Grand Traverse County Court Records Lookup

Grand Traverse County Courts, MI *

Grand Traverse is a unique county in Northern Michigan, named for the bay that empties into Lake Michigan. The people of Grand Traverse County need a court system to handle disputes and resolve discrepancies when problems arise between businesses or individuals. People also need court records to check evictions of prospective tenants, criminal records for newly hired employees, or to prepare for a case as a legal professional. As the most populated county in Northern Michigan, people who live in Grand Traverse County need to understand how the court system works and how to access records to save time and frustration at the courthouse.

How to Access Grand Traverse County Court Records

Online Access

People who want online access to court cases in Grand Traverse County can access both civil and criminal court records from the Circuit Court and the District Court by using the MiCOURT website provided by the State of Michigan. Residents of the county can also access Grand Traverse County civil and criminal records through the county website. It is helpful to have as much information about the case as possible before beginning an online search of court records.

Alternative Online Options

Although Michigan has had a statewide digitized court records system since 2020, many people still find searching online databases for court records challenging. That's when a court case aggregator, CourtCaseFinder, might be helpful. The platform pulls court cases at the state level and nationwide. Residents can easily access court records from anywhere in the country, even when information is missing or incomplete.

In-Person Requests

Residents may sometimes need to visit the Grand Traverse County Courthouse for access to specific court records they may not be able to obtain online. For example, certified court records are sometimes needed for an ongoing case, a financial institution, or another government agency. The Clerks of Court for the District and the Circuit Courts can certify court records. Also, some documents cannot be viewed online, so a visit to the courthouse may be necessary. The District and Circuit Court Clerk's Offices are also important for citizens who are looking for archived court records.

Archived Records

A court case is considered archived if the outcome has been decided or a judge has dismissed the case. Grand Traverse County has court records dating back to its founding in 1840. The Clerks of Courts' offices are the first places to ask about archived court records. For older records, such as those from before the 21st century, residents can look in the Archives of Michigan or online via Michiganology.

Overview of the Grand Traverse County Court System

The Michigan court system has become more streamlined since the Michigan Legislature mandated judicial reform in the late 1960s. Before court reform, the court system in the state was a confusing mixture of county, state, and municipal courts. Now the state operates on a three-tier system. At the top of the tier is the Michigan Supreme Court, which is the court of last resort for appeals in the state. The intermediate tier is the Michigan Court of Appeals, which hears appeals from specific areas in the state. Grand Traverse County is part of the Fourth District, which is housed in Lansing.

Grand Traverse County has three local trial courts. The 13th Circuit Court is the major trial court in the county, hearing felonies and large civil cases. The 86th District Court hears misdemeanors, small claims cases, evictions, and smaller civil cases under $25,000. The county also has a Probate Court to handle estates after someone has died.

Types of Courts in Grand Traverse County, Michigan

Circuit Court

The 13th Judicial Circuit Court is part of Michigan's Circuit Court system. The circuit court in Grand Traverse County represents Grand Traverse, Antrim, and Leelanau Counties. This main trial court hears major crimes and large civil cases worth more than $25,000 in damages. The Circuit Court has three divisions: Civil, Criminal, and Family. The Family Division hears cases such as divorce, separation, adoption, and all juvenile cases.

Jurisdiction:

• Felony cases, including preliminary hearings (Criminal Division)
• Any juvenile felony cases moved to adult court (Criminal Division)
• Any civil case over $25,000 (Civil Division)
• Juvenile delinquency: Cases involving juveniles who commit crimes (Family Division)
• Juvenile dependency cases (child abuse or neglect) (Family Division)
• Orders of protection (Family Division)
• Divorce, adoption, child custody and child support (Family Division)

Primary Location: Grand Traverse County Courthouse, Traverse City

District Court

The 68th District Court is also located in the county courthouse. It is the court that most citizens interact with during their lives. Unlike the Circuit Court, the District Court does not have court divisions. Instead, the same judges hear both civil and criminal cases. While the district courts in most counties in Michigan serve only one county, the 68th District Court serves three counties: Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau.

Jurisdiction:

• Misdemeanor cases, including traffic citations and ordinance violations
• Preliminary hearings, including search warrants and arrest warrants
• Civil cases under $25,000, including small claims
• Evictions, foreclosures, garnishments

Primary Location: Grand Traverse County Courthouse, Traverse City

Probate Court

Grand Traverse County has a Probate Court that is separate from either the Circuit Court or the District Court. The Probate Court has a separate clerk as well, called the Probate Register. While the Probate Courts in some counties handle cases other than wills and estates, Grand Traverse's Probate Court only hears cases regarding property or assets of deceased persons or related to those persons needing more supervision.

Jurisdiction:

• Wills, trusts, and estates
• Appointments of trustees, and hearings to remove conservators or trustees
• Conservatorships

Primary Location: Grand Traverse County Courthouse, Traverse City

How to File a Case in Grand Traverse County

Filing a case in Grand Traverse County can be a challenge for people not familiar with the court system. Following these steps can help ensure that one's court case does not get delayed or denied. Remember that residents will not have to file criminal cases, as that is taken care of by government agencies, such as police departments, fire departments, or code enforcement agencies.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

The first step residents need to take to file a court case is to determine which court they should file in. As a general rule, civil cases over $25,000 in damages should be filed in Circuit Court, and family court cases will also be filed in Circuit Court. If residents are filing a small claims case or a civil case below $25,000 in damages, they will file in District Court. Probate Court cases deal with wills and estates, so paperwork pertaining to these will be filed in that court. If someone is unsure where to file, they can ask the District Court Clerk, the Circuit Court Clerk, or the Probate Register for assistance.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

The next step residents need to complete is the required forms paperwork for the case. Court forms for Probate Court, Circuit Court, and District Court are available on the forms database. Michigan has a self-help website to help with required forms. Residents can also visit the court clerks or the Probate Register for assistance.

Step 3: File the Case

Residents can file a civil case in Michigan online or in person. However, attorneys must file cases online. To file a case online, people can visit the MiFILE platform. If residents want to file in person, they need to visit the Circuit Court Clerk, the District Court Clerk, or the Probate Register. Michigan also gives residents the option to file by mail, but people are encouraged to send court filings by certified mail.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

If county residents file their court cases online, they will need to pay filing fees online as well. All court cases have filing fees associated with them, and the cost of filing fees depends on the case. Larger damage cases will cost more to file than smaller cases. Residents who file in person can pay the court clerk with cash, card, money order, or cashier's check. If filing by mail, residents should only enclose payment with a money order or cashier's check. There are waivers available for people who have financial need.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

It is the law in Michigan that each litigant in the lawsuit must be notified about the case for the case to move forward. In Michigan, people can use a sheriff's deputy, a certified court officer, or a process server to have court paperwork served. Once the other litigant is served, a Proof of Service form has to be filed with the court.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

It is essential to monitor the court case for updates, because court motions and court calendars can change. Residents can monitor the case either through the MiFILE or MiCOURT sites. They can also call the District or Circuit Court Clerks, visit the Clerk's Office in person, or ask about the case progress via mail.

Grand Traverse County Courthouse Directory

Legal and Self-Help Resources

When Michiganders find themselves in court, it can be challenging to navigate the court system. Luckily, Grand Traverse County has resources to help residents navigate the courts.

• Michigan Legal Help is the state court's self-help site. It provides information on court structure, how to find and fill out court paperwork, and a resource library for residents with questions.
• Legal Services of Northern Michigan helps residents with civil cases in Grand Traverse County such as housing, benefits needs, family law, debt collection, and other consumer law issues.
• The Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association offers free legal help to community residents each week. While preference is given to family law topics, lawyers are available to answer a variety of questions in both civil and criminal law.

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