City Guide
County Courts
County Courts
The area court system comprises the Washtenaw County Trial Court for the 22nd Judicial Circuit and Judicial District Courts 14A, 14B (Ypsilanti Township cases), and 15 (Ann Arbor cases). ewashtenaw.org" target="_new">courts.ewashtenaw.org
The 22 Circuit Court (222-3270), located in the county courthouse at 101 E. Huron at N. Main, is composed of the civil/criminal division, which hears civil cases involving claims of more than $25,000 and all felony cases, and the family division (includes juvenile court, friend of the court, and probate court). Circuit court judges are: Archie Brown, Timothy Connors, Nancy Francis, Melinda Morris, Darlene O’Brien, Donald Shelton, and David Swartz. Court administrator: Daniel Dwyer. washtenawtrialcourt.org
Family Division. 222-3001. Handles child custody, support, and visitation; personal protection orders; and cases involving estates, juvenile delinquency, neglect, abuse, and mental health. Also handles divorce cases (parties are required to attend a mediation education session), confirms adoptions, and hears requests for waivers from minors seeking abortion without parental consent. Juvenile cases are heard at 101 E. Huron (222-6900). Anyone may petition the court to issue a personal protection order to stop or restrain another person from harassing, beating, wounding, stalking, or assaulting. If you are in immediate danger, you may request an ex parte order, which may be signed without a hearing and without notifying the other party; otherwise, a hearing will be scheduled. Forms are available at court services, 101 E. Huron. There is no fee to file a complaint, but the petitioner must pay the cost of serving the restraining order.
Friend of the Court, 101 E. Huron, 1st floor. 222-3050. Automated account information line, 994-9261 (have your case number ready). Case-specific questions may also be emailed to intake@ewashtenaw.org. The Friend of the Court helps resolve disputes involving divorce, child custody, parenting time, and support. Mediation at no charge for child custody or visitation disputes. The agency also enforces court-ordered child support, spousal support, and parenting time agreements. Support enforcement proceedings may begin automatically if payments fall behind or upon request of the recipient. Parenting time enforcement requires a written request.
District Courts. In the Ann Arbor area, District 14A and District 15 courts hear civil cases involving less than $25,000, including most landlord-tenant disputes, and handle criminal misdemeanors and felony preliminary exams and pleas. Disputes of $3,000 or less are small claims, which are heard without lawyers and juries and cannot be appealed. There is a $500 maximum award for accident-caused damage to motor vehicles. Filing fee is $25 (more for claims over $600). The court charges a small additional amount to serve papers. Cases are heard approximately 3-4 weeks after filing. A magistrate usually presides.
The 15th District Court, 301 E. Huron. Its traffic/criminal division (794-6750) and civil division (794-6752) cover the City of Ann Arbor. Judges are Julie Creal, Elizabeth P. Hines, and Christopher Easthope. Magistrate M. Colleen Currie. 15thdistrictcourt.org
14A District Court serves all of Washtenaw County except Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Twp. Judges are Richard Conlin, Kirk Tabbey, and J. Cedric Simpson. Traffic infractions outside Ann Arbor are normally heard at the Division 14A Traffic Bureau at the Washtenaw County Service Center, 4133 Washtenaw (entrance on Hogback; 973-4545). Nontraffic civil infractions and criminal cases originating in Pittsfield, Superior, and Ann Arbor townships and the village of Barton Hills are heard at Division 14A-1, also at 4133 Washtenaw; those originating in Freedom, Lima, Lodi, Northfield, Scio, and Webster townships are heard at Division 14A-3, 122 S. Main in Chelsea (475-8606). All locations open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Jury service. Jurors are chosen at random from a list of licensed drivers and state identification card holders in Washtenaw county. Service is for 1 week or 1 trial. Compensation varies by court. 22nd Circuit Court, 222-3354; 14A-1 District Court, 973-4480; 14A-3 District Court, 475-8606 ext. 2120; 15th District Court, 222-3388.
Marriages may be officiated by probate judge Nancy Wheeler (222-3351) and judge Darlene O'Brien (222-3006). Online marriage license applications and a list of officiants are on the county’s website, ewashtenaw.org. (click on government, then clerk/register of deeds, then marriages).
