Final answer:
The organizational structure of the Michigan court system includes state and local courts. The state system consists of a supreme court, appellate courts, and district courts, while the local courts include the circuit court, probate court, municipal court, small claims court, and court of claims. Michigan is part of the 6th Circuit Court, and there are 13 appellate courts organized into 12 regional circuits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organizational structure of the Michigan court system includes a state supreme court, appellate courts, and other courts. The Michigan Supreme Court has seven justices who serve eight-year terms and are elected on the non-partisan section of the ballot. The Michigan Court of Appeals has nine judges who serve six-year terms and hold regular hearings in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.
Michigan's local courts consist of the Circuit Court, Probate Court, District/Municipal Court, Small Claims Court, and Court of Claims. The Circuit Courts, with 57 judges, hear civil cases involving over $25,000, felony and serious misdemeanor criminal cases, and family cases. Probate Courts, in each county, handle cases regarding wills and estates as well as cases involving juveniles. District/Municipal Courts deal with minor misdemeanor cases and traffic violations, while the Small Claims Court handles civil cases valued at $5,500 or less.
Michigan is also part of the 6th Circuit Court, which includes Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. There are 13 appellate courts organized into 12 regional circuits, with three judges in each court. Michigan's appellate court is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.