Macomb Township Court Docket Records
Macomb Township court dockets are handled through the 41A District Court Shelby Division and the Macomb County Circuit Court. You can look up case records online through Michigan's free case search portal or by contacting the court directly. This page covers how to find, access, and request court docket records for cases tied to Macomb Township.
Macomb Township Overview
Which Court Handles Macomb Township Cases
Macomb Township does not have its own municipal courthouse. Court cases for township residents are split between two courts depending on the type. District court matters go to the 41A District Court Shelby Division. Felony trials and most civil cases over $25,000 go to the Macomb County Circuit Court. Knowing which court has your case is the first step in finding the right docket.
The 41A District Court Shelby Division is located at 52420 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township. This court serves Macomb Township, Shelby Township, and the City of Utica. It handles traffic offenses, criminal misdemeanors, small claims, civil cases up to $25,000, and drunk driving matters. The 41A-1 Sterling Heights Division at 40111 Dodge Park in Sterling Heights handles cases from that city. If your case involves a felony, it will move to the Macomb County Circuit Court after the probable cause hearing in the district court.
| 41A District Court (Shelby Division) | 52420 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, MI 48316 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (586) 739-7325 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Walk-In Arraignments | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:00 - 10:00 AM |
| Fax | (586) 726-4555 |
Note: Walk-in arraignments are handled on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings with check-in between 8:00 and 10:00 AM. Magistrate Alayan typically presides over these sessions.
Search Macomb Township Court Dockets Online
The free way to look up Macomb Township court dockets is through Michigan Courts Case Search. This state portal covers circuit courts and appellate courts across Michigan. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show case status, party names, and docket entries. Document images are not available through this system, but it gives you enough to know if a case exists and where it stands.
For cases in the 41A District Court, contact the court directly at (586) 739-7325. District court cases are not always fully visible in the statewide portal. If you need to file documents electronically, check whether the 41A court is listed on the MiFILE available courts list.
When you search, have the full name of one party or a case number ready. Partial name searches work but return more results. Date of birth helps narrow criminal searches. Court staff cannot do the search for you through the online portal, but they can assist in person during business hours.
The Michigan Courts portal at courts.michigan.gov is the starting point for most statewide searches. The main search portal offers a clean interface for finding circuit and appellate cases. Below is a view of the Michigan Courts main portal page.
The portal is available at no charge. Use the advanced search option to filter by court, date, or case type when you get too many results.
Note: Personal Protection Order (PPO) case records are not available through online search under MCR 3.705. Visit the court in person to review these records.
How to Request Macomb Township Court Records
To get copies of Macomb Township court docket records, you have three options: in person, by mail, or online for basic case info. Each method works, and the right choice depends on how fast you need the records and whether you need certified copies.
In-person requests are the most direct. Go to the 41A District Court Shelby Division at 52420 Van Dyke Ave. during business hours. Staff can look up your case and make copies on the spot. Bring your case number or the full name of a party. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Pay with cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. A third-party processing fee may apply for card payments.
Mail requests work for most record types. Write a letter that includes the case number, party names, case type, and approximate filing year. Include payment for the copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send it to 52420 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, MI 48316. Processing time varies, so contact the court first if you have a deadline.
Records from before July 31, 2014 may need special handling under Michigan's Automatic Clean Slate laws. If you are looking for older records, call the court at (586) 739-7325 before submitting your request to confirm availability. Standard copy fees run $1-2 per page; certified copies typically add another $10 or more per document.
Note: Court fees are subject to change. Always confirm the current fee schedule with the court before submitting payment.
Macomb County Circuit Court and Dockets
The Macomb County Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $25,000, and family law matters for all of Macomb County including Macomb Township. It sits at 40 N. Main Street in Mount Clemens. This is the 16th Judicial Circuit. If a case started in the district court as a felony charge and was bound over after a probable cause hearing, the docket moves to the circuit court from that point forward.
Macomb County circuit court dockets are searchable through the statewide Michigan Courts Case Search portal. You can also visit the Macomb County courts page at macombgov.org for links to court divisions and clerk offices. The county official website lists contact numbers, court hours, and records request procedures for all divisions.
For background checks and criminal history inquiries that go beyond what public court search tools show, the Michigan State Police runs the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Each search costs $10 and covers criminal convictions statewide. This is separate from the court docket system and is the proper tool for formal criminal history checks.
The Macomb County official website provides links to court divisions, the clerk's office, and resources for accessing court records for Macomb Township cases.
What a Court Docket Contains
A court docket is the official log of events in a case. In Michigan, this is called the Register of Actions (ROA). Every filing, hearing, order, and outcome gets an entry. You can see dates, what happened, and what was filed without getting the actual documents. The ROA is public for most case types under MCR 8.119.
Common entries in a Macomb Township court docket include complaint filings, summons issuance, scheduling orders, motion hearings, trial dates, and final judgments. In criminal cases, you also see arraignment dates, bond conditions, and sentencing records. The court does redact personal identifying information before releasing records under MCR 8.119(H)(5).
Some records do not appear in public dockets. Juvenile cases, records sealed under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA), and certain first-time drug offenses under MCL 333.7411 are not publicly accessible online. Personal protection orders (PPOs) are also excluded from online search under MCR 3.705.
Michigan's 2020 Clean Slate Law adds another layer. Records from before July 31, 2014 that qualify for automatic expungement may be removed from public view. If you can't find an older case that you know existed, automatic expungement may be the reason.
Legal Resources for Macomb Township Residents
If you need help understanding your court docket or navigating the court process, several resources are available. Michigan Legal Help offers free guides on court procedures, how to read a docket, and how to file forms without a lawyer. The site covers a wide range of case types including family, civil, and criminal matters.
Court forms for most case types are available free through the Michigan SCAO forms library. These are the official forms used statewide. You can download and complete them before going to the court. The 41A District Court website at shelbytwp.org also lists forms and procedures specific to that court. If you need help filing, MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov allows electronic submissions for participating courts.
Note: Michigan Legal Help cannot represent you in court, but it provides detailed plain-language guides that explain your rights and the steps involved in common court matters.
Nearby Cities
Other major cities near Macomb Township also have court docket information available. These cities are served by courts in the same Macomb and Oakland county systems.
Macomb County Court Records
Macomb Township falls under Macomb County jurisdiction for circuit court cases. The county page covers the 16th Circuit Court, county clerk information, and all courts serving township residents. For full county-level resources, visit the Macomb County court dockets page.