What is Circuit Court?
The state is divided into judicial circuits along county lines. The State Legislature determines the number of judges within a circuit based upon the court caseload. In less populated rural areas, there are multi-county circuits, and judges travel from one county to another to hold court sessions. The 28th Circuit Court is a multi-county circuit which encompasses both Wexford and Missaukee Counties. Court sessions are, therefore, held in both Cadillac and Lake City, which are the county seats for Wexford and Missaukee Counties, respectively.
The Circuit Court is the trial court with the broadest powers in Michigan. In general, the Circuit Court handles all civil cases with claims of more than $25,000, and all felony criminal cases (case where the accused, if found guilty, could be sent to prison). The Family Division of the Circuit Court handles all cases regarding divorce, paternity, adoptions, personal protection actions, emancipation of minors, treatment and testing of infectious disease, safe delivery of newborns, name changes, juvenile offenses and delinquency, juvenile guardianship, and child abuse and neglect. The Friend of the Court office is part of the Family Division of the Circuit Court and handles domestic relations cases where minor children are involved. In addition, the Circuit Court hears cases appealed from other trial courts or from administrative agencies.
Circuit Judges are elected by the registered voters within their circuit for six year terms in nonpartisan elections. The State Legislature sets the qualifications for a Circuit Judge. Currently, a candidate must be a qualified elector, a resident of the judicial circuit, a lawyer who has been licensed to practice law for at least five years, and under 70 years of age. Circuit Judges are state employees, and their salaries are set by the State Legislature.