Oakland County Superior Court Case Search

The Oakland County Circuit Court is the highest in the county’s three-court system. This makes it the most superior court in the county. The other courts are the District Court and the Probate Court. All the cases heard at this court are duly recorded and are maintained by the Clerk’s Office. The Office’s Legal Records Division is responsible for keeping all records for civil, domestic, and felony criminal case types. The division also manages a Court Explorer page that allows users to search for cases at the Circuit Court. A person may want to look for a particular court case because they want to either conduct legal research or run a background check.

What Kinds of cases have been heard in Oakland Superior Court?

The Oakland County Court possesses general jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. However, it typically handles cases beyond lesser courts' jurisdiction. The court hears criminal cases such as felonies, lesser-included offenses, and juvenile delinquency. The civil cases under the purview of the District Court are general civil cases with more than $25,000 in dispute, equity cases, appeals of administrative agency decisions, domestic relations, and juvenile cases. The Circuit Court also has a Family Division that hears family law cases such as divorce, paternity, adoption, name changes, abuse prevention, child protection, and juvenile delinquency.

Oakland County Superior Court

The Oakland Circuit Court is the most senior court in the county. As a result, it handles criminal and civil matters outside the purview of the District and Probate courts. The Circuit Court allows local residents to settle disputes and amicably seek justice.

Interested parties can find the court at the following address:

6th Circuit Court - Oakland
Oakland County Courthouse
1200 N Telegraph Rd, Dept 413,
Pontiac, MI 48341
Phone: (248) 858-0582

Oakland County Case Lookup

The Oakland County Circuit Courts allows county residents to look up different cases, ranging from criminal and civil cases to family law cases. Interested parties can complete a search using the following methods.

For Online Searches
The Clerk’s Office maintains a Court Explorer page that allows interested parties to look for Circuit Court records. Users do not need to register before accessing records on the system. Record seekers simply need to enter the names of the parties and the case number to search. This service is free to use. However, since it is free, one cannot get certified copies from the portal.

Walk-in Requests
The Clerk’s Office also accepts walk-in requests. It allows this for people who are not computer savvy and would prefer to request court records in person. The office is open between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Additionally, interested must be aware that a request for copies of a court record comes with a fee. It costs $1 per page to acquire regular copies of a court record.

This fee can be paid through a money order or a debit/credit card. Interested parties can find the Clerk’s Office at:

County Clerk
1200 N Telegraph Rd
Building 12E
Pontiac, MI 48341
Phone: (248) 858-0581

Mail-in Requests
In addition to permitting walk-in requests, the Clerk’s Office allows residents to mail their requests for Circuit Court records. Regular copies of Oakland County Circuit Court Records are available for $1 per page from the County Clerk. Certified copies cost an extra ten dollars per case number. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit/debit cards are accepted to pay these non-refundable fees.

Oakland Superior Court Case Search by Name

Occasionally, all the essential information needed to complete a search is unavailable to the record seeker. They may only have the names of the parties to the case. The Clerk’s Office makes name searches available through the following methods:

• Online Search: Record seekers may conduct court case searches by name online through the Court Explorer page. The explore page allows users to search using the full name of the record subject at no cost. However, interested parties must pay a $1 fee for regular and $10 for certified copies.
• In-person Search: Record seekers may also visit the Clerk’s Office to search for Circuit Court records by name. Interested parties simply need to go to the office address and provide the parties' names in the case. The office offers this search service for free. However, fees will apply when the record seeker wants regular or certified copies. It costs $1 for a regular copy and $10 for a certified copy.
• By Email or Fax: Interested parties may submit a name-based search request to the Circuit Court through email or fax. Record seekers can email the circuit court at courtexplorer@oakgov.com to complete a name-based search.

While name-based searches are possible, they have a few drawbacks. For example, the search results will not be precise, leaving searchers with too many cases to go through before they find the right one. Also, such searches may not provide detailed results or basic information on those court cases.

Oakland Superior Court Docket Search

Court dockets are one of the most essential court records. They are a detailed record of a case’s life span. They document all significant actions, filings, and decisions made by the court. It provides essential information such as upcoming hearings, motions filed by either party, judicial rulings, and the overall status of the case. The Court Explorer page allows Oakland County residents to search for court dockets. All they have to do is key in the names of the parties to the case and the case number to find a docket. Court dockets ensure individuals involved in a case stay informed about court dates, ensuring they do not miss critical hearings or filing deadlines. For attorneys and legal professionals, tracking a case’s progress helps with case management. They are also crucial for journalists researching a court case.

Lookup Oakland County Superior Court Online

Residents of Oakland County can use various online resources to search for Circuit Court records. They can use governmental resources like the Court Explorer page. Third-party websites, such as Michigancourtrecords.us, may also offer an option. These websites serve as a convenient alternative to government-run resources. However, while they may be easier to navigate, information on these websites can be wrong. This is because private individuals run them, and maintenance may not be up to standard.

Supreme Court vs. Superior Court

The Oakland County Circuit Court is a trial court with general jurisdiction, meaning it handles a broad range of cases, including criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. It is where cases are first heard, evidence is presented, and a judge or jury makes decisions. If a party disagrees with the outcome, they may appeal the decision to a higher court. This higher court is the Michigan Supreme Court. It is the highest appellate court in the state. It primarily hears cases that involve significant legal questions, constitutional issues, or conflicts in lower court rulings. Decisions made by the Michigan Supreme Court establish precedents that influence courts throughout the state.