Washtenaw County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Washtenaw County was established in 1822 in Michigan. The county has about 370,200 residents and covers 706 square miles of land area in its home state. The City of Ann Arbor is the government seat and largest city in Washtenaw County. The Circuit and District Courts make up the Washtenaw County judiciary.

The 22nd Circuit Court is Washtenaw County's trial court of general jurisdiction. It comprises the Civil, Criminal, Juvenile, and Family Divisions. The Criminal Division typically hears all felony-related cases and severe misdemeanors, while the Civil Division handles general civil claims involving more than $25,000 in financial disputes. Appeals from lesser county courts and administrative agencies also occur at Washtenaw's Circuit Court. Legal matters tried at the Juvenile Division include juvenile delinquency cases and child protective proceedings. The Family Division has jurisdiction over divorce cases, adoptions, personal protection orders, and name changes. The Probate Court in Washtenaw County serves under the Circuit Court Family Division. It is tasked with handling probate of wills, conservatorships, administration of estates, guardianships, and mental health cases. Washtenaw County has three District Courts tasked with presiding over limited criminal and civil lawsuits within specific regions in Washtenaw County. Criminal proceedings that take place at District Courts include misdemeanors, traffic violations, and felony pretrial hearings. The District Courts also resolve civil disputes involving not more than $25,000. These courts are located in:

• 14A District Courts located in the cities of Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Saline, and Ypsilanti
• 14B District Court in Ypsilanti Township
• 15th District Court in Ann Arbor

Washtenaw County trial courts typically dispose of 98% of cases each year since 2014. According to Michigan Interactive Court Data, the county courts receive about 50,000 case filings yearly. Public case files in Washtenaw County are accessible online. The Circuit Court provides an online portal for interested persons seeking limited court records. To obtain official court documents, individuals can contact the Circuit Court records unit. District Court records are accessible online via the state's MiCOURT Case Search. Confidential records, such as juvenile and adoption records, are not available to the public.

In summary, Washtenaw County's judicial system, including the Circuit and District Courts, is committed to upholding the rule of law. They ensure a smooth judicial process by providing timely resolution to civil cases and impartial handling of criminal proceedings. Thanks to the open access to court records, the county judiciary promotes public trust and transparency.