Calhoun County Court Dockets
Calhoun County court dockets are maintained by the County Clerk in Marshall. The 4th Circuit Court, shared with Branch County, handles civil, criminal, and family cases for Calhoun County residents. Search dockets online through the Michigan Courts statewide portal or contact the clerk's office in Marshall to request copies, view the Register of Actions, and access full case files from the 4th Circuit Court.
Calhoun County Overview
Calhoun County 4th Circuit Court
The Calhoun County Clerk's office is at 315 W. Green Street in Marshall. County Clerk Kimberly Hinley runs the office and serves as the clerk for the 4th Circuit Court in Calhoun County. The 4th Circuit is shared with Branch County. Each county handles its own docket records. Calhoun County is the more populous of the two and has a larger caseload than Branch County. Records requests should go to the county where the case was filed.
The clerk's office handles court filings, maintains the Register of Actions for each case, and processes requests for copies and certified documents. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The courthouse is in downtown Marshall. Calhoun County includes Battle Creek, which is the largest city in the county and generates a significant share of the circuit court's caseload.
Detailed contact information and county services are available at the Calhoun County website.
| Court | 4th Circuit Court - Calhoun County |
|---|---|
| Address | 315 W. Green Street, Marshall, MI 49068 |
| Phone | (269) 781-0707 |
| Fax | (269) 781-0703 |
| kahinley@calhouncountymi.gov | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| County Clerk | Kimberly Hinley |
Searching Calhoun County Court Dockets Online
The Michigan Courts Case Search is the right tool for finding Calhoun County court dockets online. This free statewide portal covers all 57 Michigan Circuit Courts, including the 4th Circuit in Calhoun County. Enter a party name, case number, or attorney to search. Results show case status, docket entries, and party names. No login or fee is required.
For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 315 W. Green Street in Marshall. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search case indexes during business hours. Staff can help you locate the right terminal but cannot search on your behalf. Bring the party name or case number for a faster search. If the case involves Battle Creek, it may still be filed in Marshall since that is where the circuit court sits.
The Calhoun County website above provides information about the clerk's office, courthouse location, and services available for court docket searches in the 4th Circuit Court.
Online results from the Michigan Courts portal are not official records. They give you basic case information and docket history. For legal purposes, certified copies from the clerk are what you need. Keep in mind that Calhoun County may limit access to some older criminal records under Michigan's Clean Slate Law as expungement processing continues.
Note: Michigan's Clean Slate Law may affect public access to some criminal case records in Calhoun County. Contact the clerk at (269) 781-0707 if you cannot find a record you expect to see.
Getting Copies of Calhoun County Court Records
Calhoun County court records are available in person or by mail. For in-person visits, go to 315 W. Green Street in Marshall during weekday business hours. Bring the case name and number. Staff will locate the file and make copies. For mail requests, write to the clerk at the same address. State the case name, case number, and the documents you want. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment.
Standard copies are typically $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Call (269) 781-0707 before sending payment to confirm the current fee schedule. Make checks or money orders payable to the Calhoun County Clerk. Allow several business days for mail requests to be processed and returned.
Michigan's standard court forms are available free at the SCAO forms page. These work for filings and record requests at any Michigan court. For historical records from the Archives, contact the Archives of Michigan. Research fees start at $15. For free legal help, visit Michigan Legal Help.
Calhoun County Docket Records and Access
The 4th Circuit Court in Calhoun County handles four types of cases: civil, criminal, family, and probate. Civil cases involve disputes between people or businesses. Criminal cases cover felonies and serious offenses. Family cases include divorce, custody, and support. Probate cases handle estates and guardianships. All of these generate a Register of Actions that tracks every step in the case from filing to final order.
Most records in the 4th Circuit Court are public. Anyone can ask to see them. Public access rights come from MCR 8.119, the Michigan Court Rule that governs record access statewide. Courts must also remove protected personal information from documents before releasing them. However, some case types are restricted: juvenile cases, PPO cases, HYTA cases, and first-time drug offense dispositions are all shielded from full public access.
The MiFILE e-filing system is available for attorneys and qualifying self-represented parties in the 4th Circuit. MiFILE lets you file documents electronically and receive email notifications when new activity is posted to the docket. For criminal history background checks, always use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system.
Cities in Calhoun County
Calhoun County does not have qualifying cities above the population threshold for individual city pages. Battle Creek and Marshall are the main communities. All 4th Circuit Court filings for Calhoun County cases are handled by the clerk's office in Marshall.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Calhoun County in south-central Michigan. Calhoun shares the 4th Circuit Court with Branch County.