Barry County
Barry County was organized in 1839 and named after William Taylor Barry. It covers about 553.1 square miles of land, making it the 58th largest county in Michigan by total area. Hastings serves as both the largest city and the county seat. Over 62,423 people reside in Barry County.
The court structure in Barry County consists of a Circuit Court, a District Court, and a Probate Court. The Barry County Circuit Court is a trial court with jurisdiction over all felony cases and all civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $25,000, including domestic relations and divorce cases. Additionally, the court hears appeals from lower courts. The District Court in Barry County handles traffic violations, criminal misdemeanor offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, civil infractions, and civil suits where the amount in dispute is under $25,000. The District Court has the authority to issue arrest and search warrants, conduct misdemeanor and felony arraignments, set bail, and accept bonds. The Barry County Probate Court has jurisdiction over cases related to conservatorships, guardianships, estates and trusts, and mental commitment proceedings.
Barry County court records are official documents that contain information related to legal cases and proceedings within the county's jurisdiction. These records include pleadings, judgments, orders, dockets, and transcripts. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, Barry County court records are public. However, certain court records, such as mental health records, firearms records, juvenile records, and adoption records, are confidential and not accessible to the public. Common court records in Barry County include the following:
- Family Records
- Probate Records
- Civil Records
- Criminal Records
The Barry County Clerk's Office keeps and maintains numerous records for the county, including court records. Court records may be searched using the MICOURT Case Search portal or by visiting the courthouses in person. A fee may be charged for copies and certified copies.
