Michigan Court Records Search
The Michigan Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court for the state and sees more traffic than any other in the country. This court was established in 1963 by the Michigan State Constitution. The Court of Appeals has 24 judges. There are four Court of Appeals districts and judges are elected in each district.
Circuit and Probate Court decisions may be appealed in the Michigan Court of Appeals. A panel of three judges sits to review the original case, all files, documents, and transcripts along with briefs and oral arguments presented by each side and then they make a decision on the validity of the original verdict. They are ensuring that no errors were made in interpreting and applying the law. Two of the three judges must agree for it to become a binding “opinion.” Some state agency appeals are also resolved in the Court of Appeals. This court has the authority to hear some “original actions, such as complaints for mandamus or superintending control against government officers or actions alleging that state law has imposed an unfunded or inadequately funded mandate on local units of government.”
The Michigan Courts website provides the Court of Appeals history and timeline, information on each of its judges and support staff along with contact details, directions to each courthouse and policies and procedures for the public and the media. It also includes information on disability accommodations in courthouses, weapons policy, recently published opinions, case information and a schedule of upcoming oral arguments and cases. Additionally, the site lists all closings due to holidays, employment opportunities and FAQs for the public.
Decisions made in the Michigan Court of Appeals may be appealed to the Supreme Court, but the highest court in the state rarely approves cases to be reviewed.