The Michigan court system is a single unified judiciary — called the One Court of Justice under Article VI of the Michigan Constitution — organized into four main levels: district courts for smaller civil cases and misdemeanors, circuit courts for major civil cases and felonies, the Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court.1Michigan Legislature. Michigan Constitution of 1963 – Article VI Section 1 Alongside those four sit probate courts, the Court of Claims, and more than 200 problem-solving courts that handle specialized matters. Which court your case belongs in depends on what kind of dispute it is and how much is at stake.
District Courts
For most Michigan residents, the district court is where the justice system first becomes real. These courts have exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount in controversy is $25,000 or less.2Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 600.8301 – Exclusive Jurisdiction in Civil Actions They also handle misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic violations, and civil infractions. The state is divided into judicial districts, each operating as a court of record under the Supreme Court’s superintending control.3Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 600.8101 – District Court Establishment
Every felony case also begins in district court. Before a felony charge moves to circuit court for trial, a district court judge conducts an arraignment and a preliminary examination to determine whether enough evidence exists to support the charge. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is “bound over” to the circuit court.
Small Claims Division
The Small Claims Division within each district court handles money disputes up to $7,000.4Michigan Courts. Small Claims Jurisdiction You can file a claim for more than that amount, but you cannot recover beyond the $7,000 cap. The process is designed to be simpler than regular civil litigation, with relaxed rules of evidence and no attorneys required. Security deposit disputes and unpaid bills are among the most common filings.
Circuit Courts
Circuit courts are Michigan’s trial courts of general jurisdiction. They have original jurisdiction over all matters not prohibited by law, along with appellate jurisdiction over decisions from lower courts and administrative agencies.5Michigan Legislature. Michigan Constitution of 1963 – Article VI Section 13 In practical terms, these courts handle civil lawsuits where more than $25,000 is at stake, all felony criminal prosecutions, and appeals from district and probate courts.
Circuit judges are elected in nonpartisan elections and serve six-year terms.6Michigan Legislature. Michigan Constitution of 1963 – Article VI Section 12 The state is divided into judicial circuits, each with at least one judge. Larger population centers have multiple judges handling heavy caseloads.
Family Division
Every circuit court includes a Family Division with exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, juvenile delinquency, and child protective proceedings. Most families in the Family Division will also deal with the Friend of the Court, a county office operating under the chief judge’s direction that handles support enforcement, custody investigations, and parenting time disputes.7Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 552.503 – Friend of the Court The Friend of the Court is not your attorney and does not represent either parent. It functions as an arm of the court, making recommendations the judge can accept or reject. Each office must be open at least 20 hours per month during nontraditional hours for public access.
Probate Courts
Michigan’s probate courts handle matters involving estates, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. Article VI, Section 15 of the Michigan Constitution creates these courts, and the legislature defines their specific jurisdiction through statutes like the Estates and Protected Individuals Code.8Michigan Legislature. Michigan Constitution of 1963 – Article VI Section 15
When someone dies, the probate court validates the will or manages distribution without one, oversees estate administration, and resolves disputes among heirs. For living individuals, probate judges appoint guardians for incapacitated adults and conservators to manage the financial affairs of people who cannot manage their own. These courts also hear petitions for involuntary mental health commitment. If you are named as a personal representative in a will or need to petition for guardianship of a family member, probate court is where you file.
Court of Claims
When your dispute is with the State of Michigan or one of its departments, you file in the Court of Claims. This court has exclusive jurisdiction over claims against the state, including broken contracts, constitutional challenges, money damages, and requests for equitable relief.9Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 600.6419 – Court of Claims Jurisdiction Claims under $1,000 may be handled administratively by the state administrative board rather than through formal litigation.
The Court of Claims is a specialized assignment rather than a separate building. Judges from other courts serve on it under appointment by the Supreme Court, and all actions filed in the Court of Claims are initiated through the Court of Appeals. A losing party can appeal to the Court of Appeals and potentially the Supreme Court.
Michigan Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals is where most appeals actually get decided. The court currently has 24 judges divided across four districts, though judges sit statewide rather than only in the district where they were elected.10Michigan Courts. About the Court of Appeals Cases are heard by three-judge panels, and the court’s jurisdiction is set by the legislature rather than the constitution itself.11Michigan Legislature. Michigan Constitution of 1963 – Article VI Section 10
Most people appealing a trial court decision reach this court as a matter of right, meaning the court must hear the case on its merits. The panel reviews whether the trial judge applied the law correctly. It does not retry the case or call new witnesses; the judges work from the existing trial record. When the Court of Appeals identifies an error that affected the outcome, it can reverse or modify the lower court’s decision.
Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the court of last resort. It consists of seven justices elected in nonpartisan elections for eight-year terms.12Michigan Legislature. Michigan Constitution of 1963 – Article VI Section 2 Unlike lower courts, the Supreme Court has discretionary jurisdiction over most cases, meaning it chooses which appeals to accept. The justices typically select cases that raise important constitutional questions, present conflicts among lower court decisions, or carry broad significance for the state. Getting your case heard here is the exception, not the rule.
Beyond deciding cases, the Supreme Court holds general superintending control over every court in Michigan.13Michigan Legislature. Michigan Constitution of 1963 – Article VI Section 4 That authority includes setting the rules of practice and procedure that govern how all trial courts operate. The court exercises this administrative role primarily through the State Court Administrative Office, which handles day-to-day oversight of court operations statewide.14Michigan Courts. State Court Administrative Office
Problem-Solving Courts
Michigan operates over 200 problem-solving courts across the state, designed to address the root causes of criminal behavior rather than cycling people through traditional prosecution. As of early 2026, the state has 128 drug and sobriety courts, 42 mental health courts, 30 veterans treatment courts, and 9 family treatment courts.15Michigan Courts. Problem-Solving Courts
These courts combine judicial oversight with treatment programs, regular drug testing, and graduated sanctions. A defendant in a sobriety court, for example, may avoid a jail sentence by completing a structured program that includes substance abuse treatment, frequent court check-ins, and community service. Successful completion can result in reduced charges or dismissed cases. If you or a family member faces charges related to substance use, mental health, or military service, asking about eligibility for a problem-solving court is one of the most consequential decisions early in the case. The window to apply is often narrow.
Filing an Appeal
Appeal deadlines are strict, and missing them almost always means losing the right to appeal entirely. In civil cases, a party generally has 21 days from entry of the judgment or order to file a claim of appeal with the Court of Appeals. In criminal cases, the deadline is 42 days. Courts have very little flexibility to extend them after the fact.
An appeal of right, where the Court of Appeals must accept your case, is the most common path. For matters where no appeal of right exists, a party can file an application for leave to appeal, which the court may accept or deny at its discretion. The Supreme Court uses a similar leave-based process for most cases it reviews. The clock starts running when the judgment is entered on the court record, not when you receive a copy in the mail.
Jury Service
Michigan draws jurors from a pool of county residents who meet several qualifications. You must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the county where you are called, able to communicate in English, and physically and mentally able to serve. People with felony convictions are permanently disqualified, and anyone who served on a jury in a court of record within the past 12 months is ineligible.16Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 600.1307a – Qualifications of Juror
Several groups may claim an exemption if they choose. Residents over 70 can opt out. Nursing mothers are exempt with a letter from a physician or lactation consultant. Active-duty military members and their spouses who reside outside Michigan due to military orders can also claim an exemption, as can participants in the state’s address confidentiality program.16Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 600.1307a – Qualifications of Juror These are exemptions you must request. If you qualify but do not affirmatively claim one, you are expected to report for service.