St. Joseph County
St Joseph County was created in 1829 by the Michigan Territory Legislature. It has an estimated population of 60,887 and a land area of about 500.6 square miles. The county seat is the Village of Centreville.
St Joseph County courts include a Circuit Court, a District Court, and a Probate Court. The Circuit Court handles felony, domestic relations, appeals from administrative agencies, and civil cases with claims higher than $25,000. It has a Family Division that presides over cases of juvenile delinquency, neglect, and abuse of children under 18 years of age. The District Court holds preliminary hearings for felonies and addresses cases related to misdemeanors, traffic infractions, small claims (less than $5,500), and civil cases in which the disputed amount is under $25,000. The court has four main divisions: the Criminal Division, Civil Division, Traffic Division, and Probation Division. The District Court allows interested and willing convicts of alcohol or substance abuse to participate in the Sobriety Court. The Probate Court hears mental health and probate cases, including adoptions, guardianship, decedent's estates, and protective orders.
St Joseph County public court records refer to case files, registers of action, indexes, calendars, and judgments created or received during legal proceedings. The St Joseph County Clerk is the record keeper for all court records in the county, which include:
- Civil records
- Criminal records
- Traffic records
- Divorce records
- Probate records
Michigan Court Rule 8.119(H) allows the public to access court records in St Joseph County. To access Circuit Court records, requests may be made by visiting the clerk's office at:
125, West Main Street
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5531
Interested individuals may request District Court records by filling out a Copy and Review File Request Form and submitting it to the clerk's office. Additionally, the public may check the Circuit Court Calendar and District Court Calendar Portal for court dockets.
