Lapeer County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Lapeer County, Michigan, was created in 1822 and organized in 1835. It has a land area of 643 square miles, and about 88,600 people reside in the county. The City of Lapeer is its largest city and county seat. The Lapeer County court system comprises Circuit, District, and Probate Courts. These courts located in the City of Lapeer are integral to maintaining law and order in the county as they manage various legal affairs, including criminal, civil, family, and probate proceedings.

The Lapeer County 40th Judicial Circuit Court is the highest in the county and it handles cases beyond the jurisdiction of the other courts. It has original jurisdiction over all felonies, serious misdemeanors, and civil cases with claims above $25,000. The Family Division hears domestic matters, including annulment, adoptions, juvenile delinquency, divorces, emancipation, and child custody cases. It also hears appeals from other county courts. The Lapeer County 71A District Court handles civil cases with claims under $25,000, most misdemeanors, and felony preliminary hearings. It also hears traffic offenses and municipal ordinance violations. Lastly, the Lapeer County Probate Court administers estates and trusts, admits wills, appoints guardians and conservators for minors and adults, and handles commitments to mental health institutions.

Lapeer County has a crime rate of 2,200 crimes per 100,000 population. In 2023, the Lapeer County Circuit Court heard 203 criminal cases, 175 civil cases, 46 appeals, and 902 family law cases. In the same year, the Lapeer County District Court handled about 2,000 non-traffic criminal cases, 7,408 traffic cases, and 2,700 civil cases. Similarly, the Probate Court oversaw over 400 probate matters in the year. The Lapeer County Clerk maintains the court records of the Circuit Court, while court administrators maintain those for other courts in compliance with county and state laws. Record seekers can search for public court records via the MiCOURT Search platform. In addition, anyone can visit the various courts in Lapeer County to view and request copies of court records. Certain court records in Lapeer County are sealed by law or court orders to preserve privacy, protect sensitive information, or the interest of justice. The following are usually excluded from public records in Lapeer County:

• Most juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Substance abuse treatment records
• Sexually transmitted disease (STD) test results and treatment records
• Mental health records
• Unprosecuted charges
• Social security number
• Driver's license number
• Bank account details
• Identifying information about jurors

In conclusion, the Lapeer County court system guarantees a seamless and effective legal process. The Lapeer County Circuit, Probate, and District Courts handle cases efficiently and impartially. The county's handling of court records ensures accessibility and transparency, which boosts public trust in the judicial system. Lapeer County is a model of effective judicial management in Michigan.