Muskegon County was established in 1859 and named after Muskegon River, Michigan’s second longest river. The county’s seat, Muskegon City, is located along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and is popular for fishing and boating. Muskegon County has a land area of 503.9 square miles and an estimated population of 175,824 people.
Courts in Muskegon County
The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court is the highest trial court in Muskegon County. It hears all cases that are not within the jurisdiction of other courts. Its civil jurisdiction covers claims exceeding $25,000 in value. Likewise, the court has criminal jurisdiction over all felony cases and serious misdemeanors. The court also has a Family Division that adjudicates cases on divorce, child custody, adoptions, and other matters arising from domestic relations. The Family Division, in conjunction with the Friend of the Court, handles juvenile cases.
The 60th District Court is just below the Circuit Court in the Muskegon County court system. The District Court has jurisdiction over civil claims of not more than $25,000 and small claims not exceeding $7,000 in value. Other matters the court handles include traffic violations, landlord-tenant disputes, and misdemeanor cases. The court also conducts preliminary hearings for felony cases.
Lastly, Muskegon County has a Probate Court that handles cases on wills and trusts, administration of deceased estate, guardianships, and mental health.
Where to Find Public Court Records in Muskegon County
Records of the Circuit Court are in the custody of the Muskegon County Clerk. Interested persons can request these records from the clerk’s office in person or by sending a written request containing information about the case records by mail or email. Researchers can also request court records by calling and messaging (231) 724-6251. To obtain records of other courts in the county, contact the courthouse that heard the case. All Muskegon County court records are also available online on the county’s Case Search Portals.
Types of Public Court Records in Muskegon County
In the course of a court case, the parties often submit documents and other materials. Likewise, the court also generates information about the case. These materials are collectively known as court records. Unless a law limits access to them, court records in Muskegon County are open to the public. Some examples are:
- Civil case records
- Felony records
- Misdemeanor records
- Infraction case records
- Probate case records
Confidential Court Records in Muskegon County
Access to certain court records in Muskegon County is limited by statute or court order. Such records are made confidential to protect the parties or the sensitive information included in the materials. Some examples of confidential court records in Muskegon County include:
- Adoption records
- Fee waiver records
- Protective orders in criminal cases
- Records of domestic violence cases
- Juvenile records
Juvenile Delinquency in Muskegon, MI
Unfortunately, in many areas of the Muskegon 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 1150 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Muskegon County. Of that total, 83% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 959 court cases. Another 17% were dependency cases that accounted for 191 of the juvenile cases.
A lot of counties, including, Muskegon County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Muskegon County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.
| Juvenile Cases | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| Delinquency | 5,072 |
| Dependency | 5,708 |
| Status | 842 |
Government of Muskegon County, MI
| County Seat: | Muskegon |
| Government Type: | County |
| Authority: | Dillon's Rule |
| Year Organized: | 1859 |
| Total Square Miles: | 1,460 |
| 2019 Population: | 173,693 |
| Persons/Square Mile: | 0.01 |
| County Contact: | 990 Terrace St
County Courthouse Muskegon , MI 49442-3395 http://www.co.muskegon.mi.us |
Muskegon County, MI Courts
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Muskegon County Circuit Court
Address: 990 Terrace, Muskegon, MI 49442
Phone: 231-724-6251