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Berrien County Trial Court
Berrien County Courthouse
811 Port St
St. Joseph, MI 49085
811 Port St
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: 269-982-0392
Fax: 269-982-8643
Fax: 269-982-8643
Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court in Berrien County have been merged into Berrien County Trial Court, which consists of Civil, Criminal, and Family Divisions.
Online Court Resources
Resources for the Berrien County Trial Court as well as online resources applicable to courts generally in Berrien County, Michigan, and resources applicable to all courts in Michigan.
Search court case records
Berrien County Trial Court Case Records
Search Berrien County Trial Court case records online.
Criminal History Search
Search criminal histories by name and date of birth. Registration is required and a fee applies.
Dockets, calendars, and other information about court cases
Berrien County Trial Court Calendars
Search Berrien County Trial Court calendars online. On the search page, select the "Calendar Search" tab.
Published opinions and orders
Berrien County Trial Court Administrative Orders
View Berrien County Trial Court administrative orders by number, title, and effective date.
Attorney General Legal Opinions
Search Michigan Attorney General opinions from 1963 to present. Search by full text, keyword, subject, headnote, or opinion number.
Forms and related information
Berrien County Court Forms
View and download a copy request, vehicle registration transfer, and family and probate forms for use in Berrien County Trial Court. Select the Courts menu item for links to forms.
Online Court Forms
View and download forms for various legal issues and general court procedure. Categories of available forms include, but are not limited to: civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, juvenile, landlord/tenant, mental health, motor vehicle, name change, personal protection, and small claims. Forms are organized by subject and may be searched by form number or form name.
Judge Complaint Form and Information
The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission provides instructions and a form to file a grievance against a judge.
Online fine payments
Pay Berrien County Court Fines and Fees and Child Support
Pay Berrien County Trial Court fines and fees, traffic tickets, and Friend of the Court child support payments online. A fee applies.
Child Support Payments
Make Michigan child support payments online. A fee applies.
Self help, legal research, general information
Berrien County Criminal Procedure
The Berrien County Sheriff's Office offers a description of the steps in a criminal case.
Berrien County Friend of the Court
View information about the Berrien County Friend of the Court, which assists the Family Division of Circuit Court in matters of child custody, parenting time, and child support. Links to additional information are in the left column.
Berrien County Legal Self-Help
View information about the Berrien County Self Help Legal Resource Center, which provides information and forms to individuals representing themselves in court proceedings.
Berrien County Personal Protection Orders
View information about Personal Protection Orders in Berrien County, including types of orders and how they are issued.
Berrien County Victim Help
The Berrien County Prosecuting Attorney's Office offers information about victim assistance for domestic violence and protection orders, victims' rights and compensation, criminal terminology and trial procedure, and instructions for witnesses.
Child Custody Information
View and download the Michigan Custody Guideline with detailed information about child custody.
Child Support Case Search
Sign up with this Office of Child Support online service to view child support enforcement and payment information.
Child Support Information
The Michigan Department of Human Services offers information and services related to child support, including starting a case, locating parents, making, changing, and enforcing child support orders, establishing paternity, making payments, and related matters.
Child Support Services Application
View instructions for applying for child support services, with a link to the required form.
Domestic Violence Information
Resources and services to victims of domestic violence, stalking, and date rape are provided, including a directory of shelters.
Friend of the Court Handbook
View and download a handbook of detailed information about the Friend of the Court office, which assists local family court divisions of the circuit courts in matters of child custody, visitation and parenting plans, and child support.
Crime Victim Information
The Michigan Department of Corrections offers information about the parole consideration process, victim notification, crime victims' rights, a victims' compensation application form, brochures, and links to agencies that serve victims.
Foreclosure Prevention Resources
View resources for preventing foreclosure in Michigan, including local housing counseling agencies, state agencies and programs, and a link to legal aid providers.
Problem Solving Courts
Problem Solving Courts are programs administered by Michigan Circuit and District Courts to provide alternatives to incarceration by offering treatment, education, and community service options for certain offenders. Court types include: Drug, DWI, Family Dependency, Mental Health, Gun, Domestic Violence, Teen, and Veterans' Treatment.
Victim Resources
The Michigan Attorney General's Office offers information about victims' rights and compensation, links to additional state and local services and resources, and contact information for local county victim service agencies.
Consumer Protection Guide
View and download a Consumer Protection Guide with information about consumer rights, legal actions, fraud prevention, and a directory of advocacy organizations and agencies.
Court Rules
Search Michigan Court Rules and other rules related to court procedure, including the regulation of lawyers and judges, by keyword. Michigan Court Rules are displayed by rule type and chapter.
Court Services and Procedures
View information about going to court in Michigan, including an overview of court processes, forms and instructions, a legal terms handbook, alternative dispute resolution, and various court services, such as interpreter and disability accommodation requests.
Michigan Compiled Laws, Acts, and Constitution
Search Michigan statutes and the Michigan Constitution by section or statute number, popular name, chapter, or keyword. Links to state legislative resources, including pending and signed bills, committee types, members, and schedules, and a directory of state legislators are also included.
Michigan Law Libraries
View information about the State Law Library including print and online legal research resources, available library services, and a directory of local law libraries by region.
Michigan Legal Help
Michigan Legal Help provides information on a variety of civil matters, including family law, abuse prevention and victim protection, consumer, housing, public benefits, employment, and estate and guardianship. Self-help resources include guides and articles by legal topic, forms, instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Office of Dispute Resolution
Find information about alternative dispute resolution in Michigan, including an online guide to mediation procedures, an instructional video, brochures and pamphlets, and Community Dispute Resolution Program.
Tribal Court Information
View information about Native American Tribal Courts in Michigan, with contacts and links to individual court websites.
Legal aid, free services, lawyer referral
A Practical Guide to Hiring a Lawyer
The State Bar of Michigan offers an instructional guide to assist individuals in finding, selecting, and hiring a lawyer.
Complaints Against Attorneys, Judges, and Court Personnel
View the procedure for filing a complaint against a Michigan judge, attorney, and other court personnel (including court reporters and interpreters).
Complaints Against Judges
View information about how to file a complaint against a judge and link to records of pending and resolved disciplinary proceedings.
Directory of Free and Low-Cost Legal Services
View organizations offering free and low-cost legal services to low-income residents, by county and by legal issue.
Find Attorney Discipline Records
The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board offers online access to notices of discipline, disability, and reinstatement since October 1978 by attorney last name.
Find Legal Assistance
View information about lawyer referral services, community legal resource and assistance centers, and court-appointed attorneys.
Free and Low-Cost Legal Services Search
Search legal service providers by type of service and county, with contact information and links to organizations' websites. These organizations provide free and low-cost legal assistance to low-income residents.
Lawyer Directory
Search the Michigan Bar Association directory of member lawyers by type of lawyer and location.
Lawyer Referral Services
The State Bar of Michigan offers a statewide lawyer referral service by telephone or online request form for a nominal fee, which includes an initial consultation with a lawyer.
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