Tuscola County

Make a Payment

If you would like to make a payment, click the link below.

Forms

Click the link below to view the list of printable forms commonly used in our courts.This list is not exhaustive, and you are encouraged to review the State Court Administrative Office’s (SCAO) website for additional forms in certain specific circumstances. For forms prepared by the SCAO, we have listed the SCAO’s code for that form to assist in locating the form you need. Other forms on this page have been developed locally by us.

Click HERE to view common forms.

FAQ Page

Click HERE to view our FAQ page.

Case Evaluation

Case Evaluation is governed by MCR 2.403 and MCR 2.404.

Circuit Court Case Evaluation is an alternative dispute resolution process that requires civil cases seeking money damages to be evaluated by a panel of three experienced attorneys. The panel will review written and oral presentations to determine the monetary value of each case. The parties will have 28 days to either accept or reject the recommendation of the case evaluators. Once the 28 days has elapsed all cases that rejected the settlement proposed by the evaluators will proceed to trial. The cases accepting the settlement proposed by the evaluators will be scheduled for a settlement conference to finalize the case.

Fees

Fees are $25.00 per evaluator. Checks should be made directly payable to each evaluator and forwarded to the ADR Clerk within 14 days of receiving the Notice for Case Evaluation.

All parties must pay the case evaluation fee regardless of whether or not their case has been adjourned, dismissed, or settled. The only exception to this policy is if the adjournment, dismissal, or settlement has been submitted to the Judge within the first 14-day period.

Briefs

Case Evaluation briefs are to be submitted to the ADR Clerk no later than 14 days before your case evaluation date. Parties will be assessed a late fee in the amount of $150.00 if briefs are not received timely. Late briefs shall be submitted directly to the evaluators. The $150.00 late fee shall be forwarded to the ADR Clerk as follows: three separate checks in the amount of $50.00 made payable to each of the evaluators.

ADR/Case Evaluation Contact Information

• 54th Judicial Circuit Court
• Attn: Nicole Friday, ADR Clerk
• 440 N. State St.
• Caro, MI 48723
• 989) 673-3330

Thumb Regional Sobriety Court

The Thumb Regional Sobriety Court is a cooperative, interjurisdictional program between the 54th, 52nd, and 24th Judicial Circuit Courts, as well as the 71-B, 73-B, and 73-A Judicial District Courts, with the 54th Circuit serving as the coordinating court for the program. Its mission is to improve public safety in Tuscola, Huron and Sanilac counties by organizing an intensive intervention in the lives of repeat drunken or drugged driving offenders. Intensive court supervision, combined with mandatory treatment, provides a proactive response to the problem of driving while under the influence. This reduces recidivism while minimizing incarceration time, therefore reducing jail expenses to the communities. It also is an opportunity to positively impact lives of offenders and their families, encouraging personal responsibility towards being a law abiding productive and substance free citizen.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please consult our manual. If you have further questions, please contact:

• Heather Walther
• Case Manager
• Thumb Regional Sobriety Court
• 440 N. State St.
• Caro, MI 48723
• Tel: 989-672-3888
• Fax: 989-672-1895
• Email: hwalther@tuscolacounty.org

Tuscola Mental Health Court

The Tuscola Mental Health Court is a treatment program that works with both Mental Health and Judicial aspects. Tuscola Mental Health Court is operational under the 54th Circuit Court and we also accept cases in both the 54th Circuit Court and the 71B District Court. The mission of the Tuscola Mental Health Court (TMHC) is to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism of criminal defendants who suffer from serious mental illness by connecting these defendants with Mental Health treatment services, and to connect them with appropriate community services to get back on track. The TMHC is intensive supervision combined with treatment and will assist offenders in achieving long-term stability, become law-abiding citizens, and become successful in their communities, therefore reducing recidivism and jail expenses to the community.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please consult our manual. If you have further questions, please contact:

Contact Us

Circuit Court

Phone: 989-673-3330
Fax:989-672-2169

Adult Probation

Phone: 989-672-3760
Fax: 989-672-3765

These numbers are for any circuit court matters outside of the family division. For questions regarding circuit court records, please call the County Clerk at 989-672-3775.

Circuit Court Staff

• Hon. Amy Grace Gierhart, Chief Judge/Circuit Court Judge, 989-673-3330
• Sheila Long, Court Administrator, 989-672-3807 or slong@tuscolacounty.org
• Cindy McKinney-Volz, Deputy Court Administrator, 989-672-3772 or volzc@tuscolacounty.org
• Bonnie J. Sobatta, Circuit Court Collections Officer, 989-672-3787 or bsobatta@tuscolacounty.org
• Nicole Friday, Circuit Court Assignment Clerk, 989-673-3330 or nfriday@tuscolacounty.org