Macomb County court records in Michigan are maintained by the county clerk and district court clerks and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the court office. MacombCourt.us will help you find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, you can use the MiCOURT Case Search portal, contact the clerk's office, or visit the courthouse in person.
Macomb Court System Overview
Macomb County is part of the 16th judicial circuit of Michigan, where the Macomb County Circuit Court operates as a court of general jurisdiction. The circuit court handles serious criminal cases, civil claims over $25,000, and appeals from district courts. The circuit court structure includes separate divisions: Family Division and Juvenile Division, which handle family and juvenile cases, respectively. At the district court level, the county is served by several district courts — the 37th, 38th, 39th, 40th, 41-A, and 42nd — each covering specific cities and townships. The circuit court building is located in Mount Clemens.
Courts Serving Macomb
The county's residents are served by an extensive network of state and federal courts.
Circuit Court
District Courts
Probate Court
Federal Court
Macomb County is part of the Eastern District of Michigan (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan).
What Types of Cases Macomb Courts Hear
The county courts handle a wide range of cases — from minor traffic violations to complex criminal proceedings. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations and DUI
- Civil claims, including small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support
- Probate matters, guardianship, and conservatorship
- Juvenile cases and child protection cases
- Adoption
District Court Cases in Macomb
In Michigan's court system, district courts are courts of limited jurisdiction that handle misdemeanors, civil cases up to $25,000, small claims, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. After the preliminary examination, a district court judge decides if there is enough evidence to bind the case over to the circuit court. If so, the case is "bind over" to the Circuit Court.
Civil claims over $25,000 are filed directly with the circuit court. Appeals from district court decisions also go to the Circuit Court. Cases are assigned to judges of the respective district court based on geographical jurisdiction — each district court serves specific municipalities.
Magistrate Court Cases in Macomb
In Michigan, magistrates work within district courts and perform limited judicial functions. They conduct preliminary hearings, handle minor offenses, set bail, and conduct arraignments in DUI cases. Magistrates can also decide small claims cases.
The jurisdictional limit for civil cases in district court is $25,000. Small claims are handled for amounts up to $6,500 according to Michigan law. Traffic violations and some misdemeanors with minor fines are often resolved at the magistrate level, speeding up the process for participants.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Macomb
Family Law
Divorces, child custody disputes, child support, paternity establishment, and protective orders are handled by the Family Division of the circuit court. Cases are initiated by filing a petition with the Circuit Court clerk in Mount Clemens. Information about family division cases can be found through the Michigan Courts case search portal.
Probate
The Macomb County Probate Court handles estate administration, the appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust matters. It is a separate court with its office in the courthouse on North Main Street.
Juvenile Matters
The Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court handles cases involving juvenile offenders and child protection cases. Juvenile case records are confidential under Michigan law and are generally closed to public access.
How Cases Move Through the Macomb Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case starts with a prosecutor's complaint or police report; a civil case with a complaint; a family or probate case with a petition.
- Judge Assignment. The case is assigned to a specific judge of the respective court.
- First Hearing. In criminal cases, an arraignment is held where charges are announced to the defendant. In civil cases, a scheduling conference is held.
- Pretrial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Settlement. The case concludes with a jury verdict, judge's decision, settlement, or plea agreement.
- Post-Decision. Sentencing, appeal filing, or court order enforcement.
You can track the status of a specific case through the MiCOURT Case Search.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Macomb
The chief judge of the Circuit Court, together with the trial court administrator, manages the administrative operations of the county courts. Local rules of procedure for the 16th judicial circuit are published on the official Michigan Courts website.
Under Michigan law, most court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed cases, and some family proceedings. To obtain copies of documents, contact the clerk's office of the respective court — a small fee is usually charged for copying and certification.
Requests for public records can also be submitted through the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) procedure. Hearings in most cases are open to the public. Some county courts offer the possibility of remote participation in hearings — check with the specific court's office.
Approved Michigan court forms are available on the SCAO Forms page.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Macomb
- Online Case Search. The MiCOURT Case Search portal allows you to search for information about Macomb Circuit Court, Family Division, and Juvenile Division cases by case number or party name. Note: some courts display only cases with judgments from the last seven years.
- Advanced Case Search. Through the Michigan Courts Case Search, you can find documents, orders, and decisions from courts of various levels.
- Criminal History. The ICHAT system of the Michigan State Police provides access to public criminal records.
- Inmate Search. The OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) of the Michigan Department of Corrections allows you to find information about individuals serving sentences in state prisons. Information about inmates in local jails is available through the Macomb County Sheriff's Records Office.
- Correctional Facility in the County. The Macomb Correctional Facility is located in Lenox Township; phone: 586-749-4900.
- Expungement. The Michigan Attorney General provides expungement assistance, including necessary forms and step-by-step instructions.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates can be ordered through the Michigan Vital Records Department or at the MDHHS county office in Mount Clemens.
- Driving Records. A request for a driving record can be submitted through the Secretary of State.
- County Public Data. The Macomb Township Public Data System contains information about land parcels, property assessments, and other records.