Jackson County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Jackson County covers over 700 square miles and is the 29th largest county in Michigan. It is home to over 160,000 residents and includes 19 townships, six villages, and one city. The county seat, Jackson, not only serves as the county's administrative center but also houses the county's judicial buildings. The county's court system comprises the Circuit, District, Family, and Probate Court. The Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil claims involving disputed amounts of more than $25,000, as well as felony crimes such as arson, burglary, drug offenses, murder, and rape. A felony conviction in Jackson County carries a sentence of one year in jail and a $500 fine.

The jurisdiction of the Jackson County District Court encompasses civil cases involving disputed amounts not exceeding $25,000 and certain criminal matters, including misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for felonies. Furthermore, the District Court adjudicates small claims with damages capped at $6,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and most traffic violations. The Jackson County Family Court presides over proceedings relating to juvenile delinquency, child protection, guardianships, adoptions, and emancipation of minors. In contrast, the Jackson County Probate Court exercises authority over matters pertaining to guardianship or conservatorship, as well as cases involving decedent estates, wills, trust administration, the examination of safe deposit boxes of deceased individuals, and secret marriages.

The Jackson County court system plays a critical role in the administration of justice, handling a substantial number of civil and criminal cases yearly. The Circuit Court processes over 4,500 new cases annually, while the District Court takes on more than 20,000 new cases yearly. This underscores the vital role of the court system in upholding law and order within Jackson County, especially in light of the county's current crime rate of 28 incidents per 1,000 people. Jackson County's court records are accessible to the public and are maintained by the Jackson County Clerk. Those interested can obtain civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate records directly from the office of the Jackson County Clerk. Note that specific records involving juvenile and child protective proceedings, juvenile guardianships, parental waivers, and violations of personal protection orders are exempt from public inspection.

In summary, the Jackson County court system is an integral part of the county's government, providing residents with access to legal remedies across various matters. The system comprises the county's circuit, district, family, and probate courts, all well-equipped to address diverse legal issues.