Wayne County Circuit Court

Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan

The Third Circuit home page describes it as the largest circuit court in Michigan, with 57 judges and three operating divisions. The court has jurisdiction over civil, criminal, and family matters arising in Wayne County. The Wayne County Clerk serves as Clerk of the Third Judicial Circuit Court. Civil actions are filed at the Clerk's Court Services Unit. Family Division processes divorce, custody, parenting time, support, and Personal Protection Orders. Criminal felony cases come from Wayne County's district courts to the Third Circuit Criminal Division.

The home page lists current news such as the 2025 State of the Court Presentation by Chief Judge Patricia Perez Fresard with the Detroit Bar Association on May 7, 2025, and the 2024 Annual Report.

Michigan's One Court of Justice

Michigan operates a single integrated judicial branch called the One Court of Justice, introduced in 1963 by Article VI, Section 1 of the Michigan Constitution. The Michigan Judicial Branch page explains that the system has one supreme court, one court of appeals, and several trial courts. Wayne County is in the First District of the Michigan Court of Appeals at Detroit. Trial courts decide facts and apply the law; the Court of Appeals reviews trial court decisions; the Michigan Supreme Court has discretionary final review.

How a Case Moves Through Wayne County Courts

The order matters. Most criminal cases start in a district court for arraignment and preliminary examination. Felonies that survive preliminary exam move up to the Third Circuit. Civil cases above the district court limit start at the Third Circuit. Probate matters go to the Wayne County Probate Court. Family matters go to the Third Circuit Family Division. Appeals from the circuit go to the Michigan Court of Appeals, and from there to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Case flow: District Court › Third Circuit (Felony, Civil, or Family) › Michigan Court of Appeals › Michigan Supreme Court

For probate matters: Wayne County Probate Court › Michigan Court of Appeals.

Circuit Court vs District Court vs Probate

Each court handles a different mix of cases. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Screening & District Courts Division says assistant prosecutors handle felony preliminary exams, misdemeanors, and state traffic violations in 25 District and Municipal Courts. The Trial Division prosecutes felonies in the Third Circuit. Probate Court is a separate court for estates, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health, and trusts.

Wayne County District and Municipal Court List

Wayne County has more than two dozen district courts plus retained municipal courts in the Grosse Pointe communities. The list below is the working table from research. Some address and phone numbers were not fully confirmed in official source pages during this pass and should be verified before in-person visits.

36th District Court in Detroit

The 36th District Court home page says the court is at 421 Madison Street, Detroit, MI 48226. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone (313) 965-2200. TDD/TTY 711 or (313) 965-4158. Fax (313) 965-3951. Chief Judge William C. McConico oversees 28 judges and 6 magistrates. Court Administrator LaWanda Crosby oversees non-judicial functions and about 300 staff. The court calls itself the largest district court in Michigan and one of the busiest courts in the United States. Recent announcements include a March 2026 Amnesty Program waiving late fees, penalties, and warrant costs, and frequent scam alerts about fake parking ticket and court fine text messages.

The court runs case inquiry, online services including civil/landlord-tenant filing, traffic scheduling, and ADA accommodations. Specialty courts run through the Probation Department.

Searching Wayne County Circuit Court Records

The Third Circuit case search page at 3rdcc.org/case-search routes through Odyssey Public Access. The court warns Odyssey output is unofficial and that documents filed by parties are not online. For paper files or certified copies, use the Wayne County Clerk Records Division at Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room LL-61. For Detroit district cases, use the 36th District Court Case Inquiry tool. For probate, use the Wayne County Probate Court Case Access portal.

Appeals to the Michigan Court of Appeals

Wayne County's intermediate appellate court is the Michigan Court of Appeals First District in Detroit. Appeals from the Third Circuit, the 36th District Court, and other district and probate courts go to the Court of Appeals. The Michigan Judiciary site publishes court rules, opinions, and forms used in appellate work. The Wayne County Clerk Civil Court Services fee schedule lists appeals at $150.00 and a $25.00 transmittal fee.

Federal Courts in the Eastern District of Michigan

Wayne County is in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Detroit is the principal federal court location. Federal cases include federal criminal prosecutions, civil rights cases, constitutional claims, federal-question civil suits, and diversity civil cases. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit all post federal Wayne County workload. Federal docket and document access is through PACER. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan prosecutes federal cases that affect Wayne County.

Prohibited Items at Wayne County Courts

The Third Circuit's prohibited items policy applies to all court buildings. The list is long and the rule is strict. Alcohol, ammunition, aerosols and spray devices, box cutters, brass knuckles, cameras and recording devices including smart and AI glasses, cans, lighters and matches, ropes and chains, drug paraphernalia, explosives, glass and mirrors, guns and replicas, handcuffs, illegal drugs, knives, laser pointers, mace and pepper spray, marijuana, metal flatware, undocumented needles, noisemakers, padlocks, paint, razors, scissors, spikes, tools, tobacco, vape products, and weapon-like objects are all banned. The court cites MCR 8.110 and the Chief Judge's authority. Surrendered items will be confiscated and not returned.

The 36th District Court has its own security protocols. The Wayne County Criminal Justice Center has additional rules tied to the detention facility side of the building. Plan ahead so a phone case, pocket knife, or pepper spray does not derail a court visit.

Related Wayne County Court Pages

For court records strategy, see Wayne County court records. For docket detail, see court dockets. For Clerk office services, see Wayne County Clerk. For probate work, see probate records. For Detroit traffic cases, see traffic court records.