Circuit Court

**Effective November 18, 2020**

Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, 

Eaton County Trial Courts are CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

A drop box is available inside the front doors of the courthouse during business hours.  

When alternative methods of conducting business are unavailable or impractical, a scheduled appointment may be made with the appropriate court department.   Information on conducting court business can be found below for all court departments.    

Members of the public are required to wear face coverings to the extent they can medically tolerate it.  Masks will be provided by the court prior to entry.

Eaton County Return to Full Capacity Amended Phase 2

            Email:  circuitcourtclerk@eatoncounty.org to submit pleadings                  electronically.

            Phone:  517-543-4346

            Link to Circuit Court Clerks Office website:

http://www.eatoncounty.org/162/Circuit-Court-Clerk

District Court Civil

            Email:  districtcourtcivil@eatoncounty.org to submit pleadings electronically.

            Phone:  517-543-4064 

            Link to District Court Civil Office website:

http://www.eatoncounty.org/391/District-Court-Civil

Payment for filings can be made at:

www.govpaynow.com            Enter PLC# 8882

Filing fee chart:  Filing Fee Chart

District Court Criminal

            Fax:     517-543-1469                         Phone:  517-543-4029

            Link to District Court Criminal website:

https://mi-eatoncounty.civicplus.com/432/District-Court-Criminal

Online payments can be made at:  www.govpaynow.com            

Enter PLC# 6701

Email: districtcourt@eatoncounty.org

Online payments can be made at:  www.govpaynow.com                

Enter PLC# 6701

Traffic Ticket Pricing Chart:  Traffic Ticket Pricing 

Link to District Court Traffic webpage:

https://mi-eatoncounty.civicplus.com/438/District-Court-Traffic

Email:             traffic@eatoncounty.org

Friend of the Court 

            Phone:             517-543-6850

            Link to Friend of the Court webpage:

Juvenile Court 

            Phone:             517-543-6003

            Link to Friend of the Court webpage:

https://mi-eatoncounty.civicplus.com/359/Juvenile-Court

History

The Circuit Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction established by the Michigan Constitution of 1908. At one time the Circuit consisted of Eaton, Barry and Calhoun Counties and later Barry and Eaton Counties. 

In 1991, the Circuit Court was split ,and Eaton County became a separate circuit, the 56th Circuit Court.

Judges & Jurisdiction

The Circuit Court has two judges. Honorable Janice K. Cunningham and Honorable John D. Maurer are the present Circuit Court Judges. The Court has original jurisdiction over: 

• All cases involving equitable remedies
• All civil cases over $25,000
• All criminal felonies and high court misdemeanors
• All domestic relations cases
• Appellate review of District and some state administrative agencies
• All juvenile matters previously with the Probate Court

Family Division

In 1998 the Eaton County Family Division of the Circuit Court was created. The Family Division now has jurisdiction over all domestic cases and juvenile matters under the concept of One Judge-One Family.

Probate Judge Thomas Byerley is assigned to the Family Division and with the two circuit judges, hears all cases involving families. 

Records Search

The Michigan Courts online case search includes records for the following types of cases:

• All civil cases over $25,000
• All criminal felonies and high court misdemeanors
• All domestic relations cases
• Appellate review of District and some state administrative agencies

The search does not include the following:

• District Court records, such as 
  • Small claims
  • Civil cases up to $25,000
  • Civil infractions/traffic cases
  • Felony arraignments and preliminary examinations
  • Landlord-tenant cases
  • Misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail
• Probate Court records, such as
  • Abuse/neglect and adoption cases
  • Guardianships and mental health commitment petitions
  • Juvenile matters
  • Wills and estates