Judge Jessie Scott Wood
The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Michigan. It has jurisdiction over all actions except those given by state law or federal law to another court. There are 2 Judges currently sitting on the 18th Circuit Court.
The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more than $25,000, in all criminal cases where the offense is a felony or certain serious misdemeanors. The Circuit Court handles all domestic relations cases, including Personal Protection Orders.
The Circuit Court also hears appeals from lower courts; appeals from local government boards such as zoning appeals; and appeals from some administrative agencies of state government (such as the Driver's License Appeal Division of the Secretary of State).
The Circuit Court is also in charge of Jury Services
The Family Division of the Circuit Court handles all child protective proceedings (child neglect and abuse cases) and juvenile delinquency cases. Probate & Juvenile Court
Court Forms
Please visit the State Court Administrative Office's (SCAO) website for the most up-to-date court forms to search for a form.
Michigan Legal Help has tools and information to help you understand and manage your legal problems.
Circuit Court Probation
The Probation Department of the Circuit Court gathers information on all aspects of some defendant’s lives and analyzes the individuals past criminal record as a juvenile and as an adult. The Probation Division staff provides supervision to those criminals sentenced to community probation, which is intended to rehabilitate the individual through the use of counseling and vocational education.
Jury Board
Ever wonder how you were selected to serve on a jury? Potential jurors are selected from state drivers' license lists and personal identification card holder lists, not from voter registration lists, as in the past. It is the responsibility of the three-member Jury Board to follow the procedures provided by law.
Friend of the Court
The Friend of the Court is established as an arm of the Circuit Court to examine all records and files in divorce cases where orders or decrees have been issued with dependent minor children involved. The Friend of the Court makes recommendations to the Circuit Court on matters concerning custody and support, receives accounts, and disburses child support and alimony payments.
A handbook explaining Friend of the Court functions is available at the Friend of the Court Office.
The Friend of the Court, Prosecutor, and the Office of Child Support continually assist each other by providing information that may be available in helping to locate an absent parent, establish paternity, secure support, or prosecute fraud relating to paternity and/or child support.
