Search Macomb County Court Dockets
Macomb County court dockets are managed by the 16th Circuit Court and the County Clerk's Office in Mt. Clemens. As one of Michigan's largest counties, Macomb has a high-volume court system serving communities including Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and Macomb Township. This page covers how to search Macomb County court dockets, request records, and understand what the system contains.
Macomb County Overview
Macomb County 16th Circuit Court
The 16th Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction for Macomb County. It sits at 40 N Main Street in Mt. Clemens and handles a very large caseload for one of Michigan's most populated counties. The court has separate divisions for civil, criminal, family, and juvenile matters. The Probate Court is a separate institution with its own judge and records, headed by Chief Probate Judge James M. Biernat Jr.
The Macomb County government website at macombgov.org covers county services and links to court information, department contacts, and local resources for residents.
The 16th Circuit processes a high volume of cases daily. Civil cases include commercial disputes, personal injury suits, and property matters. Criminal cases run from felony arraignments through trials and sentencing. The Family Division handles divorce, custody, support, and adoptions. Deputy Court Administrator John D. Brennan manages day-to-day court operations.
| Circuit Court Address | 40 N Main St, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Phone | (586) 469-1500 |
| Probate Court Phone | (586) 469-5290 |
| Probate Fax | (586) 783-0971 |
| Court Administrator | (586) 469-5075 |
| County Website | macombgov.org |
Search Macomb County Court Records Online
The main online tool for Macomb County court dockets is the Michigan Courts Case Search portal at courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. This free statewide system covers the 16th Circuit Court and the district courts serving Macomb County communities. Search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. Results show the Register of Actions, which is the complete docket record for the case.
The Michigan Courts Case Search portal is the most comprehensive option. It covers the 16th Circuit along with all other Michigan circuit courts in a single search. Use the advanced search function to filter results by county and case type if you want to narrow your search to Macomb County cases only.
Online search results for Macomb County court dockets are for reference only and are not official court records. They should not be used for employment screening or background checks.
Requesting Macomb County Court Records
Records from the Macomb County 16th Circuit Court can be requested in person or by mail. In-person requests are handled at 40 N Main Street in Mt. Clemens during business hours. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. Staff can pull case files, make copies, and certify documents on the spot.
Mail requests go to the Circuit Court Clerk at 40 N Main St, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043. Include a written description of the records needed, the case number, party names, and payment for estimated fees. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $10.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. The court accepts checks and money orders by mail.
For probate records, contact the Macomb County Probate Court separately at (586) 469-5290. The Probate Court fax is (586) 783-0971. Probate records include estate proceedings, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health cases. Some probate records are restricted from public access, including certain mental health proceedings and filed documents without proof of service.
In-person searches at courthouse public access terminals are free. You can view case indexes and check case status without any charge. Fees only apply when you request physical copies or certified documents.
Types of Cases in Macomb County Dockets
Macomb County is a large metropolitan county, and the 16th Circuit handles a wide range of case types. Civil cases include personal injury lawsuits, breach of contract disputes, real estate matters, and appeals from district court. Criminal cases include all felony charges from arraignment through sentencing, including appeals. The Family Division handles all divorce, custody, child support, and paternity matters for the county.
Juvenile court in Macomb County handles delinquency cases (charges against minors), child protective proceedings (neglect and abuse cases), and adoptions. Juvenile records are generally confidential under MCL 600.1750. Some juvenile records can be accessed by parties to the case but are not public records in the same way that adult civil and criminal records are.
District courts in Macomb County (including the 37th District Court in Warren, the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights, and others) handle misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, and civil claims under $25,000. District court dockets are also searchable through the statewide portal. If you are looking for a misdemeanor or traffic case, start with the district court search.
Note: Personal protection orders in Macomb County are not available online under MCR 3.705. If you need a PPO record, contact the issuing court directly. HYTA cases and records expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate Law are also removed from public searches.
Macomb County Court Records and the Community
Macomb County serves communities across a wide geographic area northeast of Detroit. Major cities like Warren, Sterling Heights, and Clinton Township all file cases through the 16th Circuit Court. The district courts in each city handle the day-to-day misdemeanor and traffic caseload, while felony cases go up to the circuit level in Mt. Clemens.
The court system continues to modernize. More records may become available online over time. For current cases, the state portal is usually up to date. For older cases, contact the clerk directly.
The MiFILE electronic filing system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/ handles e-filing for Macomb County courts. Most attorneys are required to use e-filing for circuit court submissions. Self-represented parties can also use MiFILE in courts that are enrolled in the system. This can be faster than mailing paper documents and provides email confirmation of receipt.
Restricted Records and Legal Help
Michigan court rules restrict certain case types in Macomb County from online access. MCR 3.705 keeps PPO records off the online system. MCL 600.1750 makes juvenile records confidential. The Holmes Youthful Trainee Act seals youth criminal cases. Michigan's Clean Slate Law of 2020 adds automatic expungement for qualifying convictions. First-time drug offenses under MCL 333.7411 are also excluded from public online searches.
For official background checks in Macomb County, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT. This service costs $10.00 per search and returns official criminal history data. Court docket records are not a substitute for ICHAT when a formal background check is required.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides for people who need to navigate Macomb County courts without a lawyer. SCAO court forms are available at no charge at courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/. Both resources are useful for self-represented parties in civil, family, or probate matters.
Cities in Macomb County
Macomb County is in the Detroit metro area and includes several large cities. The following qualifying cities have their own pages on this site.
Other communities in Macomb County include Mt. Clemens (county seat), Roseville, Eastpointe, Shelby Township, Chesterfield Township, and others. These communities also file cases through the 16th Circuit Court and the district courts in the county.
Nearby Counties
Macomb County borders several other metro Detroit counties. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check where you live or where the incident took place.