Montmorency County Bench Warrants
Bench warrants in Montmorency County are issued by judges in the 26th Circuit Court and the 88th District Court when someone misses a court date or breaks a court order. The county seat is Atlanta, a small town in northeast Lower Michigan. Montmorency County shares the 26th Judicial Circuit with Alpena County, and the 88th District Court also covers both counties. You can search for bench warrant records through the MiCOURT case search, the Montmorency Courts website, or by calling the sheriff's office. This page walks through how to find and resolve bench warrants in Montmorency County.
Montmorency County Court Overview
Montmorency County Court System
The 26th Circuit Court handles felony cases in Montmorency County. The courthouse is at P.O. Box 789, 12265 M-32, Atlanta, MI 49709. Call (989) 785-8022 or fax (989) 785-8023. Chief Judge K. Edward Black presides. County Clerk Cheryl Neilsen can be reached at cneilsen@montcounty.org. This court handles felony crimes, civil cases over $25,000, family law, and appeals from District Court. When a felony defendant fails to appear, this court issues the bench warrant.
The 88th District Court also operates in Montmorency County. Phone is (989) 785-8022 at the Montmorency County Courthouse in Atlanta. This court is shared with Alpena County and covers misdemeanors, traffic cases, civil suits up to $25,000, and small claims. It handles felony arraignments and sets bail. Bench warrants from this court come out when someone misses a hearing on a misdemeanor or traffic case.
Both courts share the same phone number at the Montmorency location. The main 26th Circuit office for Alpena County is at 720 W. Chisholm St., Suite 1, Alpena, MI 49707, reachable at (989) 354-9573.
Search Bench Warrants in Montmorency County
Montmorency County has its own case search tool on the courts website. This lets you look up cases directly through the Montmorency Courts system. You can also use the MiCOURT statewide portal to search by name or case number. Both tools show docket entries and case history. Look for "bench warrant issued" or "failure to appear" notes in the register of actions.
For the most current warrant status, call the Montmorency County Sheriff's Office at (989) 785-4238. Fax is (989) 785-4471. Non-emergency dispatch is (989) 785-4441. Sheriff Chad Brown runs the department from 11045 M-32 West, Atlanta, MI 49709. Email the sheriff at brown@montmorencysheriff.com. The sheriff can confirm if a bench warrant is active. Provide the full legal name and date of birth.
You can also visit the courthouse in person. Bring a photo ID. The clerk's office handles record requests during business hours. Copy fees are standard at about $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page and $1 for each page after.
Note: Montmorency and Alpena Counties share both the Circuit Court and District Court, so bench warrant records may be filed under either county.
Montmorency County Warrant Laws
Bench warrants in Montmorency County follow Michigan state law. Under MCL 764.1, judges can issue warrants on probable cause. A bench warrant comes from the judge's authority to enforce court orders. Failure to appear is the most common reason. Probation violations and unpaid fines are other triggers.
Under MCL 764.15, any peace officer in Michigan can serve the warrant. It goes into LEIN when issued. A traffic stop in any county can flag it. Court records are public under Michigan Court Rule 8.119 and MCL 15.231, with limited exceptions.
To clear a bench warrant, call the court at (989) 785-8022 and ask about your options. You can turn yourself in at the courthouse or hire a lawyer to file a motion to quash. The State Bar of Michigan at (800) 968-0738 offers referrals. Michigan Legal Aid provides free services to qualifying individuals.
Important: Bench warrants in Michigan do not expire. They stay active until the person appears in court, gets arrested, or the judge recalls the warrant.
Resolve a Montmorency County Bench Warrant
Taking care of a bench warrant on your own schedule gives you more control. Call the court at (989) 785-8022 to ask about your case. Find out if bond has been set. If a bond amount is listed on the warrant, you can post it at the jail and get released before the hearing. Walk into the Montmorency County Courthouse during business hours to turn yourself in if needed.
Hiring a lawyer is another good option. An attorney can file a motion to quash the warrant, which asks Chief Judge K. Edward Black to recall it. This lets you come to court voluntarily instead of getting arrested. The Michigan State Bar referral service at (800) 968-0738 can connect you with a criminal defense lawyer in the Atlanta or Alpena area. Michigan Legal Aid provides free legal help for people who qualify based on income.
Nearby Counties
Search neighboring county courts for additional bench warrant records.