St. Clair County Public Records /St. Clair County Court Records

St. Clair County Court Records

What Is St. Clair County Court Records

Court records in St. Clair County, Michigan, are official documents generated by the judicial system in the course of legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials maintained by the courts, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. Each document type serves a distinct function: docket sheets provide a chronological index of all filings in a case, while transcripts capture verbatim accounts of court proceedings, and judgments reflect the court's final determinations.

Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, for example, are held by the St. Clair County Register of Deeds, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the County Clerk or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are maintained by the clerk of the respective court.

The following courts in St. Clair County maintain official court records:

Circuit Court – handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $25,000, family law, and appeals from lower courts
District Court – handles misdemeanors, civil cases up to $25,000, small claims, and traffic matters
Probate Court – handles estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings
Family Court – a division of the Circuit Court handling divorce, custody, and juvenile matters
Small Claims Court – a division of the District Court for disputes up to $7,000

Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, court records are defined as documents and information filed with or maintained by the court in connection with a judicial proceeding. Records span civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters across all court divisions.

Are Court Records Public In St. Clair County

Court records in St. Clair County are presumptively open to the public under Michigan law. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by state and local government bodies. Additionally, Michigan Court Rule 8.119(D) affirms that court records are available for public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption or court order restricts access.

The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:

Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
Final judgments and court orders
Docket sheets and hearing schedules
Sentencing records in criminal matters

It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, which has jurisdiction over federal matters arising in St. Clair County, are maintained separately and accessed through the federal PACER system, not through county or state court portals.

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Michigan law, including juvenile records, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and records sealed by court order pursuant to MCL § 600.2163a. Members of the public seeking access to restricted records must file a formal motion with the court.

How To Find Court Records in St. Clair County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain St. Clair County court records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the court in which the case was filed.

In-Person Access:

Visit the St. Clair County Circuit Court Clerk's office or the District Court clerk's office during regular business hours
Present a valid government-issued photo identification
Provide the case number, party name, or approximate filing date to assist staff in locating the record
Submit a written records request form if the record is not immediately available at the public counter
Pay any applicable copying fees, which are set by statute under MCL § 600.1988

By Mail:

Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk's office
Include the full name of the parties, case number if known, type of record requested, and a self-addressed stamped envelope
Include payment for applicable fees or a request for a fee estimate

Online:

Use the MiCOURT Case Search portal or the Michigan Courts case search system to locate case information remotely (see the online lookup section below)

Third-Party Retrieval:

Authorized document retrieval services may access records on behalf of requestors, subject to the same access rules applicable to the general public

How To Look Up Court Records in St. Clair County Online?

Several official online portals currently provide remote access to St. Clair County court records. Members of the public may use these systems to search case information without visiting a courthouse in person.

MiCOURT Case Search

The MiCOURT Case Search portal is the primary statewide system for searching Michigan court records online. It provides access to case information from participating courts across the state, including St. Clair County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name.

Steps to search using MiCOURT:

Navigate to the MiCOURT Case Search portal
Select the court type and county (St. Clair) from the dropdown menus
Enter the party name, case number, or other identifying information
Review the list of matching cases and select the relevant matter
View available case details, including docket entries, hearing dates, and case status

Michigan Courts Case Search

The Cases, Opinions & Orders portal maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court provides access to appellate opinions, orders, and case information at the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court level. This resource is particularly useful for locating appellate decisions involving St. Clair County cases.

Criminal History Records

For name-based criminal background information, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), administered by the Michigan State Police, allows members of the public to search Michigan criminal history records by name. ICHAT returns conviction data maintained in the statewide criminal history repository and is available for a nominal fee per search.

How To Search St. Clair County Court Records for Free?

Michigan law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect court records at no charge during regular business hours. Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, public access to court records does not require payment of a fee for inspection; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following options are currently available at no cost:

In-person inspection at the Circuit Court or District Court clerk's office — no fee is charged to view records at the public counter
MiCOURT Case Search — basic case information, docket entries, and case status are available at no charge through the online portal
Michigan Courts Case Search — appellate opinions and orders are freely accessible through the state judiciary website
ICHAT — while a fee applies for full criminal history reports, the MiCOURT portal provides free access to court case disposition information

Members of the public who require certified copies of court documents will be assessed a fee pursuant to the applicable court fee schedule.

What's Included in a St. Clair County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:

Civil Case Records:

Complaint and summons
Defendant's answer and affirmative defenses
Motions and supporting briefs
Discovery orders
Pretrial conference orders
Final judgment or dismissal order

Criminal Case Records:

Charging documents (complaint, information, or indictment)
Arraignment records and bail/bond orders
Plea agreements
Trial transcripts
Sentencing orders and presentence investigation reports (where not restricted)
Probation or parole conditions

Family Court Records:

Divorce petitions and decrees
Child custody and parenting time orders
Child support orders and payment histories
Domestic violence protective orders

Probate Court Records:

Petitions for estate administration
Wills admitted to probate
Inventory and accounting filings
Guardianship and conservatorship orders

Traffic Records:

Citation information
Hearing dates and outcomes
License suspension orders

How Long Does St. Clair County Keep Court Records?

St. Clair County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO). Retention periods vary by record type and court division.

Current retention periods include:

Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
Misdemeanor case files — retained for a minimum of 7 years following case closure
Civil case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following judgment
Probate case files — retained permanently for estate matters; guardianship records retained for a minimum of 7 years after termination
Small claims records — retained for a minimum of 5 years
Traffic case records — retained for a minimum of 3 years

These schedules are established pursuant to the SCAO Records Retention and Disposal Schedule, which courts are required to follow under Michigan Court Rule 8.119(J). Records that have exceeded their retention period may be destroyed in accordance with approved disposal procedures, and members of the public should be aware that older records may no longer be available.

Types of Courts In St. Clair County

St. Clair County's court system operates within Michigan's unified trial court structure. The hierarchy proceeds from the District Court (limited jurisdiction) to the Circuit Court (general jurisdiction), then to the Michigan Court of Appeals, and finally to the Michigan Supreme Court.

St. Clair County Circuit Court

St. Clair County Circuit Court 201 McMorran Blvd, Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 985-2060 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM St. Clair County Circuit Court

72nd District Court 201 McMorran Blvd, Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 985-2060 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM 72nd District Court

St. Clair County Probate Court 201 McMorran Blvd, Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 985-2060 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM St. Clair County Probate Court

The Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court serve as the appellate courts for matters originating in St. Clair County.

What Types of Cases Do St. Clair County Courts Hear?

Each court within St. Clair County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by Michigan statute.

Circuit Court:

Felony criminal prosecutions
Civil disputes involving amounts over $25,000
Divorce, custody, and family law matters
Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings
Appeals from the District Court and administrative agencies

72nd District Court:

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Civil disputes up to $25,000
Small claims matters up to $7,000
Traffic and ordinance violations
Landlord-tenant disputes
Preliminary examinations in felony cases

Probate Court:

Decedent estates and will contests
Guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults
Mental health commitment proceedings
Trust administration matters

How To Find a Court Docket In St. Clair County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access St. Clair County court dockets through the following methods:

Online Search:

Use the MiCOURT Case Search portal to locate docket entries for cases filed in St. Clair County courts
Search by party name, case number, or attorney name
Select the relevant case to view the full docket, including filing dates, document descriptions, and scheduled hearing dates

In-Person:

Visit the clerk's office of the appropriate court during public counter hours
Request access to the case docket by providing the case number or party name
Public terminals may be available at the courthouse for self-service docket searches

By Phone:

Contact the clerk's office directly to inquire about case status and scheduled hearing dates; staff can confirm basic docket information by telephone

Which Courts in St. Clair County Are Not Courts of Record?

A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, and whose judgments carry legal authority that may be appealed to a higher court. Under MCL § 600.151, Michigan designates the Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court as courts of record.

At present, there are no courts operating within St. Clair County that are formally classified as courts not of record under Michigan law. Historically, justice of the peace courts and certain municipal courts operated as courts not of record, meaning their proceedings were not transcribed and their decisions could be retried de novo upon appeal. Michigan abolished justice of the peace courts through judicial reform, and the District Court system — which is a court of record — replaced them statewide. Accordingly, all trial courts currently operating in St. Clair County maintain official records and are subject to the record-keeping requirements established by the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Court Administrative Office.