Berrien County Public Records /Berrien County Court Records

Berrien County Court Records

What Is Berrien County Court Records

Court records in Berrien County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute the comprehensive documentation of judicial activities as maintained by the courts pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 8.119. Court records typically include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records.

Court records are distinct from other public records maintained by Berrien County, such as:

Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
Tax records
Voter registration information

The following courts in Berrien County maintain official court records:

Berrien County Trial Court (consolidated court system)
Circuit Court
District Court
Probate Court
Family Division

Pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.1428, court records include documentation from various case types including civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. The Berrien County Trial Court system maintains these records according to state regulations and court administrative policies.

Are Court Records Public In Berrien County

Court records in Berrien County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Michigan Court Rules and the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Michigan Court Rule 8.119(H) specifically addresses public access to court records, establishing the presumption that court records are open for public inspection unless specifically restricted by court rule, statute, or court order.

The following court records are typically available for public access:

Most civil case files
Criminal case files (post-charging)
Judgments and orders
Docket sheets
Hearing schedules

However, certain records may be restricted from public access, including:

Juvenile records (except as provided in MCR 3.925)
Adoption records
Mental health proceedings
Records sealed by court order
Social security numbers and financial account information
Victim information in certain cases

It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan (which includes Berrien County) are governed by federal rules rather than state regulations. These records are accessible through the federal PACER system.

The Michigan Supreme Court has established specific rules regarding public access to court records through Administrative Order 1999-4, which outlines the procedures for requesting and obtaining court records.

How To Find Court Records in Berrien County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Berrien County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining court records:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate court clerk's office during regular business hours
Complete a Court Records Request form
Provide case number or party names for record identification
Pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents
Present valid photo identification if requesting non-confidential records

Mail Requests:

Download and complete the Court Records Request form
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
Enclose payment for applicable fees (check or money order)
Mail the request to:

Berrien County Clerk's Office
811 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7111
Berrien County Clerk

Online Requests:

Access the MiCOURT Case Search portal
Create an account or log in as a guest
Select Berrien County from the jurisdiction dropdown
Enter search criteria (case number, party name, etc.)
Review available case information
Request copies of specific documents if available

For certified copies of court documents, the current fee is $11 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page. Record checks cost $10 per individual searched. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card (in-person only).

Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 8.119(J), requests for court records must be processed within a reasonable time, typically within 5-7 business days depending on the complexity of the request and current workload.

How To Look Up Court Records in Berrien County Online?

Berrien County provides several online resources for accessing court records electronically. The following online portals are currently available for searching court records:

MiCOURT Case Search:

Navigate to the MiCOURT Case Search portal
Select "Berrien County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu
Enter search criteria (case number, party name, business name, or attorney)
Specify case type if known (civil, criminal, probate, etc.)
Review search results showing basic case information
Access available documents if electronic copies are linked

This system provides access to:

Case numbers and filing dates
Party names and attorney information
Hearing schedules
Case status and disposition
Register of actions (docket entries)

Michigan Courts Case Search:

Visit the Michigan Courts Case Search website
Select "Berrien County" from the available courts
Enter search parameters as directed
Review case information available through the state judiciary portal

Berrien County Public Records Portal:

Access the Berrien County Public Records page
Select "Court Records Request" from the available options
Follow the instructions for online record searches
Submit requests for specific documents not available online

It should be noted that while basic case information is typically available online, complete case files with all documents may require in-person requests or formal document requests through the clerk's office. Additionally, certain case types (such as juvenile, adoption, or sealed cases) may not be available through online search portals due to confidentiality restrictions.

How To Search Berrien County Court Records for Free?

Michigan law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, as established in Michigan Court Rule 8.119(H) which states that "the court may not charge a fee for providing court records for examination." The following methods are available for searching Berrien County court records at no cost:

Free In-Person Inspection:

Visit the Berrien County Clerk's Office during regular business hours
Request to view specific case files or docket information
Provide case number or party names to assist in locating records
Examine records in designated public viewing areas

Free Online Resources:

MiCOURT Case Search - Basic case information is available at no charge
Michigan Courts Case Search - Free access to case status and docket information
Berrien County Public Records - Information about available court records

While inspection of records is free, fees apply for:

Copies of documents ($1 per page)
Certified copies ($11 for first page, $1 each additional page)
Record checks ($10 per individual)
Expedited service (additional fees may apply)

The Berrien County Trial Court maintains public access terminals at courthouse locations where members of the public may search court records electronically without charge. These terminals are available during regular business hours at:

Berrien County Courthouse - St. Joseph
811 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

South County Building - Niles
1205 N. Front Street
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 684-5274
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

What's Included in a Berrien County Court Record?

Court records in Berrien County contain various documents depending on the case type and stage of proceedings. Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 8.119, court records typically include the following components:

Case Files:

Complaints, petitions, or indictments initiating cases
Answers, responses, or pleas
Motions and supporting briefs
Court orders and judgments
Stipulations between parties
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Affidavits and declarations
Notices of appeal
Settlement agreements (if not sealed)

Register of Actions (Docket):

Chronological listing of all case events
Filing dates of all documents
Hearing dates and outcomes
Judge assignments
Service information
Fee payments
Case status updates

Judgment Records:

Final judgments in civil cases
Sentencing information in criminal cases
Child support and custody determinations
Probate decisions and estate distributions
Divorce decrees and property settlements

Calendars and Scheduling Information:

Court appearance dates
Trial schedules
Motion hearing dates
Status conference schedules

Transcripts:

Official court reporter transcriptions of proceedings
Audio recordings of hearings (in some courts)

Additional Documentation:

Probation reports (access may be restricted)
Financial statements (may be partially redacted)
Medical records (if submitted as evidence)
Psychological evaluations (access often restricted)
Guardian ad litem reports

It should be noted that certain sensitive information is typically redacted from public court records in accordance with Michigan Court Rule 8.119(D), including:

Social Security numbers
Financial account numbers
Driver's license numbers
Names of minor children in certain cases
Victim information in criminal sexual conduct cases

How Long Does Berrien County Keep Court Records?

Berrien County maintains court records according to the retention schedules established by the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Court Administrative Office. These retention periods vary based on case type and document classification as outlined in the Michigan Trial Court Records Management Standards.

The following retention periods currently apply to major case types:

Civil Cases:

General civil cases: 10 years after case closure
Small claims: 6 years after judgment
Landlord-tenant: 6 years after case closure
Civil appeals: 25 years after final order

Criminal Cases:

Felonies: 75 years after conviction or acquittal
Misdemeanors: 10 years after conviction or acquittal
Traffic offenses: 7 years after disposition
Criminal appeals: 75 years after final order

Family Division Cases:

Divorce with minor children: 82 years after filing
Divorce without minor children: 30 years after judgment
Child custody: Until youngest child reaches age 24
Paternity: 82 years after filing
Personal protection orders: 7 years after expiration

Probate Cases:

Decedent estates: 10 years after closing
Guardianships: 10 years after termination
Conservatorships: 10 years after termination
Mental health proceedings: 10 years after case closure

Juvenile Cases:

Delinquency: Until age 30 (if adjudicated) or age 17 (if dismissed)
Child protective proceedings: 82 years after filing

Pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.1428, courts may digitize records for long-term preservation. After digitization, original paper records may be destroyed according to approved schedules. Records of historical significance may be transferred to the Archives of Michigan for permanent preservation rather than being destroyed.

The Berrien County Clerk's Office maintains an archival system for older records that have not yet reached their destruction date. Requests for archived records may require additional processing time and may incur additional retrieval fees.

Types of Courts In Berrien County

Berrien County operates under a consolidated court system known as the Berrien County Trial Court, which was established as a pilot project by the Michigan Supreme Court. This consolidated structure includes the following divisions:

Berrien County Circuit Court
811 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Berrien County Circuit Court

Berrien County District Court - St. Joseph
811 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Berrien County District Court

Berrien County District Court - Niles
1205 N. Front Street
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 684-5274
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Berrien County District Court

Berrien County Probate Court
811 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Berrien County Probate Court

Berrien County Family Division
811 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Berrien County Family Division

The court hierarchy for cases originating in Berrien County follows this structure:

Berrien County Trial Court (Circuit/District/Probate)
Michigan Court of Appeals
Michigan Supreme Court

For federal matters, Berrien County falls within the jurisdiction of:

U.S. District Court - Western District of Michigan
410 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 337-5706
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
U.S. District Court - Western District of Michigan

What Types of Cases Do Berrien County Courts Hear?

The Berrien County Trial Court system adjudicates a wide range of legal matters through its specialized divisions. Each court within the system has jurisdiction over specific case types as established by Michigan law:

Circuit Court Division:

Felony criminal cases (punishable by more than one year imprisonment)
Civil lawsuits with claims exceeding $25,000
Real property disputes
Appeals from district court, administrative agencies, and some probate matters
Superintending control over lower courts
Personal protection orders
Business court cases (commercial and business disputes)

District Court Division:

Misdemeanor criminal cases (punishable by up to one year imprisonment)
Civil lawsuits with claims up to $25,000
Small claims cases (up to $6,500)
Landlord-tenant disputes and land contract forfeitures
Traffic violations and civil infractions
Preliminary examinations in felony cases
Search and arrest warrants
Ordinance violations

Probate Court Division:

Decedent estate administration
Will contests
Trust administration and disputes
Guardianships and conservatorships for incapacitated individuals
Mental health commitment proceedings
Emancipation of minors

Family Division:

Divorce and legal separation
Child custody, parenting time, and support
Paternity establishment
Personal protection orders in domestic relationships
Juvenile delinquency proceedings
Child protective proceedings (abuse and neglect)
Adoptions
Name changes

The consolidated court structure in Berrien County allows for efficient case management and specialized handling of different case types while maintaining unified administration. Judges may be cross-assigned between divisions to balance caseloads and provide specialized expertise when needed.

How To Find a Court Docket In Berrien County

Court dockets, which provide a chronological listing of all proceedings and filings in a case, are accessible through several methods in Berrien County. Members of the public may locate docket information through the following options:

Online Docket Search:

Visit the MiCOURT Case Search portal
Select "Berrien County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
Enter search criteria (case number, party name, etc.)
Review the register of actions (docket) for the selected case
Note that some older cases may not be fully available online

In-Person Docket Review:

Visit the appropriate court clerk's office during business hours
Request to view the docket for a specific case
Provide case number or party names to assist in locating the docket
Review the docket at public access terminals or in paper form if electronic records are unavailable

Daily Court Calendars:

Access the Berrien County Trial Court website
Navigate to the court calendar section
View scheduled hearings by date, courtroom, or judge
Note that calendars typically show upcoming hearings rather than complete case histories

Written Docket Request:

Complete a Court Records Request form
Specify that you are requesting docket information
Submit the form in person, by mail, or electronically as directed
Pay applicable fees for printed docket copies

For criminal cases, docket information typically includes arraignment dates, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, trial dates, and sentencing information. Civil case dockets generally show complaint filing, answer dates, motion hearings, settlement conferences, and trial scheduling.

Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 8.119, docket information is considered public record unless the entire case has been sealed by court order or is confidential by statute (such as certain juvenile or adoption proceedings).

Which Courts in Berrien County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Michigan's judicial system, a "court of record" is defined as a court that creates and maintains verbatim transcripts or recordings of its proceedings, as specified in Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.8331. These records serve as the official account of court proceedings and are essential for appeals and historical documentation.

In Berrien County, all courts within the Berrien County Trial Court system are courts of record, including:

Circuit Court
District Court
Probate Court
Family Division

However, the following adjudicative bodies in Berrien County are not courts of record:

Small Claims Division of District Court: When operating in small claims mode, proceedings are informal and not recorded verbatim. Appeals from small claims decisions are heard de novo (completely new hearing) in district court rather than based on a transcript review. Parties who choose small claims jurisdiction waive their right to an attorney and to a court reporter.

Administrative Hearing Bodies:

Zoning boards of appeal
Property tax boards of review
Code enforcement hearings
School disciplinary hearings

These administrative bodies typically maintain minutes and written decisions but do not create verbatim transcripts that would qualify them as courts of record under Michigan law.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Proceedings:

Mediation sessions
Case evaluation panels
Arbitration proceedings (unless specifically ordered to be on the record)

It is important to note that under the consolidated court structure in Berrien County, even informal proceedings like small claims hearings are conducted under the authority of courts of record, though the specific proceedings themselves may not be recorded verbatim.

Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 8.108, courts of record must record all proceedings in a format approved by the State Court Administrative Office, and these recordings must be maintained according to established retention schedules.