Clinton County
Populated by 79,720 people as of the 2023 estimates, Clinton County is included in the Lansing-East Lansing metropolitan statistical area. The county covers a total area of 575 square miles and has a median household income of $82,594. Its economy thrives on agriculture, education, and healthcare.
The four courts in the Clinton County court system are the Circuit Court, Probate Court, Juvenile Court, and District Court. Clinton County residents are served by the 29th Judicial Circuit of Michigan. Through its criminal division, the Circuit Court handles extraditions, writs, felony cases, and criminal appeals from the District Court. It also has civil jurisdiction over civil lawsuits over $25,000, divorces, condemnations, and injunctions. In addition, this court has the authority to preside over family law matters such as adoptions, abuse and neglect, paternity, and emancipation.
The 65A District Court is the closest court to the people within the Clinton County court system. In criminal law, it hears all adult misdemeanor cases and conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases. Also, it has exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $25,000, foreclosures, eviction proceedings, vehicle code violations, and small claims cases.
One of the primary functions of the Clinton Probate Court is to oversee trust proceedings. This court also handles the appointment of guardians and conservators for minors, name changes, secret marriages, filing of codicils and wills for safekeeping, as well as matters relating to the estates of deceased persons.
The Juvenile Court is responsible for addressing cases of juvenile delinquency, providing rehabilitation services for youth who enter the juvenile justice system, and repairing the harm caused by juvenile offenses.
The Clinton County Clerk is the official custodian of court records about cases heard in the Circuit Court. Unless access to a court file is restricted by statute, court order, or rule, members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of court records. Clinton County residents can access court records for the following case categories, either online or at the Clerk's Office:
- Probate case
- Traffic case
- Civil case
- Criminal case
- Domestic case (family/divorce)
To search for cases filed with the Clinton Circuit and District Courts, you may utilize the MiCourt Case Search portal by entering either a case number or party name. This portal provides public access to court cases filed after July 1996. To perform a search for records filed before this date, you will need to visit the Office of the County Clerk or send a written request, including a self-addressed envelope and a search fee of $10 per name, made payable to the County Clerk.
Court record copies can be requested online through the GovPay portal. It is important to note that the cost for the first ten copies is $2 per page, while additional copies are charged at 50 cents each. Certified copies incur a fee of $1 per page, in addition to a $10 search fee.
