Michigan Court Docket Search
A Michigan court docket search is a process by which individuals can access and search for court dockets or case information in the state. These searches can be conducted to find information about specific cases, parties, or attorneys involved in legal proceedings within the Michigan court system.
Court dockets are typically available to the public according to the provisions of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Interested members of the public may conduct a court docket search online or in person at the court where a case was heard. Note that the Michigan Rules of Court, restrict public access to Michigan court record information that is considered sensitive or exempt from public disclosure.
What is a Court Docket in Michigan?
A Michigan court docket is an orderly record of every action taken or made in a court case in Michigan Courts, from the initial complaints to the final judge's verdict. Any item filed with the court is recorded and numbered on a docket sheet.
What is the Purpose of a Court Docket in Michigan?
Michigan Courts use dockets to record case proceedings. This makes it easy for record seekers to identify court filings filed in a case. Generally, dockets help find brief entries of court proceedings (both pending and decided) filed with a court. With a court docket:
- A case party can know the status and hearing dates of their case
- Members of the public can inspect or obtain copies of court records
- An attorney can track their cases to know court dates
- An Alabama judge can view the list of cases scheduled for hearings
- Employers can run background checks on prospective employees
Are Court Dockets Public Records in Michigan?
According to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, court dockets are public records. However, not all information in a court docket is available for public perusal. For instance, information on adoption, juvenile, and pending criminal investigations are deemed confidential. Hence, access is typically restricted to a selected few.
What Do Court Dockets Contain in Michigan?
A Michigan court docket contains various information regarding a court proceeding. The content of a court docket varies by case type and court. However, below is some information a typical court docket in Michigan contains:
- Case number
- Case status
- Names of case parties
- The attorney's name
- The judge's name
- The nature of the case
- Hearing date
- Document date
- Filing date
- The name of the court where the case was filed
Where to Find a Court Docket in Michigan
Court dockets are generally available at the courthouses where the proceedings were conducted. They may also be found online on the Michigan Courts website.
How to Conduct a Michigan Court Docket Search
A requester can conduct a Michigan Court docket search online or in person at the courthouse where the case was filed. Online requests can be made via the Case Search tool available on the Michigan Courts website. A search can be conducted by case number, party name, attorney name, appellate court, bar number, or lower court. Requesters can opt for a basic search or an advanced search.
Alternatively, interested persons can visit the courthouse where a case was filed to request court dockets. Inquirers must have basic information about the case, like the case number or names of case parties, to facilitate the search. Michigan Courts may allow individuals to view court dockets for free, but copies of such records may attract a small fee.
What is a Court Docket Number in Michigan?
A court docket number in Michigan is called a tracking number or court case number. A docket number is usually assigned when a case is filed with the court. Every docket number assigned to a case must reflect on all documents submitted to the court.
How to Conduct a Court Docket Number Lookup in Michigan
A Michigan resident can conduct a docket number lookup in the state online or in person. Here is how to make an online court docket number request:
- Click on the menu on the Michigan Courts
- Click "Cases, Opinions, & Orders"
- Click on all and select "Case"
- Type a party name, attorney name, appellate court, bar number, or a lower court in the search box and click the search icon
- Click on the name link to view court docket details.
Search results will typically reveal court docket details, including court docket numbers. Alternatively, individuals can visit the courthouse where a case was heard to conduct court docket number lookups. However, requesters would have to provide basic information about the case, like names of case parties or attorneys that handled the case. This would help facilitate the search. When the search is conducted, the requester will see the docket number on the front of the case document.
