Return to Circuit Court MenuThe state is divided into judicial circuits along county lines. The number of judges within a circuit is established by the legislature to accommodate required judicial activity. In multi-county circuits, judges travel from one county to another to hold court sessions.
The circuit court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Michigan because of its very broad power. Circuit court has jurisdiction over all actions except those given by state law to another court. Generally speaking, the circuit court has original jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more than $25,000, in all criminal cases where the offense involves a felony or certain serious misdemeanors, and in cases related to family matters, including divorce, paternity actions, juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect of minors, adoptions, emancipation of minors and name changes.
The circuit court also hears cases appealed from the probate and district courts and from some administrative agencies of state government. In addition, the circuit court has superintending control over other courts within the judicial circuit, subject to final superintending control of the Supreme Court.
Circuit judges are elected for terms of six years in non-partisan elections. A candidate must be a qualified elector, a resident of the judicial circuit, a lawyer who has been licensed to practice law for at least five years and under 70 years of age. Salaries for circuit judges are set by the legislature.
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Last Updated 2-3-03
Send your comments, questions and suggestions to Phil Harter at 161 E Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014 or e mail to pharter@calhouncountymi.gov