St. Joseph County Court Records
What Is St. Joseph County Court Records
Court records in St. Joseph County, Michigan, are the official documentary materials generated, received, or maintained by a court in connection with a judicial proceeding. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, sentencing records, and any other documents filed with or produced by the court. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level, such as property records held by the Register of Deeds or vital records—birth, death, and marriage certificates—maintained by the County Clerk's vital records division.
In St. Joseph County, court records are maintained across several judicial bodies, each with jurisdiction over specific matter types:
- 45th Circuit Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $25,000, family law, and juvenile proceedings
- 3B District Court — handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims up to $25,000, small claims, and traffic matters
- Probate Court — handles estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health proceedings
- Family Court — operates as a division of the Circuit Court and handles divorce, custody, paternity, and child support matters
- Small Claims Court — a division of the District Court handling monetary disputes up to $7,000
Records maintained by these courts cover civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.1701, circuit courts are established as courts of record, and all proceedings and filings within those courts are subject to official recordkeeping requirements. The St. Joseph County Clerk serves as the official custodian of court records for the 45th Circuit Court.
Are Court Records Public In St. Joseph County
Court records in St. Joseph County are presumptively open to the public under Michigan law. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., establishes the right of members of the public to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by government bodies, including court administrative records. Additionally, Michigan Court Rule MCR 8.119 governs access to court case records and affirms that most records filed in Michigan courts are available for public inspection.
The following categories of records are generally accessible to the public:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Judgments, orders, and decrees issued by the court
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Probate filings, including wills admitted to probate
Members of the public should note that federal court records—maintained by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan—are governed by separate federal rules and are accessible through the PACER system, not through county-level offices. Certain state court records may be restricted or sealed by court order, including records involving minors, certain mental health proceedings, and cases subject to expungement under Michigan's Clean Slate law.
How To Find Court Records in St. Joseph County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in St. Joseph County may access them through several official channels. The process varies depending on the court and the type of record sought.
- Online search: Use the MiCOURT Case Search portal to locate case information for Circuit, District, and Probate Court matters statewide, including St. Joseph County.
- In-person inspection: Visit the County Clerk's office or the relevant court clerk's office during public counter hours to inspect physical case files.
- Written request: Submit a written public records request to the appropriate court clerk, identifying the case by name, case number, or approximate filing date.
- Certified copy requests: Requests for certified copies of judgments, orders, or other documents must be submitted to the clerk of the court where the case was filed, along with applicable fees.
When requesting records in person, requestors should bring identifying information about the case, such as the full names of the parties, the approximate year of filing, and the case number if known.
How To Look Up Court Records in St. Joseph County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to St. Joseph County court records. Members of the public may use these systems to search case information without visiting a courthouse in person.
MiCOURT Case Search (Michigan Courts) The primary statewide portal for court record searches is the Michigan Courts case search system, maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Court Administrative Office. This system provides access to case information from Circuit, District, and Probate Courts across Michigan, including St. Joseph County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name.
Steps to search:
- Navigate to the MiCOURT Case Search portal.
- Select the court type (Circuit, District, or Probate).
- Select St. Joseph County from the jurisdiction dropdown.
- Enter the party name or case number in the search fields.
- Review the case summary, docket entries, and available documents.
45th Circuit Court – County Clerk Division The County Clerk – 45th Circuit Court Division maintains the official record of all lawsuits and legal actions filed within the 45th Circuit Court. Civil, family, and criminal case records may be accessed through this office, either in person or by contacting the clerk directly.
St. Joseph County Clerk's Office The St. Joseph County Clerk manages court filings, maintains dockets, and ensures public access to case records as permitted by law and applicable Michigan court rules.
How To Search St. Joseph County Court Records for Free?
Michigan law and court rules currently guarantee members of the public the right to inspect court records at no charge. Under MCL § 15.234, a public body may charge a fee for providing copies of public records, but inspection of records in person must be permitted without a fee. The following resources are available at no cost:
- MiCOURT Case Search: The MiCOURT Case Search portal provides free online access to case summaries, docket entries, and basic case information for St. Joseph County courts.
- Michigan Courts case search: The Michigan Courts case and opinion search system is freely accessible to the public and does not require registration or payment to view case information.
- In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect physical court files at the County Clerk's office or the relevant court clerk's counter during regular business hours at no charge.
Fees apply when requesting certified copies, paper copies of documents, or transcripts of proceedings.
What's Included in a St. Joseph County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer and affirmative defenses
- Motions, briefs, and supporting exhibits
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment or decree
- Post-judgment filings, including appeals
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging documents (complaint, information, or indictment)
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Arraignment records and plea entries
- Pre-trial motion filings
- Trial transcripts (where available)
- Sentencing orders and conditions of probation
- Records of expungement or sealing, where applicable
Family Court Records:
- Divorce petition and response
- Custody and parenting time orders
- Child support orders and payment records
- Domestic relations orders
Probate Court Records:
- Petition for probate of estate
- Inventory of assets
- Guardianship and conservatorship orders
- Final accounting and order of discharge
Traffic Records:
- Citation information
- Hearing dates and outcomes
- Orders of suspension or restriction
How Long Does St. Joseph County Keep Court Records?
Michigan courts are required to retain court records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) under the authority of Michigan Court Rule MCR 8.119(D). Retention periods vary by record type and court level:
- Felony criminal case files: Retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files: Retained for a minimum of 7 years following case closure
- Civil case files (general): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
- Probate case files: Retained permanently for estate proceedings; guardianship records retained for a minimum of 7 years after termination
- Traffic case files: Retained for a minimum of 7 years
- Small claims records: Retained for a minimum of 7 years
- Judgment records: Retained permanently in most instances
Records subject to expungement orders under Michigan's Clean Slate legislation are handled in accordance with applicable court orders and statutory requirements, which may restrict public access to those files.
Types of Courts In St. Joseph County
St. Joseph County's judicial system operates within Michigan's unified court structure. The hierarchy proceeds from local trial courts through the Michigan Court of Appeals to the Michigan Supreme Court.
45th Circuit Court The 45th Circuit Court is the major trial court for St. Joseph County, handling felony criminal matters, civil cases exceeding $25,000, family law, and juvenile proceedings.
St. Joseph County Courthouse 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032 (269) 467-5500 45th Circuit Court – St. Joseph County Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
3B District Court The 3B District Court serves St. Joseph County and handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims up to $25,000, small claims, and traffic matters.
St. Joseph County District Court 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032 (269) 467-5500 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
St. Joseph County Probate Court The Probate Court handles estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health proceedings.
St. Joseph County Probate Court 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032 (269) 467-5500 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Michigan Court of Appeals The intermediate appellate court reviews decisions from circuit and probate courts.
Michigan Court of Appeals – Grand Rapids District State of Michigan Building, 350 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 456-1167 Michigan Court of Appeals
Michigan Supreme Court The court of last resort for all Michigan state court matters.
Michigan Supreme Court 925 W. Ottawa St., Lansing, MI 48915 (517) 373-0120 Michigan Supreme Court
What Types of Cases Do St. Joseph County Courts Hear?
Each court within St. Joseph County's judicial system exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases.
45th Circuit Court:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes involving amounts exceeding $25,000
- Divorce, legal separation, and annulment
- Child custody, parenting time, and support
- Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings
- Appeals from District Court decisions
3B District Court:
- Misdemeanor criminal offenses
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims disputes up to $7,000
- Traffic and ordinance violations
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Preliminary examinations in felony cases
Probate Court:
- Decedent estate administration (testate and intestate)
- Guardianship and conservatorship of minors and incapacitated adults
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Trust administration matters
How To Find a Court Docket In St. Joseph County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a case. Members of the public may access St. Joseph County court dockets through the following methods:
- Online: Use the MiCOURT Case Search portal to retrieve docket entries for cases filed in the 45th Circuit Court, 3B District Court, or Probate Court. Search by party name or case number and select the appropriate court and county.
- In-person: Visit the County Clerk – 45th Circuit Court Division at the St. Joseph County Courthouse during public counter hours to request docket sheets for specific cases.
- By telephone: Contact the clerk's office directly to inquire about case status and scheduled hearing dates.
Docket information available online typically includes case type, filing date, party names, attorney of record, scheduled hearing dates, and a summary of filed documents and court orders.
Which Courts in St. Joseph County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and which has the authority to fine or imprison for contempt. Under MCL § 600.101, Michigan's circuit courts, district courts, probate courts, and the Court of Appeals are all designated as courts of record.
At present, there are no courts operating within St. Joseph County that are formally classified as courts not of record under Michigan law. Historically, justice of the peace courts and certain municipal courts operated as courts not of record in Michigan, but these were abolished with the establishment of the unified district court system. All trial-level courts currently operating in St. Joseph County—the 45th Circuit Court, the 3B District Court, and the Probate Court—are courts of record, meaning their proceedings are officially transcribed or recorded and their judgments carry full legal effect.