4th Circuit Court, Michigan
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The 4th Circuit Court resides in Michigan. Click on the links below to learn more about the court's...
Jurisdiction
This court holds the following jurisdiction:[1]
| “ | The circuit court is referred to as the trial court of general jurisdiction in Michigan because of its very broad powers. Circuit court has jurisdiction over all actions except those given by state law to another court. Generally speaking, circuit court has original jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more than $25,000; in all criminal cases where the offense involves a felony or certain serious misdemeanors; and in all family cases and domestic relations cases such as divorce, paternity actions, juvenile proceedings, and adoptions.[2] | ” |
Selection method
- See also: Judicial selection in the states
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The 221 judges of the Michigan Circuit Courts are selected in an identical manner, each serving six-year terms. They are chosen in nonpartisan elections and must face re-election if they wish to continue serving. Candidates are placed on the ballot via nonpartisan primaries or by nominating petitions.[3] Sitting judges who reach age 70 are allowed to serve out the remainder of their term.[4]
Selection of the chief judge
The chief judges of the circuit courts are appointed by the state supreme court to two-year terms.[3]
Qualifications
To be elected to either of these courts, a judge must:[3]
- be a qualified elector of his or her district;
- be licensed to practice law in the state;
- have at least five years of law practice experience; and
- be under the age of 70.
Judicial elections in Michigan
- See also: Michigan judicial elections
Michigan is one of 12 states that uses nonpartisan elections to select judges and does not use retention elections for subsequent terms. To read more about how states use judicial elections to select judges across the country, click here.
Primary election
If there are more than twice the number of candidates than there are judgeships up for election, the race will appear on the primary election ballot. In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election.
General election
If there are not more than twice the amount of candidates than there are persons to be elected, the race will not appear on the primary election ballot, but only on the general election ballot.[5]
Ties
If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. In a process run by a county clerk, the candidates choose slips of paper from a box that say either "elected" or "not elected".[6]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Michigan Manual 2009-2010 - michigan trial courts," accessed May 18, 2023
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Michigan," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Daily, "Washtenaw County judge announces early retirement," May 1, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Michigan Election Law, Section 168.540," accessed July 9, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Michigan Election Law, Section 168.851," accessed August 27, 2014
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan
State courts:
Michigan Supreme Court • Michigan Court of Appeals • Michigan Circuit Court • Michigan Court of Claims • Michigan District Courts • Michigan Municipal Courts • Michigan Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in Michigan • Michigan judicial elections • Judicial selection in Michigan
