Court records of St. Clair County, Michigan, are maintained by the county court clerk and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the court office. StClairMICourt.us is a convenient resource for starting a search for public court information. Additionally, you can use the MiCOURT Case Search portal, contact the court office, or refer to state databases to obtain records.
St. Clair Court System Overview
St. Clair County is part of the 31st Circuit Court, which exclusively serves this county. The Circuit Court is located in Port Huron, the county seat. In addition to the Circuit Court, residents are served by the 72nd District Court and the Probate Court.
The 72nd District Court has two locations: one in Port Huron and the other in Marine City. These courts handle various categories of cases according to the jurisdiction defined by Michigan law.
Courts Serving St. Clair
Residents of the county are served by several judicial instances at both the state and federal levels.
31st Circuit Court
72nd District Court — Port Huron
72nd District Court — Marine City
St. Clair County Probate Court
U.S. District Court — Eastern District of Michigan
Federal cases for county residents are handled by the Eastern District of Michigan. The nearest federal court is located in Detroit.
What Types of Cases St. Clair Courts Hear
The county courts hear a wide range of cases:
- Criminal cases — felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations
- Civil cases — claims of any amount, including small claims cases
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, protective orders
- Probate and guardianship — estate management, appointment of guardians and conservators
- Juvenile cases — juvenile offenses, child protection, adoption
- Administrative appeals and other proceedings
District Court Cases in St. Clair
The 72nd District Court is the court of first instance for most everyday legal matters. This includes misdemeanor cases, preliminary hearings for felonies, civil claims up to $25,000, and traffic violation cases. After a preliminary hearing, the district court judge decides if there is enough evidence to transfer a felony case to the 31st Circuit Court.
Cases are assigned to judges according to the court's internal rules. Electronic filing is available through the MiFILE system.
Magistrate Court Cases in St. Clair
In Michigan, magistrates at district courts can conduct arraignments, set bail, and handle minor offenses. In the 72nd District Court, the magistrate performs these functions.
The district court handles:
- Misdemeanors and civil infractions
- Preliminary hearings for felonies
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims up to $6,500 (according to Michigan law)
- DUI cases — arraignments and subsequent hearings
- Traffic violations
If the claim amount exceeds $25,000, the case should be filed with the Circuit Court.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in St. Clair
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, and paternity establishment are handled by the 31st Circuit Court. Personal Protection Order (PPO) petitions are also filed with this court, and a judge may issue a decision without the presence of the other party in urgent cases.
Probate and Guardianship
The county's Probate Court handles estate management for deceased individuals, appoints guardians for incapacitated persons and minors, conservatorships, and trust matters. You can contact them at (810) 985-2074.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile cases — offenses, child protection, and adoption — are handled by the family division of the Circuit Court. Juvenile case records are confidential under Michigan law and are not publicly accessible.
How Cases Move Through the St. Clair Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with the filing of a complaint or arrest warrant. A civil case starts with the filing of a complaint with the court office.
- Judge Assignment. The office assigns the case to a specific judge according to internal rules.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases, an arraignment is held where charges are read, and bail is set. In civil cases, a scheduling conference is held.
- Pretrial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions, and plea negotiations may occur in criminal cases.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a jury verdict, judge's decision, settlement, or guilty plea.
- Post-Judgment. Execution of the sentence, filing an appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals, or enforcing the court's decision.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in St. Clair
The administrative management of the county courts is carried out by the chief judge of the 31st Circuit Court in conjunction with the court administrator. Local court rules are published on the official Michigan court system website.
Under Michigan law, most court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed or expunged records, and certain family cases. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) governs access to public records of state agencies — for police records, for example, you can submit a FOIA request form.
Hearings are generally open to the public. Some sessions may be held remotely via video conferencing — check with the specific court office for availability.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in St. Clair
- Online Case Search. The MiCOURT Case Search portal allows you to search cases by party name or case number. Some criminal convictions are displayed only for the last seven years.
- Appellate Decisions and Supreme Court Orders. Available through the Cases, Opinions & Orders section on the Michigan courts website.
- Criminal History Check. The ICHAT tool from the Michigan State Police allows name-based checks. This is a paid service.
- Inmate Search. The OTIS system of the Michigan Department of Corrections provides information on individuals currently or formerly in state prison, on parole, or under supervision.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates can be ordered online through the Michigan Department of Health or by contacting the St. Clair City Clerk.
- FOIA Requests. For police records or state agency documents, use the FOIA procedure. The St. Clair City Police also accepts written requests.
- Property Register. The Register of Deeds for St. Clair County is located at 200 Grand River Avenue, Ste. 103, Port Huron.
- Electronic Document Filing. Documents can be filed electronically with county courts through the MiFILE platform.
- The StClairMICourt.us resource will help you navigate the available public court records of the county.