Court records in Genesee County, Michigan, are maintained by the county clerk's office and the clerks of the individual courts serving the county. GeneseeCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Genesee County. You can also access records through official state court portals such as MiCOURT Case Search, the Genesee County Clerk/Register of Deeds office, and the Genesee County Circuit Court Records portal.
Genesee County Court System Overview
Genesee County is served by Michigan's 7th Judicial Circuit Court, which is the court of general jurisdiction for the county. The 7th Circuit covers Genesee County exclusively. Circuit court records are maintained by the Legal Division of the Genesee County Clerk's Office. The county is also served by the 67th District Court, which handles lower-level criminal matters, civil disputes within its jurisdictional limits, and traffic cases. Both courts operate from facilities in downtown Flint. The Genesee County court information page provides additional details on court locations and divisions.
Courts Serving Genesee County
7th Judicial Circuit Court (Genesee County)
67th District Court
Genesee County Probate Court
U.S. District Court — Eastern District of Michigan (Flint Division)
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Eastern District of Michigan
Genesee County falls within the Eastern District of Michigan for federal cases. The Flint Division of the U.S. District Court handles federal matters arising in the county.
What Types of Cases Genesee County Courts Hear
Courts in Genesee County handle a broad range of case types across the circuit, district, and probate courts:
- Felony criminal cases
- Misdemeanors and infractions
- Civil litigation (general civil, contract disputes, personal injury)
- Small claims
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity
- Probate — estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts
- Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings
- Traffic violations and DUI/OWI cases
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Personal protection orders
District Court Cases in Genesee County
The 67th District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil actions up to $25,000, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, and traffic violations. It also conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases before they are bound over to the 7th Circuit Court. District judges preside over arraignments, set bail, and hear motions in criminal matters at the preliminary stage. Civil cases filed in the 67th District Court are assigned to a judge and proceed through scheduling conferences, discovery, and trial or settlement. The Pre-Trial and Warrant Division of the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office handles warrant requests and arraignments at the district court level.
Magistrate Court Cases in Genesee County
Michigan's district courts use magistrates to assist with certain functions. In Genesee County, magistrates within the 67th District Court may handle:
- Arraignments on misdemeanor charges
- Setting bail
- Issuing search warrants and arrest warrants
- Small claims cases (up to $6,500 under Michigan law)
- Traffic infractions and civil infractions
Under Michigan law, the general civil jurisdiction of the district court extends to claims up to $25,000. Small claims cases are capped at $6,500. Magistrates do not conduct felony trials but may preside over felony arraignments and set bond. In a high-volume court like the 67th District, magistrates handle a significant share of the initial processing of criminal and traffic matters.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Genesee County
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, parenting time, paternity, and personal protection orders are handled by the Family Division of the 7th Circuit Court. The Genesee County Friend of the Court office assists with enforcement and modification of family court orders. Forms can be submitted by mail to 630 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 2500, Flint, MI 48502, by fax at (810) 257-3244, or by email.
Probate
The Genesee County Probate Court handles decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust matters, and mental health commitments. The Probate Court operates from the Genesee County Courthouse at 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency cases and Child Protective Act proceedings are handled through the Family Division of the Circuit Court. Juvenile court records are confidential under Michigan law and are not available through public case search tools. Contact the Family Division directly for information about accessing juvenile records.
How Cases Move Through the Genesee County Court System
- Filing / Initiation: Criminal cases begin with a complaint or warrant issued by the prosecutor. Civil cases start with a complaint filed by the plaintiff. Family and probate matters are initiated by petition.
- Assignment to Judge: Cases are assigned to a specific judge or magistrate based on case type and the court's internal assignment system.
- Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants are arraigned and advised of charges. Civil parties attend a scheduling conference. Family cases may include an initial Friend of the Court conference.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and may engage in plea negotiations (criminal) or settlement discussions (civil).
- Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to jury or bench trial, guilty plea, settlement, consent judgment, or default.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing and possible appeal. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Family orders may be modified through the Friend of the Court.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Genesee County
The 7th Circuit Court is administered by the chief judge and a trial court administrator. The 67th District Court has its own chief judge and administrative staff. Local court rules for both courts govern filing procedures, motion practice, and scheduling.
Under Michigan law, most court records are presumptively open to the public. Michigan Court Rule 8.119 governs public access to court records, with specific exceptions for sealed records, juvenile cases, and certain personal identifying information. Requests for records not available online can be submitted through the Genesee County FOIA process under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.).
Hearings in Genesee County courts are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely by video or telephone — contact the specific court clerk's office for current policies on remote attendance.
Key Contact
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Genesee County
- MiCOURT Case Search: The MiCOURT Case Search portal allows online lookup of case information across Michigan courts, including Genesee Circuit Court, Genesee Family Division, and the 67th District Court. Some criminal conviction data may only display if sentencing occurred within seven years.
- Michigan Supreme Court Case Search: The Michigan Courts case search page provides access to appellate opinions and orders as well as trial court case searches.
- Circuit Court Records: The Genesee County Circuit Court Records page allows you to search by case number or browse alphabetically. Most circuit court files are available for in-person review at the Clerk's Legal Division.
- Court Forms: Official Michigan court forms are available through the State Court Administrative Office forms page.
- Criminal History Records: The Michigan State Police ICHAT system provides public criminal history record searches maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Center.
- Offender Search (OTIS): The Michigan MDOC Offender Tracking Information System allows searches for individuals currently or previously under state prison supervision.
- Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage records for events that occurred in Genesee County are available through the Genesee County Vital Records Division. Divorce records and statewide vital records can also be requested through the Michigan Vital Records office.
- Property and Land Records: The Genesee County Register of Deeds online search provides access to recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real property documents.
- Expungement Assistance: Michigan residents seeking to set aside certain convictions can find information through the Attorney General's Expungement Assistance program.
- FOIA Requests: Public records not available online may be requested through the Genesee County FOIA portal or through the Michigan State Police FOIA portal for state-level records.