Created in 1831, Clinton County is a county located in the State of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the county was estimated to have a population of 79,128 people and 33,518 housing units.
Courts in Clinton County
Clinton County, Michigan, is home to four courts, including the Circuit Court, District Court, Juvenile Court, and Probate Court.
The highest court in Clinton County, the Circuit Court, maintains a standard jurisdiction that covers both civil and criminal cases in general. The court hears criminal cases related to juvenile delinquencies, felonies, and lesser-included offenses. The court also hears civil cases, including general civil claims where the amount in dispute exceeds $25,000, equity cases, etc.
The Circuit Court includes a special Family Division that hears juvenile or domestic relations cases. This division handles cases such as child protection, paternity, and adoption.
The District Court has a limited overall jurisdiction that covers specific varieties of civil and criminal cases. Criminal cases mostly heard by the court include misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the beginning hearings covering felony cases. Civil cases handled by the court include nearly all general claims of civil matters worth under $25,000 in dispute. The court also maintains a special Small Claims section that manages nearly all civil cases with values of less than $5,000 in dispute.
The Juvenile Court handles cases relating to juvenile delinquency, juvenile guardianships, termination of parental rights, etc.
The Probate Court has jurisdiction over cases related to any adoptions, the probate of wills, estate administration, handling of trusts, and name changes, as well as protecting individuals suffering from physical or mental impairment conditions.
Where to Find Public Court Records in Clinton County
The County Clerk’s Office serves as the keeper of public court records in the county. To access court records, interested individuals can visit the office in person to submit a request form or send a mail to the office. Alternatively, court records after July 1996 are available online and can be accessed by individuals with a few clicks.
Types of Public Court Records in Clinton County
Unless restricted by statutory provisions or court records, the following court records are made public in Clinton County:
- Criminal Court Records
- Divorce Records
- Grand Jury Reports
- Probate Records
- Civil Court Records
Confidential Court Records in Clinton County
Confidential court records are records restricted from public access. For such records, only the parties involved, their attorneys, and authorized government officials are allowed access to the records. Examples of these records include:
- Sexual Assault Victim Records
- Alcohol and Drug Treatments
- Psychiatric Records
- Child Support Records
- Grand Jury Proceedings Record
Juvenile Delinquency in Clinton, MI
Unfortunately, in many areas of the Clinton County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Michigan often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.
In 2017, a total of 134 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Clinton County. Of that total, 87% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 117 court cases. Another 13% were dependency cases that accounted for 17 of the juvenile cases.
A lot of counties, including, Clinton County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Clinton County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.
| Juvenile Cases | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| Delinquency | 3,763 |
| Dependency | 774 |
| Status | 71 |
Government of Clinton County, MI
| County Seat: | Saint Johns |
| Government Type: | County |
| Authority: | Dillon's Rule |
| Year Organized: | 1831 |
| Total Square Miles: | 575 |
| 2019 Population: | 78,443 |
| Persons/Square Mile: | 0.01 |
| County Contact: | 100 E State St Ste 2100
County Courthouse Saint Johns , MI 48879-1582 https://www.clinton-county.org/ |