Judges
The court has a Chief Judge, who is elected countywide, and associate judges, who are appointed by the Governor. Each judge is assigned a docket and a courtroom.
Hon. Emily ChenChief Judge
- Docket
- Administrative
- Courtroom
- 1C
Hon. Sarah JenkinsAssociate Judge
- Docket
- Criminal
- Courtroom
- 2A
Hon. Michael TorresAssociate Judge
- Docket
- Civil
- Courtroom
- 3B
Magistrates and court mediator
Magistrates are appointed by the Chief Judge and handle routine matters. The court mediator helps parties in civil cases try to settle before trial.
Daniel R. HughesMagistrate
- Handles
- Traffic matters
Priya N. ShahMagistrate
- Handles
- Routine matters
Lisa GrantCourt Mediator
- Handles
- Civil mediation
Departments
| Department | What they do | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk's Office | Accepts and reviews filings, keeps case records and dockets, and issues copies | (810) 555-0101 |
| Probation Department | Supervises people sentenced to probation and reports to the court | (810) 555-0102 |
| Court Services | Interpreters, mediation, and help for people who need accommodations | (810) 555-0103 |
| Court Security | Building screening and courtroom safety | (810) 555-0104 |
Court staff can explain procedures, but they can't give legal advice. Most requests, like filing a document or paying a fine, can be done online through the Online Portal.
Other offices you may deal with
These offices work with the court but are not part of it:
- Genesee County Prosecutor's Office: brings criminal cases on behalf of the State.
- Public Defender Office: represents people who are accused of a crime and can't afford a lawyer.
To find out how to get a lawyer, see Self Help.