Court records in Hillsdale County, Michigan, are maintained by the clerks of the Circuit Court and District Court and can be accessed through online case lookup tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. HillsdaleCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Hillsdale County. Additional access points include the county's official online case search tools, the Hillsdale County Clerk's office, and statewide resources maintained by the Michigan Courts and Michigan State Police.
Hillsdale Court System Overview
Hillsdale County is served by two trial-level courts within Michigan's unified court system. The 1st Judicial Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases above the district court's jurisdictional limit, divorce, family law matters, and appeals from the district court. The Honorable Sara Lisznyai serves as Circuit Court Judge, with Chelsea Lambright as Court Administrator. The 2B District Court handles misdemeanors, civil infractions, small claims, and preliminary felony examinations, presided over by the Honorable Megan R. Stiverson, with Rachel Doxtader serving as Court Administrator and Attorney Magistrate. Hillsdale County is the sole county in the 1st Judicial Circuit. Both courts are located in downtown Hillsdale and operate Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Courts Serving Hillsdale
1st Judicial Circuit Court
2B District Court
U.S. District Court — Western District of Michigan
Hillsdale County falls within the Western District of Michigan. Federal civil and criminal cases are heard in federal courthouses in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, or Marquette.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Western District of Michigan
Bankruptcy filings for Hillsdale County residents are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan.
What Types of Cases Hillsdale Courts Hear
Between the Circuit Court and District Court, Hillsdale County courts handle a broad range of case types:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, criminal infractions
- Civil: General civil litigation, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes
- Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, personal protection orders
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust matters, mental health commitments
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, child protective proceedings, juvenile guardianships
- Traffic: Civil infractions, drunk driving, traffic misdemeanors
The sections below explain which court handles each category and how cases proceed.
District Court Cases in Hillsdale
In Michigan's court structure, the circuit court — not the district court — is the court of general jurisdiction for felony trials and higher-value civil cases. The 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsdale hears:
- All felony cases after bindover from the district court's preliminary examination
- Civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000
- Divorce, custody, and other domestic relations matters
- Appeals from the 2B District Court
- Post-conviction motions and proceedings
Cases are assigned to Judge Lisznyai. Criminal cases typically arrive at the circuit court after a preliminary examination in district court determines probable cause. Civil cases are initiated by filing a complaint with the circuit court clerk. Some Circuit Court cases are available to view online.
Magistrate Court Cases in Hillsdale
Michigan does not have a separate magistrate court. Instead, the 2B District Court handles the lower-level matters that magistrate courts address in other states. In Hillsdale, the district court hears:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases (maximum penalty up to one year in jail)
- Felony arraignments and preliminary examinations
- Civil cases up to $25,000
- Small claims up to $6,500
- Summary proceedings (landlord-tenant, land contract forfeiture)
- Traffic civil infractions and misdemeanor traffic offenses
- Drunk driving arraignments and hearings
The Attorney Magistrate, Rachel Doxtader, may handle arraignments, set bail, and preside over certain hearings. The district court's online case lookup allows you to search some case records electronically.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Hillsdale
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, parenting time, paternity, and personal protection orders are handled by the 1st Judicial Circuit Court. These cases are filed with the Hillsdale County Clerk, who serves as clerk of the circuit court. Domestic relations cases follow Michigan Court Rules and may involve mediation before trial.
Probate
Hillsdale County Probate Court operates as a division of the circuit court. It handles decedent estates, guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, trust disputes, and mental health commitment proceedings. Probate filings are made at the county courthouse.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency cases, child protective proceedings, and juvenile guardianships are heard by the circuit court's family division. Juvenile court records are generally confidential under Michigan law and are not available through public case search tools. Contact the circuit court clerk's office for information about juvenile proceedings.
How Cases Move Through the Hillsdale Court System
- Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with a complaint or arrest. Civil cases start with a complaint filed with the appropriate court clerk. Family and probate cases are initiated by petition.
- Assignment: Cases are assigned to the presiding judge — Judge Lisznyai for circuit court matters, Judge Stiverson for district court matters.
- Initial hearing: Criminal defendants are arraigned (advised of charges, bail is set). Civil parties attend a scheduling conference.
- Pre-trial phase: Both sides exchange discovery, file motions, and — in criminal cases — may negotiate plea agreements. Civil cases may be referred to mediation or case evaluation.
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to a bench or jury trial, or resolve through plea, settlement, default judgment, or dismissal.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from the district court go to the circuit court; appeals from the circuit court go to the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Hillsdale
The 1st Judicial Circuit Court is administered by Judge Lisznyai with Court Administrator Chelsea Lambright. The 2B District Court is administered by Judge Stiverson with Court Administrator Rachel Doxtader. Each court may adopt local administrative orders consistent with the Michigan Court Rules.
Public Access to Records
Under Michigan Court Rules, most court records are open to the public. Online access through the county's case lookup portals is limited to case numbers, party names, and basic case information, as outlined by the Michigan Courts records management policy. Certain records are restricted, including:
- Juvenile case files
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Certain personal protection order records
- Adoption records
To request copies of court records, contact the clerk of the appropriate court in person or by mail. Certified copies typically require a fee.
Attending Hearings
Hearings in Hillsdale County may be attended in person at the courthouse. Some circuit court hearings may be conducted remotely via Zoom, consistent with Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-6. Check the court's online docket or contact the court administrator for remote participation details.
Contact — Circuit Court Administration
Contact — District Court Administration
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Hillsdale
- District Court online case lookup: Search some 2B District Court cases online. Not all cases are available electronically.
- Circuit Court online case lookup: Search some 1st Judicial Circuit Court cases online.
- District Court docket: View the 2B District Court online docket for upcoming hearings.
- Michigan Courts case search: The Michigan Courts website provides a statewide case search for appellate-level cases and opinions.
- Criminal history records: The Michigan State Police ICHAT system allows public name-based criminal history background checks.
- FOIA requests: Request law enforcement records through the Michigan State Police FOIA process.
- Expungement assistance: The Michigan Attorney General's office provides information about setting aside (expunging) eligible criminal convictions.
- Vital records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates are available through the Hillsdale County Clerk's vital records office or the Michigan DHHS vital records division.
- Property and deed records: Search the Hillsdale County Register of Deeds online portal for recorded documents.
- Jail and inmate information: Current inmate information is available through the Hillsdale County Jail Services JailTracker system.
- Driving records: Request a driving record through the Michigan Secretary of State.
- County Clerk's office: The Hillsdale County Clerk maintains circuit court records, vital records, and election records at the Hillsdale County Courthouse, 29 N. Howell St., Room 1.