29th Circuit Court

The 29th Judicial Circuit consists of both Clinton and Gratiot Counties. Honorable Shannon L.W. Schlegel is on the bench in Gratiot County the first and third weeks of the month while Honorable Cori E. Barkman is in Clinton County. The second and fourth weeks of each month, Judge Schlegel is in Clinton County while Judge Barkman takes the bench in Gratiot County.

Motion Days

In Gratiot County, motion days are held on Mondays, Judge Schlegel’s motion days on the first and third Monday of each month and Judge Barkman’s motion days on the second and fourth Monday of each month. There may be exceptions due to holidays and vacation schedules.

To schedule motions, call the Assignment Clerk for a date and time and mail your motion and Notice of Hearing to the Gratiot County Clerk’s Office. Judge Barkman and Judge Schlegel do require judge’s copies. Praecipes are not required.

Scheduling Hearings

To schedule a hearing before the Court, contact the appropriate Assignment Clerk, based on the Judge assigned to the case as follows.

JudgePhone Number
Honorable Shannon L.W. Schlegel, Judge of the Circuit Court989-449-4225
Honorable Cori E. Barkman, Judge of the Circuit Court989-875-5353
Honorable Kristin Bakker, Judge of Probate Court/Assigned to the Family Division of the Circuit Court989-875-5231

For information Clinton County cases, or to schedule a hearing on a Clinton County case, please contact the Clinton County Circuit Court Clerk.

Civil Division

The Civil Division of Circuit Court handles civil cases over $25,000, appeals, and injunctions. They also handle license restorations, condemnations, and cases for divorce without minor children. Judge Barkman and Judge Schlegel are assigned to this division.

Criminal Division

The Criminal Division of Circuit Court handles felony cases, criminal appeals from District Court, extraditions and writs. Judge Barkman and Judge Schlegel are assigned to this division.

Family Division

The Family Division of Circuit Court has been implemented to establish the one family, one judge concept. The Family Division handles name changes, paternity, family support, Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) parental waivers, emancipation, adoptions, juvenile, abuse and neglect, personal protection orders, and divorce with minor children. Judge Barkman, Judge Schlegel and Judge Bakker preside as the Family Court Judges. 

Circuit Court Filings

All Civil, Criminal and Family Division Circuit Court cases are filed in the County Clerk’s Office.