Find Hillsdale County Bench Warrants
Hillsdale County bench warrants are handled by the 1st Circuit Court and the 2B District Court at the Hillsdale County Courthouse. The county seat is Hillsdale, and about 46,000 people live here. This south-central Michigan county has its own local case lookup tools in addition to the statewide MiCOURT system. When you miss a court date or break a court order, a bench warrant can be issued. You can search online, call the court clerk at (517) 437-4321, or contact the sheriff at (517) 437-7317. This page covers all the ways to find and resolve bench warrants in Hillsdale County.
Hillsdale County Court Overview
1st Circuit Court Bench Warrants
The 1st Circuit Court is at the Hillsdale County Courthouse, 29 N. Howell Street, Room 6, Hillsdale, MI 49242. Phone is (517) 437-4321 and fax is (517) 437-3392. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Judge Sara Lisznyai presides over felony cases, civil matters over $25,000, and family court proceedings.
The screenshot below shows the 1st Circuit Court page with information about case lookups and court procedures.
The Hillsdale County Clerk handles Circuit Court records. The clerk is at 29 N. Howell Street, Room 1. Phone is (517) 437-3391, fax is (517) 437-3392, and email is mkast@co.hillsdale.mi.us. Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The county has its own Circuit Court case lookup tool online.
Circuit Court bench warrants in Hillsdale County typically involve felony failures to appear, probation violations, and contempt of court. The warrant goes into LEIN and stays active indefinitely.
2B District Court Warrants in Hillsdale
The 2B District Court is at the Hillsdale County Courthouse Annex, 49 N. Howell Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242. Phone is (517) 437-7329 and fax is (517) 437-2908. Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Judge Megan R. Stiverson handles misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, small claims, and preliminary felony exams. Court Administrator Rachel Doxtader runs daily operations.
The 2B District Court has its own case lookup tool on the county website. This is separate from MiCOURT and may have different data. Check both systems for a more complete picture of case records.
Most bench warrants in Hillsdale County come from District Court. Missed arraignments, traffic hearing no-shows, and unpaid fines are the main causes. E-filing is available through the District Court e-filing page.
Hillsdale County Sheriff and Warrant Checks
The Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office is at 165 W. Fayette Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242. Phone is (517) 437-7317 and fax is (517) 437-7328. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sheriff Scott B. Hodshire runs the office.
The Hillsdale County website shown in the screenshot below provides links to the sheriff's office and courts for bench warrant information.
To check for a warrant, call (517) 437-7317. You can also check the 2B District Court case lookup or the MiCOURT portal online. The sheriff handles FOIA requests for public records. In-person warrant checks need a valid photo ID.
Services at the sheriff's office include gun registration, CPL applications, fingerprinting, and background checks. A mobile app is also available for alerts and tips.
Searching Hillsdale County Bench Warrants
You have several ways to search for bench warrants in Hillsdale County:
- Use the MiCOURT Case Search for statewide records
- Check the Circuit Court case lookup on the county site
- Use the District Court case lookup for misdemeanor and traffic records
- Call the sheriff at (517) 437-7317 for live warrant status
These online tools show case history and docket entries but may not reflect live warrant status. For real-time confirmation, a phone call to the sheriff or court clerk is the most reliable option.
Resolving Hillsdale County Bench Warrants
Contact the court that issued your warrant. Circuit Court is at (517) 437-4321. District Court is at (517) 437-7329. Ask about the bond and how to turn yourself in. An attorney can file a motion to quash the warrant. The Hillsdale County Courts page has links to forms and procedures.
Michigan bench warrants do not expire. Under MCL 764.15, any officer in the state can execute the warrant. Deal with it voluntarily rather than waiting for an arrest during a traffic stop.
Note: Hillsdale County has both Circuit and District Court case lookups on the county website, giving you more search options than most Michigan counties.
Nearby Counties
Hillsdale County is in south-central Michigan near the Ohio and Indiana borders. Nearby counties include: