Jackson County, Michigan, is named for U.S. President Andrew Jackson and is regarded as the place where the Republican Party began. According to data recorded by the Census Bureau, the county has an estimated population of 160,366 people and a land area of 701.9 square miles. It was founded in 1829.

Courts in Jackson County

The Jackson County judicial system is composed of Circuit, District, Family, and Probate Courts.

The Jackson County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. It handles all cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. Some of the criminal cases this court handles include general civil claims for more than $25,000 and criminal cases relating to felonies.

The Circuit Court also has a Family Division that handles cases relating to paternity, divorce, adoptions, juvenile guardianship, juvenile delinquencies, and other related matters. 

The District Court has limited jurisdiction over some types of criminal and civil cases. It handles civil cases that include landlord-tenant relations and general civil cases with less than $25,000 in dispute. It also handles all preliminary hearings for felony cases and misdemeanors.

The Family Court handles cases relating to divorce, child custody, child support, annulment, and other related matters.

The Probate Court handles probate cases such as wills, trusts, administration of the deceased's estate, the appointment of guardians and conservators, and so on.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Jackson County

Jackson County courts generally make their records available to the public. These records are kept and maintained by the Office of the Jackson County Clerk. To access court records, interested persons can visit the clerk’s office in person at:

312 S. Jackson Street

120 W. Michigan Avenue

Jackson, MI 49201

Alternatively, Jackson County maintains an online directory that provides access to some court records. Interested persons can search the directory for cases they want to access. 

Types of Public Court Records in Jackson County

The Public Record Act mandates that court records be made public to ensure transparency and accountability. Some of these public court records include:

• Criminal Court Records
• Civil Court Records
• Court Judgment and Orders
• Domestic Cases
• Probate Cases

Confidential Court Records in Jackson County

Some court records are withheld from the public at the discretion of the courts or by virtue of the provisions of law.  Only the parties involved, their attorneys, or legal teams have access to such confidential records. Some confidential court records in Jackson County include:

• Child Support Records
• Adoption Records
• Child Abuse and Neglect Records
• Custody and Visitation Records
• Sexual Assault Victim Records.

Juvenile Delinquency in Jackson, MI

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Jackson County, juvenile delinquency issues are on the rise. There are many reasons for the rise in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Michigan often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of crimes, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 722 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Of that total, 75% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 541 court cases. Another 25% were dependency cases that accounted for 181 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Jackson County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Jackson County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Jackson County, MI

https://www.michigan.gov/

County Seat:	Jackson
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1832
Total Square Miles:	723
2019 Population:	158,640
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	120 W Michigan Ave County Courthouse Jackson , MI 49201-1338 https://www.co.jackson.mi.us/

Jackson County, MI Courts