Courts and Friend of the Court

The Otsego County Judicial System is comprised of three different constitutional or statutory courts. These courts are the 46^th Circuit Court, the 87-A District Court and the Otsego County Probate Court.

With the approval from the Michigan Supreme Court, all of the elected judges serving Otsego County entered into an agreement called a Concurrent Jurisdiction Plan, whereby the entire judicial system operates as a unified trial court within Otsego County. This merged court system results in a more efficient use of judges and court personnel, simplifies case handling, reduces repetition, provides for  better service to the citizens in Otsego County, continues to curtail the rising costs of the judicial system where practical, and results in a reduction of receivables due the court.  

One court administrator is appointed to assist the three chief judges with all administrative matters of the judicial system. Court policies, procedures and rules are governed by one of the following authorities: Federal and Michigan Constitutions, Federal or Michigan Statutes, Michigan Court Rules, Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Orders, directives from the State Court Administrator’s Office, directives from state regulatory agencies, or local directives from the Chief Judges.

Additional information about the Otsego County Judicial System is available on the web at www.circuit46.org.