Tuscola County
Tuscola County covers a land area of approximately 805 square miles in Michigan's Thumb region. It was created in 1840 from parts of Sanilac County with its name derived from a Native American word meaning "level lands." More than 53,000 persons reside in Tuscola County as of 2022. The county seat and largest community is Caro.
Tuscola County has three trial courts: the Circuit, District, and Probate Courts. The Circuit Court, also known as Michigan's 54th Judicial Circuit Court, has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases outside the scope of other courts in Tuscola County. It decides all felony trials, civil equity cases, financial claims exceeding $25,000, and appeals from administrative agencies. The Circuit Court in Tuscola has a Family Division tasked with handling juvenile and domestic relations cases, including paternity, divorce, adoption, and delinquency.
The District Court in Tuscola County hears misdemeanors and conducts preliminary hearings for felony cases. It also oversees civil lawsuits for up to $25,000, small claims where the disputed amount is up to $5,000, and landlord-tenant disputes. Meanwhile, the Tuscola County Probate Court handles cases involving guardianships, trusts, and settlement of decedents' estates.
Tuscola County court records are legal documents showing details of court proceedings within the county. Examples of information often included in these records are judgments, motions, dispositions, witness lists, complaints, and names of involved parties. Court records are publicly accessible under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. The state law permits public access to the following documents:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Traffic records
- Land records
- Family law records
However, confidential court records involving juvenile and adoption cases are restricted and available to only record owners and their legal representatives. Individuals interested in court records filed in the Circuit Court can complete and send the search request forms to the County Clerk or visit the local courthouse at:
Tuscola County Courthouse
440 North State Street
Caro, MI 48723
Phone: (989) 672-3775
Record searchers can find Tuscola County public court records online using the Michigan MiCOURT Case Search. You can search court records online by providing case numbers or names of parties involved.
