Courts to Close

NEWAYGO COUNTY – In light of the current state of emergency, and in accordance with the State Court Order, the Newaygo County Trial Courts have an approved LAO (Local Administrative Order) for closure to the public beginning March 18, 2020 and going through April 3, 2020. It has been determined that there is no less restrictive means reasonably available to protect the interests of the public and staff if the courthouse remains open. Newaygo’s judges are closely monitoring the COVID 19 information and will make any adjustments needed as this matter evolves. 

The Newaygo County Trial Courts are committed to providing essential and emergency services to the public during this emergency. Please see the information below on what services are being offered and how you may contact the court for assistance. 

The public may visit countyofnewaygo.com in the Circuit Court menu for access to forms for certain essential services. The public may submit any filings by going to countyofnewaygo.com under the Contact Us tab and select Email Us. The public may select Circuit Court and send an email. The Court will then respond with how filings may be uploaded. The public will be encouraged to mail in new filings as mail will be reviewed and processed daily. Motions seeking ex parte relief, and any other motions, can be filed via fax or email to the appropriate court for handling. The public may also utilize the appropriate court’s contact numbers below. 

The following essential and/or emergency services will be dealt with by the appropriate court and staff members will be available in each court to assist the public with questions as staffing levels permit. Only essential clerking and staff operations will be processed during this time. 

• Incarcerated defendants will be reviewed on a daily basis and arraigned for both 27th Circuit and 78th District Courts. Arraignment attorneys will be contacted as needed. Proceedings related to such arraignments such as bench warrants and violations of probation will also be considered an essential function for both Circuit and District court. 

• The 27th Circuit Court and 78th District Court shall provide trials and sentencings for incarcerated defendants only due to the increased risk for jurors in large numbers being summoned for duty. Due to the reduced ability to safely have counsel and court staff present in the courtrooms the postponements required by this LAO will be excluded from speedy trial requirements as the Newaygo Courts have determined that the benefits of such postponements outweigh the defendant’s/respondent’s right to speedy trial pursuant to MCR(C)(6) and MCR 3.942 (A). 

• The 27th Circuit Court shall provide civil services as essential functions: emergency show cause and injunctive orders, infectious disease cases, personal protection orders (initiating cases, hearings for denied personal protection orders, motions to terminate personal protection orders and arraignments on alleged personal protection orders), hearings for respondents unable to bail out after arraignment, parental consent waivers and the signing/preparing of any emergency orders necessary for the safety and/or well-being of a litigant or child. 

• The 27th Circuit Court – Family Division will continue to provide the following essential services to the public including emergency proceedings for abuse/neglect cases including, but not limited to, permanency planning hearings, preliminary hearings, scheduled trials and dispositional hearings for detained youth. 

• The 27th Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations Division shall facilitate the submission of motions seeking ex parte relief, and will present the motion and prepared order to the court for review as necessary for the safety and well-being of a litigant and or child/ren. 

• The 78th District Court shall uphold its normal probable cause conferences and preliminary exams for all lodged defendants and a 21-Day waiver shall be requested from all defendants who are represented by counsel. Pursuant to MCR 6.110(B) the court may adjourn a preliminary hearing examination for good cause. 

• The Newaygo County Probate Court shall continue to provide the following essential services to the public such as emergency proceedings for decedent estates, trusts, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, mental illness and judicial admission proceedings. 

Please see the complete Local Administrative Order for more complete details or contact the appropriate court using the information below: 
Circuit Court Email: wjarvis@co.newaygo.mi.us Phone: (231) 689-7251 Main Phone: (231) 689-7252 Fax: (231) 689-7015 
District Court Email: dmr@co.newaygo.mi.us Phone: (231) 689-7228 Main Phone: (231) 689-7257 Fax (231) 689-7258 
Probate Court Email: c2762nmp@co.newaygo.mi.us Phone: (231) 689-7274 Main: (231) 689-7270 Fax: (231) 689-7276 

From Hon. Robert D. Springstead Chief Judge Circuit Court Judge Newaygo County Trial Courts:
​The Newaygo County Trial Courts will continue to keep the public aware of any changes to the essential and emergency services we offer during this challenging time. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

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