Benzie County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Covering 340 square miles, Benzie County is the smallest of Michigan's 83 counties in land size. The county has a relatively modest population of just over 18,000 individuals, and its county seat is Beulah. In Benton County, the court system plays a vital role in upholding justice by safeguarding rights, resolving disputes, and enforcing the law in accordance with the state constitution. The Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court collectively fulfill the judicial needs of all the residents that reside in Benzie County.

The Benzie County Circuit Court serves as the principal trial court within the small county. It holds original jurisdiction over all civil cases exceeding $25,000 and criminal cases related to felonies or certain serious misdemeanors. The Circuit Court also adjudicates domestic relations matters, including divorce, paternity, and support actions. Additionally, the court presides over family division cases, including but not limited to neglect/abuse matters, juvenile delinquency matters, adoptions, emancipation of minors, as well as, name changes. It also hears appeals from all of the lower courts in the county. The Benzie County District Court functions as a trial court with limited jurisdiction, primarily addressing municipal civil infractions, traffic civil infractions, misdemeanor criminal offenses, landlord/tenant relations, civil lawsuits involving amounts up to $25,000, and small claims suits with disputes not exceeding $7,000. The Benzie County Probate Court hears cases related to guardianship appointments, commitment of mentally ill individuals, estate probate, and trust supervision. Additionally, the Probate Court oversees matters concerning delayed birth registrations, kidney donations, missing person proceedings, secret marriages, and the establishment of death for disaster victims.

The Benzie County Courts system caters to the legal needs of a small population, yet it is organized to handle various legal matters within its jurisdiction. The Circuit Court alone processes approximately 300 cases each year, including civil, criminal, and family-related cases. The Benzie County Circuit Court Clerk manages court records in Benzie County, and these records are accessible to the public. Interested parties can efficiently search court records online via the statewide case search portal. Special permission will be required to access any records that are sealed due to the nature of the case.

In summary, the Benzie County court system, comprising the Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court, is dedicated to providing accessible legal solutions for all its residents. With a strong emphasis on trust and transparency, the county's court system also ensures that records of court proceedings are available for inspection upon request.