Instant Access to Civil and
Criminal Court Records

Michigan Court Records

The Michigan Courts website helps readers understand the "One Court of Justice" model employed by the state and provides guidance on accessing its records. The Michigan court system is governed by Article VI of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and is organized into three distinct levels: local trial courts, the intermediate Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court.

Almost all cases begin and reach a conclusion at the trial court level (the District Courts for smaller matters, the Circuit Court for more serious matters, and the Probate Court for probate cases). A case only moves to higher levels if a party appeals a final judgment to the Court of Appeals or receives permission for a discretionary review by the Supreme Court.

Court records are publicly accessible in the state. The foundational rule for access is MCR 8.119, which states that court records are presumed public and should be available for inspection unless specifically restricted. While this portal provides an online source of public information, the information herein does not constitute legal advice or official records.