Circuit Court is the highest trial court in the state. The 18th Circuit Court consists of two judge seats. It hears all civil cases involving more than $25,000, and all felony cases and divorce cases. It also hears appeals from District and Probate Courts.
Circuit Court Judges
| 
Judge Jessie Scott Wood | 
Chief Judge Joseph K. Sheeran |
Court Forms
To look up forms to fill out for the Court, click here.
Circuit Court Probation
Bay County Court Facility
Suite 619
1230 Washington Avenue
Bay City, Michigan 48708-5734
989-895-4250 Voice
989-895-2059 TDD/TTY
The Probation Department of the Circuit Court gathers information on all aspects of some defendants life 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
989-895-4272 Voice
Ever wonder how you were selected to serve on a jury? It is the responsibility of the three-member Jury Board to follow the procedures provided by law. Potential jurors are selected from state drivers' license lists and personal identification card holder lists, not from voter registration lists, as in the past.
Friend of the Court
(click here for Friend of the Court's web page)
Bay County Court Facility
Suite 660
1230 Washington Avenue
Bay City, Michigan 48708-5734
(989) 895-4295 Voice
(989) 895-4220 Fax
(989) 895-2059 TDD/TTY
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.
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