St. Clair County, Michigan State Court Records
St. Clair County court records refer to documents and files created through court filings and maintained by the St. Clair County Clerk's Office. These records are maintained for legal research purposes and for the public to track a case from the day it is filed till it is closed. Court records are also useful for appeals and the enforcement of a court order. These records are relevant to all types of cases handled within the county, which generally include criminal and civil cases. They are detailed records that may contain other vital or public records depending on the nature of the case. Criminal court records are connected to arrest records, which may be available through arraignment documents. Other records, such as marriage and divorce records, may also be accessible through court records from family law cases. These records are maintained in physical and electronic formats, which makes them available to individuals in hard copy or online.
Are St. Clair County Court Records Public?
Yes, St. Clair County court records are public records as defined by the Michigan Court Rule 8.119(H). This law establishes a presumption that court records are open to public inspection. Members of the public can approach the County Clerk's office in person, send a request via mail, access case documents online, or make inquiries over the phone. The public can access unrestricted or unsealed court records. This means there are categories of records that are sealed or restricted for privacy or personal safety concerns. Records that contain personally identifiable information, such as sensitive financial details, are restricted or juvenile cases that are protected by the Michigan Juvenile Code (MCL 712A.28). Other restrictions include adoption records, mental health or commitment records, wills filed for safekeeping, and cases sealed by a court order.
What Information is Available in St. Clair County Court Records?
St. Clair County court records contain details that can help identify a case and track the case from filing till it is closed. These details depend on the nature of the case and the requester. The general public can access publicly available details about a case, while qualified individuals can access the full case file, including restricted or sealed records. Here is the content of St. Clair County court records:
- Full names of all parties
- Names of attorneys of record and the presiding judge
- Bail and bond status or conditions
- Court judgment and sentencing orders
- Domestic orders
- Criminal charges or civil claims filed in the case
- Custody agreements in family law cases
- Court schedule and hearing dates
St. Clair County Court Records Search
St. Clair County court records can be searched through the St. Clair County Clerk's Office, which is the primary custodian. This office maintains electronic court records, which can be accessed online, and physical copies, which can be obtained via mail or in person. This office also provides consolidated access to case records from all county courts within the county.
Online Access
Members of the public with a computing device and internet connection can access St. Clair County court records online through the state's MiCourt Case Search website. This platform provides statewide access to case records, which contain publicly accessible documents. The public can also use the county's Court Document Request Form to obtain documents from the County Clerk's office. This website allows the submission of requests in a PDF format, which will be delivered by email at a cost of 415.00. This cost includes a $5 processing fee, and there is an option for standard mail delivery for $10.
In-person Access
Members of the public can approach the County Clerk's office to make simple inquiries or submit a records request. The county maintains a clerk for the Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court, with their separate clerks. However, these offices are in the same courthouse building, which makes in-person access to all case records within the county easier. Requesters can approach the clerk's office between 8 am to 4:30 pm on business days. It is important to provide some details about the case or parties to the case when making a request at the clerk's office.
Mail or Phone Access
Requesters can search and obtain court records via the mail or by making phone inquiries. Mail requests involve sending your records request to the clerk's office in a dispatch package, which should contain some details about the case and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The mail package should also contain details like the purpose of the request. Phone requests are more suitable for simple inquiries, such as confirmation of some details like the case number or filing date. Mail requests are costlier than other access methods due to the dispatch fees and the compulsory copying of the requested case documents.
Fees for Court Records in St. Clair County
St. Clair County court records can be accessed for free during business hours. Members of the public can use the self-help terminals at the courthouse to inspect case records at no cost. Requesters incur costs in making copies of case documents and the staff time required to fulfill a request. Simple requests usually do not require further staff assistance, but complex requests may require more labor, which incurs labor fees that are billed hourly based on the lowest-paid employee's rate. The cost of making online documents to be emailed is $15, while the mail delivery charge is $10. Standard copies of court documents cost $0.10 to $1.00 per page, while certified copies has a separate cost. Persons who file an affidavit of indigence according to the MCL 15.234(5) can waive the initial $20 of Freedom of Information Act fees.
St. Clair County Courthouse Locations
St. Clair County courthouses consist of one District Court, Probate Court, and Circuit Court. Members of the public can contact or access these courts using the following details:
St. Clair County Circuit Court
St. Clair County Courthouse
201 McMorran Blvd. Room 3400
Port Huron, Michigan 48060
810-985-2031 - Phone
810-985-2030 - Fax
St. Clair County District Courts
Port Huron Division
201 McMorran Blvd. Room 2900
Port Huron, Michigan 48060
810-985-2076 - Phone
810-985-2072 - Criminal/Traffic
810-985-2077 - Civil/Small Claims
810-982-1260 - Fax
Marine City Division
2088 South Parker
Marine City, Michigan 48039
810-765-4057 - Phone
St. Clair County Probate Court
201 McMorran Blvd. Room 2600
Port Huron, Michigan 48060
810-985-2066 - Phone
810-985-2179 - Fax
Criminal Records Access in St. Clair County
Criminal records represent a comprehensive report of criminal activities and convictions within the county. The official state criminal history checks are handled by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Center. This agency manages the Internet Criminal History Access Tool, which is the state's official online criminal history search portal. A standard search on this website costs $10 per request and provides access to records dating back to 1935. County criminal records are largely managed by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office and the county courts. Members of the public can request criminal records checks in person at the sheriff's office or at the St. Clair County Clerk's office. While the sheriff's office will provide access to records like arrest records and jail rosters, the clerk's office manages criminal case documents that contain criminal records. These court records can also be accessed online through the MiCOURT Case Search website. County court documents can also be obtained using the Court Document Request Form.
St. Clair County Probate Records
Probate records are official court documents and files created through the legal supervision of settling a deceased's estate, establishing guardianships, or handling mental health cases. These records are created and maintained through the St. Clair County Probate Court, which operates independently. This court also handles cases involving conservatorships, trusts & trust proceedings, adoptions, and name change petitions. They are generally accessible to the public and can be searched in person at the Probate Court or using the MiCOURT Case Search system.
St. Clair County Family Court Records
Family court records are court documents from cases and court processes involving domestic relations. These cases involve matters of divorce, child custody or parenting time, legal separation, paternity, personal protection orders, child abuse or neglect, and adoptions. They are handled by the Circuit Court's Family Division. Family court records in St. Clair County are generally public with certain exceptions. Details like property division records, child support orders, personal protection orders, and custody determination are part of publicly accessible family court records. The sealed records include juvenile delinquency records, details from cases of neglected or abused children, and adoption records. Members of the public can access family court records online through the county's online document request form or the Divorce Judgment Request Form.
Federal Court Records in St. Clair County
Federal court records refer to case documents from matters within the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. These are cases involving constitutional claims, civil rights cases against federal agencies, and cases arising from federal statutes. They are public records and can be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. This district also houses the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, which handles federal bankruptcy cases.
