Court records in Bay County, Michigan, are maintained by the county clerk and the clerks of the circuit and district courts. These records can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and in person at the clerk's office. BayMICourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Bay County. Additional access points include the MiCOURT Case Search portal, the Bay County Clerk's Office, and other state and county government resources described below.
Bay County Court System Overview
Bay County is served by two trial-level courts under Michigan's unified court system. The 18th Judicial Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction, handling major civil cases, serious criminal felonies, family law matters, and appeals from the district court. The 74th District Court handles misdemeanors, civil infractions, traffic violations, preliminary felony examinations, small claims, and general civil cases within its jurisdictional limits. Both courts operate from the Bay County Court Facility. Bay County is the sole county in the 18th Judicial Circuit and the 74th District Court.
Courts Serving Bay County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 18th Judicial Circuit Court | 1230 Washington Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708 | (989) 895-4265 |
| 74th District Court | 1230 Washington Avenue, Suite 736, Bay City, MI 48708 | (989) 895-4200 |
| Bay County Probate Court | 1230 Washington Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708 | (989) 895-4205 |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (Bay City) | 1000 Washington Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708 | (989) 894-8800 |
Bay County falls within the Eastern District of Michigan for federal matters. Federal bankruptcy cases for this area are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
What Types of Cases Bay County Courts Hear
Bay County's courts collectively handle a wide range of case types:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, and civil infractions
- Civil: General civil litigation, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes
- Traffic: Moving violations, parking tickets, and DUI/OWI offenses
- Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and personal protection orders
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and mental health commitments
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, child protective cases, and adoptions
The sections below explain which court handles each category and how cases move through the system.
District Court Cases in Bay County
The 74th District Court is the high-volume trial court in Bay County. It handles all misdemeanor criminal cases, civil infractions, and traffic offenses. For felony cases, the district court conducts preliminary examinations to determine whether probable cause exists to bind a case over to circuit court. The district court also hears general civil cases involving amounts up to $25,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims. Cases are assigned to district court judges upon filing. Arraignments for criminal and traffic matters typically occur shortly after a charge is issued or a citation is written.
Magistrate Court Cases in Bay County
In Michigan, district court magistrates assist district court judges rather than operating as a separate court. Within the 74th District Court, magistrates may handle certain arraignments, set bail, accept guilty pleas for minor offenses, and issue search warrants. Small claims cases in Michigan district courts have a jurisdictional limit of $6,500. Civil cases in district court may involve claims up to $25,000. Magistrates in Bay County may preside over traffic violations, misdemeanor arraignments, and DUI/OWI initial appearances. The magistrate's role is defined by Michigan Court Rule 4.401 and related statutes, and their authority is exercised under the supervision of the chief district court judge.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Bay County
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, and personal protection order cases are heard by the 18th Judicial Circuit Court. The Bay County Friend of the Court office assists with enforcement and modification of custody, parenting time, and support orders. Forms and applications are available through the Friend of the Court office.
Probate
The Bay County Probate Court handles decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust disputes, and mental health commitment proceedings. The probate court operates from the Bay County Court Facility at 1230 Washington Avenue, Bay City.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency cases and child protective proceedings are handled through the circuit court's family division. Juvenile records are confidential under Michigan law and are not available through public case search tools. Adoption proceedings are also handled by the circuit court.
How Cases Move Through the Bay County Court System
- Filing/Initiation: A criminal complaint is issued by the prosecutor, a civil complaint is filed by the plaintiff, or a petition is submitted in family, probate, or juvenile matters.
- Case Assignment: The case is assigned to a judge. In circuit court, cases are distributed among the sitting judges. District court cases are assigned at filing.
- Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants are arraigned and bail is set. Civil cases receive a scheduling conference or initial case management order.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and may engage in plea negotiations (criminal) or settlement discussions (civil).
- Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to a bench or jury trial, or are resolved through a plea agreement, settlement, default judgment, or dismissal.
- Post-Judgment: In criminal cases, sentencing follows a conviction. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from district court go to circuit court; appeals from circuit court go to the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Bay County
The 18th Judicial Circuit Court and the 74th District Court are each administered by their respective chief judges, with day-to-day operations managed by trial court administrators. The Bay County Clerk serves as the clerk of the circuit court and maintains circuit court case files.
Local court rules for Bay County courts are established under the authority of the Michigan Supreme Court's administrative orders. Contact the court directly for copies of current local administrative orders.
Public Access
- Most court records in Michigan are presumed open to the public under Michigan Court Rules, Chapter 8.
- Certain records — including juvenile cases, some family law filings, and sealed records — are restricted by statute.
- You can search many Bay County case records online through the MiCOURT Case Search portal.
- Bay County also offers online services including court docket information, court case files, and online case review for the 74th District Court.
- To request court records in person, visit the Bay County Court Facility at 1230 Washington Avenue, Bay City, Michigan 48708.
- For non-court public records, Bay County accepts Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests through its Corporation Counsel office.
Hearings are generally open to the public. Contact the specific court division for information about attending hearings remotely or in person.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Bay County
- Online Case Search: The MiCOURT Case Search tool provides free public access to case information from Michigan trial and appellate courts. Bay County's online services page also links to court dockets and case files.
- Court Forms: Downloadable court and county forms are available through the Bay County Forms Library.
- Criminal History Records: The Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) provides name-based public criminal history background checks. You can also request, expunge, or update criminal history records through the Michigan State Police.
- Offender Search: The Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) allows you to search for individuals in state prison custody. For county jail inmates, Bay County directs the public to VINELink or the Bay County Jail Information page.
- Accident and Police Reports: The Bay County Sheriff's Records Division handles requests for accident and police reports.
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates can be obtained through the Bay County Clerk's Office or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office.
- Property and Land Records: The Bay County Register of Deeds maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens.
- Court Payments: Traffic ticket and court fine payments can be made online through the 74th District Court's website.
- Civil Process: The Bay County Sheriff's Office handles service of civil process documents within the county.