- Departments
- Trial Court
Trial Court - Hon. Mabel Johnson Mayfield, Chief Judge
Our Most Recent UpdateNOVEMBER 17th, 2020Due to the continued increase in COVID-19 positive cases within Berrien County, the Berrien County Trial Court is making two announcements regarding operational changes. Effective November 18, 2020, the Trial Court will be returning to Phase One of the Michigan Supreme Court’s Return to Full Capacity Guide. The court will be conducting hearings remotely via Zoom in as many instances as possible. Notices will be provided to those with pending court cases which include Zoom contact information to utilize to engage in their court hearings. A very limited amount of hearings will be allowed to occur in-person, and those individuals will be notified of their ability to attend in-person. Attorneys will also be encouraged to participate in court proceedings remotely. If you have a question regarding the status of your case or hearing, please use the Department Contact Information listing at the Trial Court website to call or e-mail the court for a status update. No walk-in foot traffic will be allowed at this time and all individuals must file new paperwork with the court either by mail, drop box, or e-mail. Any in-person contact with departments at the courthouse facilities will be by appointment only. Additionally, in order to maintain the health and safety of the public and staff, the Trial Court will be suspending jury trials through January of 2021. Jurors who have been summoned to report for jury service in January are excused and will not be required to call in for duty. The ability of the court to safely resume jury trials in February will be re-evaluated in January of 2021. |
Location | Accessibility | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal - St. Joseph | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8682 |
| Civil - St. Joseph | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8385 |
| County Clerk - Family File Room | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8410 |
| County Clerk - Civil File Room | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8382 |
| County Clerk - Felony File Room | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8227 |
| County Clerk - PPOs File Room | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8227 |
| Family Division - Intake | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8316 |
| Friend of the Court | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8575 |
| Juvenile Center | *Essential Employees Only | (269) 471-2831 |
| Juvenile Probation | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 982-8613 |
| Misdemeanor Probation - St. Joseph | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8606 |
| Niles Branch | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 6260 |
| Probate | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8365 |
| Self Help Legal Resource Center | *Assistance by Phone or Email Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8742 |
| Traffic - St. Joseph | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8680 |
| Trial Court Finance Office | *Open by Appointment Only | (269) 983-7111 ext. 8820 |
*Only parties to the case are permitted to enter the courthouse to attend hearings.
*Please contact the number attached for further details.
