Midland County Court Records
What Is Midland County Court Records
Court records in Midland County, Michigan, are the official documents generated and maintained by the county's judicial system in connection with legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and warrant information. Each document type serves a distinct function: docket sheets provide a chronological index of all filings and hearings in a case, while judgments and orders reflect the court's final or interim rulings.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained by Midland County. Property records, for example, are held by the County Register of Deeds, and vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the County Clerk or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are custodied by the clerk of the relevant court.
The following courts in Midland County currently maintain court records:
- 42nd Circuit Court — civil, criminal (felony), family, and juvenile matters
- 75th District Court — civil claims, misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and small claims
- Midland County Probate Court — estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings
- Family Division of the Circuit Court — domestic relations, child custody, and juvenile delinquency cases
Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, court records are defined as all documents, data, and information filed with or maintained by a court in connection with a judicial proceeding. This rule governs the creation, maintenance, and public accessibility of records across all Michigan trial courts, including those in Midland County.
Are Court Records Public In Midland County
Court records in Midland County are presumptively open to the public under Michigan law. The Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., establishes the general right of public access to government records in Michigan, while Michigan Court Rule 8.119 specifically governs access to judicial records. Under these provisions, members of the public may inspect most civil case files, criminal case files following the filing of charges, judgments and orders, docket sheets, and scheduled hearing information without demonstrating a particular need or interest.
Records that are routinely available to the public include:
- Civil case filings and judgments in matters heard by the Circuit and District Courts
- Criminal case files after formal charges have been filed
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Probate filings, including wills admitted to probate and estate inventories
- Traffic case dispositions and civil infraction records
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under current law. These include juvenile delinquency records, adoption records, mental health commitment records, records sealed by court order, and documents containing personal identifying information protected under MCL § 600.2163a. Federal court records, such as those from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, are governed separately by the federal E-Government Act of 2002 and are accessible through the federal PACER system rather than through county court offices.
The Midland County Courts page provides current information on court divisions and access procedures for records maintained locally.
How To Find Court Records in Midland County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Midland County may access them through several official channels. The method of access depends on the type of case, the court involved, and whether the requester needs certified copies or simple inspection.
In-Person Access:
- Visit the clerk's office of the relevant court during public counter hours
- Present a valid government-issued photo identification
- Provide the case number, party name, or approximate filing date to assist staff in locating the record
- Request inspection of the file or submit a written request for copies
- Pay any applicable copying or certification fees at the time of the request
By Mail:
- Submit a written request to the clerk of the appropriate court
- Include the case number or party names, the type of record requested, and a return mailing address
- Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees, or request a fee estimate in advance
Online:
- Use the MiCOURT Case Search portal to locate case information for matters filed in Michigan trial courts, including those in Midland County
- Search by party name, case number, or attorney name
By Phone:
- Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm record availability, hours, and fee schedules before visiting in person
How To Look Up Court Records in Midland County Online?
Online access to Midland County court records is currently available through the statewide MiCOURT platform and through court-specific resources maintained by the county. The primary portal for online case searches is the MiCOURT Case Search system, administered by the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Court Administrative Office. This system provides access to case information from all Michigan courts that participate in the statewide case management system.
Steps to search using MiCOURT Case Search:
- Navigate to the MiCOURT Case Search portal
- Select the court type or specific court (e.g., 42nd Circuit Court or 75th District Court)
- Enter a party name (last name, first name), case number, or attorney name in the designated search fields
- Review the list of matching results and select the relevant case
- View available case details, including docket entries, hearing dates, and case status
The 75th District Court and the 42nd Circuit Court maintain informational pages on the Midland County website that describe available divisions and filing procedures. Detailed case documents beyond docket-level information may require an in-person visit or a formal records request to the clerk's office.
How To Search Midland County Court Records for Free?
Michigan law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect public court records at no charge. Under MCL § 15.234, a public body may charge a fee only for the actual cost of duplication; inspection of records in person does not require payment of any fee. This statutory guarantee applies to court records maintained by Midland County's trial courts.
The following options are currently available at no cost:
- In-person inspection at the clerk's office of the 42nd Circuit Court or 75th District Court — no fee is charged for viewing records on-site
- MiCOURT Case Search — the statewide online portal provides free access to case-level information, including party names, case numbers, hearing dates, and docket entries
- Docket sheet review — members of the public may review docket sheets without charge at the courthouse
Fees are assessed only when certified copies, paper reproductions, or electronic copies of specific documents are requested. The fee schedule is established by each court and is available at the clerk's counter.
What's Included in a Midland County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but Midland County court records generally include the following categories of documents:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint, answer, and responsive pleadings
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Court orders and judgments
- Proof of service documents
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when ordered)
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging documents (complaint, information, or indictment)
- Arrest warrant and bond information
- Plea agreements
- Sentencing orders and presentence investigation reports (subject to access restrictions)
- Probation conditions and violation records
Family and Domestic Relations Records:
- Divorce judgments and property settlement agreements
- Child custody and parenting time orders
- Child support orders and payment histories
- Personal protection orders (PPOs)
Probate Records:
- Petitions for probate of estate
- Wills admitted to probate
- Inventories and accountings
- Guardianship and conservatorship orders
Traffic and Civil Infraction Records:
- Citation information and violation details
- Hearing dates and dispositions
- Driver responsibility assessments
How Long Does Midland County Keep Court Records?
Midland County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) under the authority of the Michigan Supreme Court. Retention periods vary by record type and case classification.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
- Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of 7 years following case closure
- Civil case files (Circuit Court) — retained for a minimum of 10 years
- Small claims case files — retained for a minimum of 5 years
- Probate records — retained permanently for matters involving decedents' estates; guardianship and conservatorship records retained for a minimum of 7 years after termination
- Traffic and civil infraction records — retained for a minimum of 3 years
- Juvenile records — subject to special retention and destruction rules under MCL § 712A.28, with certain records eligible for expungement upon petition
The SCAO publishes the official Trial Court Records Management Standards, which govern retention and disposal of all trial court records statewide. Courts are prohibited from destroying records prior to the expiration of the applicable retention period without authorization from the SCAO.
Types of Courts In Midland County
Midland County's judicial system is organized within Michigan's unified trial court structure. The court hierarchy proceeds from the District Court (limited jurisdiction) through the Circuit Court (general jurisdiction) to the Michigan Court of Appeals and, at the apex, the Michigan Supreme Court.
42nd Circuit Court
Midland County Courthouse 301 W. Main St., Midland, MI 48640 (989) 832-6840 42nd Circuit Court
Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction and handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $25,000, family law proceedings, and juvenile matters through its Family Division.
75th District Court
Midland County Courthouse 301 W. Main St., Midland, MI 48640 (989) 832-6850 75th District Court
Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The District Court exercises limited jurisdiction over civil claims up to $25,000, misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims matters, and landlord-tenant proceedings.
Midland County Probate Court
Midland County Courthouse 301 W. Main St., Midland, MI 48640 (989) 832-6820 Midland County Courts
Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Probate Court has jurisdiction over decedents' estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings.
What Types of Cases Do Midland County Courts Hear?
Each court within Midland County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by Michigan statute.
42nd Circuit Court hears:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil cases involving claims exceeding $25,000
- Domestic relations matters, including divorce, custody, and support
- Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings (Family Division)
- Appeals from the District Court
75th District Court hears:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases and ordinance violations
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims matters up to $7,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes and eviction proceedings
- Traffic violations and civil infractions
- Preliminary examinations in felony cases
All criminal cases prosecuted within Midland County are initially filed at the criminal division of the 75th District Court, which processes misdemeanor cases to final disposition and conducts preliminary examinations for felony matters before binding them over to the Circuit Court.
Midland County Probate Court hears:
- Decedents' estates and will contests
- Trusts and fiduciary matters
- Guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Involuntary mental health treatment petitions
How To Find a Court Docket In Midland County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a case. Members of the public may access Midland County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Search:
- Use the MiCOURT Case Search portal to retrieve docket information for cases filed in the 42nd Circuit Court, 75th District Court, and Probate Court
- Search by party name, case number, or filing date range
- Docket entries display the date of each filing or hearing, the document type, and the judicial officer involved
In-Person Search:
- Visit the clerk's office at the Midland County Courthouse, 301 W. Main St., Midland, MI 48640
- Request access to the public case index terminals, which are available during regular business hours
- Provide the case number or party name to retrieve the docket sheet
By Phone:
- Contact the clerk's office of the relevant court to confirm case status or obtain a docket entry count before visiting in person
Docket sheets are available for public inspection at no charge. Printed copies are subject to the applicable per-page fee established by the court.
Which Courts in Midland County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and capable of being reviewed on appeal. Under MCL § 600.101, Michigan's courts of record include the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Circuit Court, the Probate Court, and the District Court. All of these courts maintain permanent records of their proceedings and are subject to appellate review.
At present, Midland County does not operate any municipal courts or magistrate courts that function as courts not of record. Michigan eliminated most municipal courts through the District Court Act of 1968, which consolidated limited-jurisdiction courts into the statewide District Court system. As a result, all trial-level courts currently operating in Midland County — the 42nd Circuit Court, the 75th District Court, and the Probate Court — are courts of record under Michigan law.
Administrative hearings conducted by county agencies or boards are not judicial proceedings and do not constitute courts of record. Records from such proceedings are maintained by the relevant administrative body rather than by the court clerk.