Clare County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Clare County spans approximately 564 square miles, rendering it the 50th largest county in Michigan. It incorporates 16 towns and three cities, with Harrison as the designated county seat and home to the county courts. The county hosts a population of 30,856 individuals and is equipped with an encompassing court system consisting of the Circuit Court, District Court, and Family/Probate Court. The Clare County Circuit Court manages civil cases involving disputed amounts exceeding $25,000 and adjudicates felony criminal cases carrying the potential for imprisonment. Additionally, the court houses a family division responsible for overseeing matters such as divorce, paternity, adoptions, juvenile offenses, guardianship, and cases involving child abuse and neglect. Furthermore, the Circuit Court serves as the appellate body for cases originating from other trial courts within the county.

The Clare County District Court has jurisdiction over most traffic violations, civil cases with claims up to $25,000, landlord-tenant matters, most traffic tickets, and misdemeanor criminal cases where the accused, if found guilty, cannot be sentenced to more than one year in jail. In addition, the District Court hears small claims cases. The Family/Probate Court handles wills, administers estates and trusts, appoints guardians and conservators, and orders treatment for mentally ill and developmentally disabled persons.

The Clare County court system efficiently processes over 4500 new cases annually, covering criminal charges, reflecting the current crime rate of 24 incidents per 1000 people. The court system's capability to handle a broad spectrum of cases underscores its commitment to transparency and accountability. As a demonstration of this commitment, Clare County ensures that case records are readily available for public review upon request. The County Clerk is the custodian of all public records, including court records. Requests for court records can be submitted to the County Clerk's Office or directly to the court where the case was initiated. It should be noted that documents related to juvenile and child protective proceedings, juvenile guardianships, parental waivers, and violations of personal protection orders are not available for public inspection.

In summary, the Clare County court system is a fundamental pillar of the county's governance structure. Comprising the circuit, district, and family/probate courts, the system guarantees residents access to just and unbiased legal proceedings.