445-5280

• 41A District Court: Serves Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Macomb Township, and Utica.

  • Sterling Heights Location: 40111 Dodge Park Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48313, Phone: (586) 446-2500

  • Shelby Township Location: 51660 Van Dyke Ave, Shelby Township, MI 48316, Phone: (586) 739-7325

• 41B District Court: Serves Clinton Township, Harrison Township, and Mount Clemens.

  • Address: 22380 Starks Drive, Clinton Township, MI 48036, Phone: (586) 469-9300

• 42nd District Court (Division 1): Serves Romeo, Washington Twp, Bruce Twp, Armada, Ray Twp, Richmond, Memphis.

  • Address: 14713 33 Mile Rd, Romeo, MI 48065, Phone: (586) 752-9679

• 42nd District Court (Division 2): Serves New Baltimore, Chesterfield Twp, Lenox Twp, New Haven.

  • Address: 35071 23 Mile Rd, New Baltimore, MI 48047, Phone: (586) 725-9500

Macomb County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles specific legal tasks. A main job is managing estates after death. This happens if there is a will or no will (intestate). The court makes sure assets go to the right heirs. People can also file wills here for safe keeping before death. This court appoints guardians for minors. It also appoints guardians for adults who cannot care for themselves. Conservators are named here too. They manage money and property for those who cannot.

• Address: 40 North Main St, 5th Floor, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043

• Phone: (586) 469-5290

• Fax: (586) 783-0905

• Hours: Check official site, likely aligns with Circuit Court hours (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM).

How to Access Macomb County Court Records

You have a few ways to get court records. You can look online. You can go in person. Or you can ask by mail or fax. The best way depends on the court and the record type. It also depends on how much detail you need. Some ways give quick views. Other ways give full official copies. Think about what you need the file for.

Online Access Portals

Macomb County offers online tools. These let you search for case data from home. The two main systems are CourtView and MiCourt. These are official state or county systems. They provide access to public case information. They are a good first stop for many searches. You can often find case numbers, party names, and dates. Full documents are not always online.

CourtView System (Circuit and Probate Courts)

CourtView is the system for the 16th Circuit Court and the Probate Court. You can search this portal online. Use it to find case details. Searches can be done by party name (first, last, middle). You can also search by company name. Adding a case number makes the search faster. You can also filter by case type, status, or date range. CourtView shows case summaries. It lists dockets, money paid, court dates, and results. Find it via the Macomb County Circuit Court website. Look for links like "Case Look Up" or "Public Access". The direct link found is https://circuitcourt.macombgov.org/circuitcourt-courtview. 

MiCourt System (District Courts)

For District Court records, use the Michigan Courts MiCourt portal. This statewide system includes many Macomb District Courts. Go to the MiCourt Case Search page. First, pick the specific District Court you need (e.g., 41B District Court). Then, search by name or case number. You can add filters like filing date, case type, or status. This helps narrow your results. Not all District Courts might be fully on MiCourt yet. Check the specific court's website too. Some, like the 41B District Court (https://41bdistrictcourt.com/), may have their own search links.

Information Typically Available Online

Online systems mostly show case summaries. You will likely see:

• Case number

• Party names (Plaintiff, Defendant)

• Attorneys involved

• Case type (Civil, Criminal, Traffic)

• Case status (Open, Closed)

• Register of Actions (Docket entries listing filings and events)

• Hearing dates and locations

• Judgments or dispositions (briefly)

Full scanned documents are less common online. You often need to request copies for those.

In-Person Access

Going to the courthouse is another way. This lets you see the full paper file usually. You can use public computer terminals too. These terminals often link to the same online systems. But sometimes they offer more access. Staff can help guide you. They cannot give legal advice though. Bring case info like names or numbers. This helps staff find files faster.

Macomb County Clerk's Office (Circuit Court Records)

The County Clerk's office manages Circuit Court records. It is a main place for in-person access.

• Court Section Address: 40 N Main, Mount Clemens, MI 48043

• Phone: (586) 469-5351

• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Confirm hours before visiting. You can view files here. You can also request copies. Staff are there to assist with your search.

Visiting Specific Courthouses

You can visit the specific District Court or Probate Court too. Each courthouse maintains its own records on site. Look for clerk windows or record rooms. Public access kiosks or computers might be there. These terminals often provide free access to case information systems. Ask court staff where to find public records. Remember the addresses listed earlier for each court. Court hours are typically standard business hours. Call ahead to confirm hours and any specific rules for viewing records.

Mail and Fax Requests

If you cannot visit, ask by mail or fax. Check the court's website first. They may have a specific request form. For the Clerk's office, check the Macomb County Clerk website. An "Online Records Request Form" might exist for some types. Fill out the form fully. Include case numbers and party names. Be clear about what documents you need. You must include payment. Usually a check or money order is needed. Make it payable to the correct court or Clerk. Often, you must send a self-addressed stamped envelope too. This is so they can mail the copies back to you. Fax requests follow similar steps. Check if the court accepts fax requests and how they handle payment.

Costs Associated with Record Access

Getting copies of court records usually costs money. Fees vary by court and request type. Basic online searches are often free. Getting paper copies or certified copies costs more. Know the fees before you ask. This avoids delays.

• Copy Fees: Often $1.00 or $2.00 per page. Check with the specific court clerk.

• Certification Fees: If you need an official certified copy, there is an extra fee. This is often $10 per document, plus the per-page cost.

• Name Search Fees: The County Clerk may charge for searching by name if you don't have a case number. This fee was listed as $2 per name searched.

• Online Search Costs: Basic case lookups on CourtView or MiCourt are generally free. Accessing full documents online, if available, might have fees. Land record searches via the Register of Deeds have specific subscription or per-document fees.

• Accepted Payment Methods: In person, courts usually take cash, check, or money order. Some may take cards. By mail, use check or money order payable to the specific court or "Macomb County Clerk". Do not send cash by mail.

Understanding the Content of Court Records

Court records contain the official history of a case. Knowing what is inside helps your search. Records vary but share common parts. Dockets list events. Some records are public, some are not. State rules control access.

Common Information Found

Most Macomb County court records include:

• Names of people or groups involved (plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners).

• The unique case number assigned by the court.

• Names of attorneys representing the parties.

• Dates when documents were filed or actions happened.

• Copies of filed documents (complaints, motions, orders).

• The judge assigned to the case.

• Hearing dates and brief notes on what happened.

• Final judgments, orders, or sentences.

Court Dockets Explained

A docket is an official summary of a case. It lists everything that happens in court order. Think of it like a table of contents for the case file. The docket shows dates for filings. It shows hearings held. It notes orders issued by the judge. Dockets often list the document type and who filed it. Reviewing the docket helps you track the case progress. It helps you find specific documents in the larger file. Dockets are often viewable online through CourtView or MiCourt.

Public vs. Non-Public Records

Most court records in Michigan are public. But there are key limits. Access is governed by law and court rules. Not by the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Michigan Court Rules (MCR 8.119) on Access

Michigan Court Rule 8.119 states that court records are open. Anyone can inspect them. Anyone can get copies. This is true unless a law, rule, or court order restricts access. Courts can make rules to protect records. They can prevent too much interference with court work.

Types of Restricted Records

Some case types or documents are kept private by law. Common examples include:

• Juvenile delinquency records.

• Adoption proceedings.

• Details in domestic violence cases (like addresses).

• Some mental health records.

• Information sealed by a judge's order.

Protection of Personal Information (MCR 1.109)

Michigan Court Rule 1.109 protects private data. Certain personal details must be removed or hidden (redacted). This applies before records are made public. Protected information includes:

• Social Security numbers.

• Dates of birth (sometimes month/day available).

• Driver's license numbers.

• Financial account numbers.

Note on FOIA Exemption for Courts (MCL 15.232(h)(iv))

It is key to know courts are not subject to Michigan's FOIA. The Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.) applies to most state and local bodies. But the judicial branch is exempt (MCL 15.232(h)(iv)). Access to court records follows court rules like MCR 8.119 instead.

Related Macomb County Offices and Records

Court records are just one type of public record. Other county offices handle different information. The County Clerk has other roles. The Sheriff handles police records.

Macomb County Clerk / Register of Deeds

The Macomb County Clerk has many duties. Besides being Clerk of the Circuit Court, the office handles:

• Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates)

• Business Registrations

• Election Administration

• County Board of Commissioners Records

• Register of Deeds (Land Records)

The Register of Deeds handles property documents. This includes deeds, mortgages, and liens. These are separate from court case files. You can search land records online. Fees often apply for this search or for copies.

• Register of Deeds Address: 120 North Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043

• Phone: (586) 469-7953

• Website Search: Check https://clerk.macombgov.org/Clerk-RegisterOfDeeds-Search 

Macomb County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement. They handle arrest records. They manage the county jail. Their records are different from court records. Court records show the legal case process. Sheriff records show arrests and incidents. Mugshots might be available from the Sheriff, not the court clerk.

• Records Division Address: County Administration Building, 1 South Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 (Confirm location as structures change)

• Phone: (586) 469-5100 (Records Division)