57th Circuit Court
Mailing Address: 200 Division St. Suite 100, Petoskey, MI 49770
Phone: (231) 348-1711
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See Court’s specific hours and holiday schedule, click here.
Circuit Court Judge
Honorable Jennifer Deegan
Judge Deegan was appointed to bench in the 57th Circuit Court on April 16, 2021 by Governor Whitmer following the retirement of Judge Charles Johnson. 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 (cases where the accused, if found guilty, could be sent to prison). The family division of 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. In addition, the circuit court hears cases appealed from the other trial courts or from administrative agencies. There are 57 Circuit Courts in Michigan. Circuit court judges are elected for six-year terms.
CIRCUIT COURT STAFF
RACHELLE GAINES – Circuit Court Administrator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (231) 348-1741
Kimberly Sweebe– Deputy Court Administrator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (231) 348-1748
SAVANA CADARETTE – Legal Court Clerk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (231) 348-0697
Circuit Court Docket
(Anyone with a non-public case will not appear on this calendar. Contact your attorney or the court to verify your hearing date/time if your case is non-public.)
Online records search is now available
The State of Michigan provides basic information for public cases and may be viewed online or by mobile device. Please note the online records search function does not work well with the Internet Explorer browser. It is recommended that users switch to Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when accessing the online records search here: https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/court/C57
POLICY REGARDING REMOTE PARTICIPATION IN COURT PROCEEDINGS
All Circuit Court hearings will be held in person unless you get permission from Court staff at least 3 days prior to the scheduled hearing for good cause.
Remote Participation Policy
– – – Addendum to Remote Participation Policy
Notice of Hearing with Remote Participation Form
Contact Information Form for Remote Participants
Friend of the Court
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.
Circuit Court Referee
The Circuit Court Referee rules on motions regarding such issues as parenting time, child support, custody and other related disputes. The Referee works closely with Friend of the Court staff during these hearings. The Circuit Court Referee is Kyle Legel.
Important Information for Counsel and Litigants
The following information is available for counsel and litigants:
PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORT (PSIR)
EXHIBIT PROCEDURES
JUDICIAL HEARING/OBJECTIONS TO REFEREE RECOMENDATIONS
JURY TRIAL GUIDELINES
SUMMARY DISPOSITION MOTIONS
MOTIONS TO COMPEL
AUDIO/VISUAL RECORDING SYSTEM INFORMATION
POLICY FOR ZOOM EVIDENTIARY HEARINGS & TRIALS
More information on Michigan Courts, including different courts of the state, court forms, court rules, and case codes types can be found at the Michigan Courts web site.
Approved Bond Agencies
POLICY AND PROCEDURE MEMORANDUM
BOND AGENCY APPLICATION AND AFFIDAVIT
BOND AGENT APPLICATION AND AFFIDAVIT
2024 BONDSMAN LIST
POLICY REGARDING EMAILS AND FACSIMILE TRANSMITTALS
It is the policy of the 57th Circuit Court that the Court will not accept pleadings via email and/or fax. Additionally, a Judge’s Copy must be provided with every pleading and tabbed accordingly.