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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
Circuit Court Clerks
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
District Court Traffic
Fax: 517-543-1469 Phone: 517-543-3359
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
Probate Court
Email: probateoffice@eatoncounty.org
Phone: 517-543-7500 ext.1276, 1277, 1278
Link to Probate Court webpage:
https://mi-eatoncounty.civicplus.com/451/Probate-Court
Payment for filings can be made at:
www.govpaynow.com Enter PLC# 8881
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
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Janice K. Cunningham
Chief Judge
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John D. Maurer
Circuit Judge
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Amy Etzel
Trial Court Administrator
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Kathleen Brooks
Deputy Trial Court Administrator
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Circuit Court
Physical Address
1045 Independence Boulevard
Suite 200
Charlotte, MI 48813