Court records of Shiawassee County, Michigan, are maintained by the county court clerk and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the court office. ShiawasseeCourt.us is a convenient resource for searching public information about county court cases. Additionally, you can use the MiCOURT Case Search portal, the MiFILE electronic filing system, or visit the court office in Corunna in person.
Shiawassee Court System Overview
Shiawassee County is part of the 35th Circuit Court, which exclusively serves this county. The Circuit Court handles criminal cases involving serious offenses, large civil claims, and appeals from lower courts. In addition, residents are served by the 66th District Court, which has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, small claims, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. The Shiawassee County Probate Court handles matters of inheritance, guardianship, and conservatorship. All three courts are located in the courthouse in the city of Corunna.
Courts Serving Shiawassee
| Court | Address and Contacts |
|---|---|
| 35th Circuit Court | 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817 |
| 66th District Court | 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817 |
| Shiawassee County Probate Court | 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817 |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (federal jurisdiction) | 600 Church St., Flint, MI 48502 |
There are no municipal courts within the county — all local-level cases are handled by the 66th District Court.
What Types of Cases Shiawassee Courts Hear
The county courts handle a wide range of cases. Briefly:
- Criminal: felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil: general claims, small claims
- Family law: divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders
- Probate: inheritance, guardianship, conservatorship, trusts
- Juvenile: cases involving minors, child protection, adoption
- Traffic: traffic violations, driving under the influence (DUI)
Details regarding the jurisdiction of each court are provided below.
District Court Cases in Shiawassee
The 66th District Court is the first instance for most county residents. The district court judge handles all misdemeanors, civil cases up to $25,000, small claims, and traffic violations. Preliminary examinations in felony cases are also conducted here; if the judge finds sufficient grounds, the case is transferred to the 35th Circuit Court.
The Circuit Court accepts criminal cases involving serious offenses after transfer from the district court, as well as large civil claims over $25,000 and appeals from the district court. Cases are distributed among judges according to internal rules. The schedule of sessions for the 35th Circuit Court is available online.
Magistrate Court Cases in Shiawassee
In Michigan, district courts may appoint magistrates to assist with certain categories of cases. In the 66th District Court, a magistrate can conduct arraignments, set bail, and hear small claims.
Jurisdictional limits under Michigan law:
- Civil cases in district court — up to $25,000
- Small claims — up to $6,500
Traffic violations, including DUI, also begin here. Arraignment usually occurs within 24–48 hours after arrest. If the caseload increases, the magistrate takes on some preliminary hearings and administrative procedures.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Shiawassee
Family Law. Divorce, child custody determinations, alimony, protective orders (PPO), and paternity establishment are all handled by the 35th Circuit Court. Documents can be filed using the MiFILE system.
Probate Matters. The Shiawassee County Probate Court handles cases involving the inheritance of deceased persons, the appointment of guardians and conservators, as well as trust issues. Probate court forms are available on the SCAO website.
Juvenile Matters. Cases involving minors, including offenses and child protective proceedings, are handled by the circuit court in a specialized manner. Juvenile case records are confidential under Michigan law and are not publicly accessible.
How Cases Move Through the Shiawassee Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with a prosecutor's complaint; a civil case starts with a complaint filed by the plaintiff with the court clerk.
- Judge Assignment. The clerk assigns a case number and distributes it among judges.
- First Hearing. In criminal cases, an arraignment is held where charges are read to the defendant and bail is set. In civil cases, a scheduling conference is held.
- Pretrial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery) and file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Resolution. A case concludes with a jury verdict, judge's decision, settlement, or plea agreement.
- Post-Trial Phase. Sentencing in criminal cases, filing an appeal, or executing a decision in civil cases.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Shiawassee
The administrative judge of the 35th Circuit Court coordinates the work of the county courts in conjunction with the court administrator. Local court rules for this county are published on the Michigan Courts website.
According to Michigan law, most court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed records, and certain family cases. Requests for public records can be submitted under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Hearings are open for in-person attendance. Some sessions are conducted remotely via video conferencing — check with the court office for availability before visiting.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Shiawassee
- Online Case Search. The MiCOURT Case Search portal allows you to find cases by party name or case number. Information is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official record.
- Session Schedule. The current calendar of the 35th Circuit Court of Shiawassee is published in the Court Display system.
- Electronic Document Filing. Through the MiFILE system, attorneys and parties can file procedural documents online.
- Probate Court Forms. A complete list is available on the SCAO forms page.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued by the Michigan Department of Vital Records, with archives dating back to 1867.
- Offender Search. The OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) contains data on inmates, parolees, and probationers.
- Driving Records. Michigan Driving Record provides information on the driving history of individuals licensed in the state.
- Real Estate Deeds Registry. A list of Register of Deeds offices by county is available on the Michigan Treasury website.
- Tax Parcels. Data on Shiawassee County land parcels is published by the Michigan Department of Technology.
- Court Clerk's Office. For certified copies or to submit a public records request, contact the clerk directly at the courthouse address in Corunna.