Michigan Circuit Courts

 Circuit courts are the trial courts with the broadest powers in Michigan. In Michigan, circuit courts handle all felony criminal cases that could result in confinement to prison. They also deal with all civil cases for claims in excess of $25,000.00. There are 57 circuit courts in the state of Michigan. Judges are elected for six-year terms. In Michigan, circuit courts are divided into two divisions: general division and family division.

Organization
As of 2023, there are 57 judicial circuits that are set by the legislature. The number of judges in each circuit is set by the legislature. Since Michigan has 83 counties, some circuit courts cover several counties; judges elected in multi-county circuits must travel from one county to another to hold court.

To be eligible to be elected as a circuit court judge in Michigan, the person must be a qualified elector, a resident of the judicial circuit, a member of the Michigan Bar in good standing, and under the age of 70 years old.

Family Division
The family division of the circuit court has exclusive jurisdiction over all family matters in the circuit, including adoptions, child support, custody, divorce, juvenile proceedings, name changes, parenting time, paternity, and personal protection orders.

Business Courts
By statute, Michigan established business court dockets within all circuit courts having three or more judges. The statute lists case types of a business or commercial nature that fall within the business court's jurisdiction, as well as case types falling outside the business court's jurisdiction. There are currently 17 circuit courts with business court dockets, each of which is required to have a local administrative order addressing procedures in its business court. The business court judges in these circuits have issued hundreds of written opinions since the business court's inception. The Michigan judicial institute is required to provide training to the business court judges. The Michigan Bar Journal has a regular column addressing developments and practice in Michigan's business courts, Touring the Business Courts.

History
In 1833, all the county courts in all counties in the territory of Michigan except Wayne were abolished and replaced by one circuit court of the territory of Michigan. In 1836, the state was divided into 3 circuits. The 1850 Michigan Constitution made the office of circuit court judges elected officials and set the term of office to six (6) years.

In 1908, the Constitution provided for judicial circuits which are drawn around county lines.