53rd Circuit Court

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PUBLIC RECORDS

Please follow the link below to search public cases

CASE SEARCH

COURT DOCKET

Please follow the link below to see our current court schedule.
–53rd Circuit Court

Judge Gauthier

–53rd Circuit Family Court

Judge Vizina

Circuit Court Jurisdiction

• Civil cases of $25,000 or more
• Criminal felony cases
• Equity cases
• Domestic cases including the following “Family Court” matters:
• Divorce
• Personal Protection Order
• Paternity Action
• Child Support (micase)
• Visitation/Parenting Time
• Custody

For In Pro Per legal guidance please visit http://michiganlegalhelp.org .

We are proud to announce that the courts now have a Michigan Legal Self Help Center in our courthouse!! The center includes a work station (computer/printer/scanner/webcam). Via the Self Help work station you may visit michiganlegalhelp.org to draft documents through an interactive interview which fills in forms appropriately from your answers. The webcam/computer is set up to allow the public to attend court via zoom in our county/or another. Michigan Legal Help has provided the Self Help Center with a remote navigator that you may contact directly through zoom and have an actual conversation with. A printer and paper are provided for you to print out court forms you create. The Self Help Center also has blank forms printed out for you to take home and fill out and file at your convenience. The center is funded by the Michigan Legal Self Help Center grant and we are excited to be able to offer you this. If you need any assistance with the equipment, please feel free to go to Circuit Court office and staff will assist.

The Michigan Legal Self Help Center can be found on the second floor in the Law Library.

The courtroom is open to the public and we are resuming are hearings to occur in person. We have established a YouTube channel where you may view all public court hearings held by the Honorable Aaron J. Gauthier. Public hearings are live streamed and remain on YouTube. 53rd Circuit Court YouTube Channel

Bonding Agency Application– APPLICATION FOR THE 2026 Bondsmen List has now opened. Bond Agencies/Agents may submit applications beginning October 1st-December 15th. For your convenience we have attached documents to assist you with this procedure.

Bonding Agency Policy and Procedures Memorandum

Bond Agency Application and Affidavit

Order of Approved List of Surety Bail Bond Agents-for submission by bond agency

2025 Cheboygan County Approved Bondsmen List

2025 Presque Isle County Approved Bondsmen List

Please see “Court Holidays” for future dates that the Court will be closed.

Helpful Links

Sex Offender Registry

Offender Tracking Information System

Court Rules

Court forms

Secretary of State

Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL)

Michigan Legal Help

Find out if you’re eligible for automatic set aside.

2025-03J Family Court Plan-Cheboygan

Chief Judge

Aaron J Gauthier

Office

870 S. Main Street
Cheboygan, MI 49721
(231) 627-8818

Office email:

53circuit@cheboygancounty.net

Hours

Monday-Friday
8:00am-4:30pm

COURT STAFF

Circuit Court Administrator

Dawn Reo ddm@cheboygancounty.net

(231) 627-8838

Assignment Clerk
Mari LaCross
melacross@cheboygancounty.net
(231) 627-8420

Judicial Assistant
Melissa Lail
mlail@cheboygancounty.net
(231) 627-8818

Recovery Court Coordinator/Case Manager
Nicole Pawlowski