Key points
- All criminal cases prosecuted in Muskegon County are filed at the 60th District Court, 990 Terrace Street, STE 100, Muskegon.[1]
- The 14th Circuit Court, the county's trial court of general jurisdiction, is in the same building at 990 Terrace Street.[2]
- PPOs are filed in Circuit Court Records, 990 Terrace, 6th Floor, Suite 600, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.[3]
- Every Woman's Place answers a 24-hour crisis line at (231) 722-3333, and its Legal Advocate helps complete PPO paperwork where there is or was a domestic relationship.[4][3]
Nearly everything connected with a Muskegon County domestic violence case happens in one building. The 60th District Court, where all criminal cases prosecuted in the county are filed, is at 990 Terrace Street in Muskegon.[1] The 14th Circuit Court is at the same address, and personal protection order (PPO) petitions are filed on the 6th floor.[2][3]
If you are in danger, call 911. Every Woman's Place answers a 24-hour crisis line at (231) 722-3333.[4] The state's VOICES4 hotline can be reached by phone or text at 855-864-2374, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.[5][6]
Office hours in this building differ from one office to the next and can change. Confirm with the clerk before you make the trip.
Where a misdemeanor domestic assault case is heard
The 60th District consists of the county of Muskegon.[7] The court handles misdemeanors from arraignment through sentencing and felonies through the preliminary exam, and it lists "Domestic violence" among its example criminal cases.[1]
| Office | Location | Phone and hours |
|---|---|---|
| 60th District Court | 990 Terrace Street, STE 100, Muskegon, MI 49442 | 231-724-6294; Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.[1] |
| 14th Circuit Court | 990 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49442 | See the court's page for department numbers[2] |
| Circuit Court Records (PPO filing) | 990 Terrace, 6th Floor, Suite 600, Muskegon, MI 49442 | (231) 724-6251; Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm[3] |
Where felony cases go
The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Muskegon County.[2] A felony domestic violence charge starts in the district court and moves to the circuit court once the defendant is bound over.[8]
Filing a PPO in Muskegon County
PPOs are filed in Circuit Court Records on the 6th floor, where paper form packets are also available.[3] The county describes the timing this way:
- Processing generally takes 24 to 48 hours, excluding weekends, holidays and unexpected closures.[3]
- In most cases the petitioner may expect to return the next business day to pick up the order if it is signed.[3]
- If the PPO is denied without a hearing, the petitioner can request a hearing on the denial within 21 days.[3]
To change, lengthen or end an existing order, the county directs people to file a Motion to Modify, Extend, or Terminate a PPO, either through an online interview or on paper at Circuit Court Records.[3] A respondent who wants to challenge an ex parte order has 14 days after service or actual notice to file that motion and ask for a hearing.[9] See How to fight or terminate a PPO and Ex parte PPOs.
Free help with the paperwork
The Legal Advocate at Every Woman's Place helps complete PPO paperwork when there is, or has been, a domestic relationship between the parties. Walk-in services run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at 1221 W. Laketon Ave, Muskegon, MI 49441.[3] State law allows a domestic violence victim advocate to help a person obtain a PPO, but the advocate may not represent that person in court.[10] General steps are in How to get a PPO in Michigan.
Local help in Muskegon County
Every Woman's Place provides shelter, counseling and advocacy for people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and sex trafficking.[4] Its text line and online chat operate only from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays.[4] Around the clock, the statewide VOICES4 hotline offers free and confidential support.[11] Other agencies appear in Where to get help in West Michigan.
On the civil side, Legal Aid of Western Michigan's Muskegon County intake line is 231-726-4887.[12] It does not take criminal cases other than record expungements.[13] A defendant who faces possible jail and cannot afford a lawyer is entitled to an appointed one.[14]
Muskegon County domestic violence numbers
The Michigan State Police recorded 894 domestic violence victims in Muskegon County in 2025 and 871 in 2024, after 1,407 in 2023, 1,352 in 2022 and 1,430 in 2021.[15] In 2025, 677 were recorded as non-aggravated assault victims and 136 as aggravated or felonious assault victims.[15] The lower recorded counts for 2024 and 2025 should not be read as a measured fall in domestic violence: the numbers depend on officers marking incidents as domestic violence, and the State Police have revised earlier published figures.[16][17]
Muskegon County's problem-solving courts page lists a Sobriety Court and a Veterans Treatment Court, and the Sobriety Court's criteria are limited to non-violent offenders.[18]
The first hearing in the 60th District Court
An arrested person who has not been released has to be brought before a court for arraignment without unnecessary delay, in person or by two-way interactive video.[19] At the arraignment the court either holds the defendant, releases the defendant on personal recognizance, or releases the defendant with conditions.[20] What to expect is covered in The arraignment and Bond conditions, and the later stages in the misdemeanor case timeline.
Common questions
Where is a domestic violence arraignment held in Muskegon County?
At the 60th District Court, 990 Terrace Street, STE 100, Muskegon, MI 49442, phone 231-724-6294. All criminal cases prosecuted within the county are filed there.[1] The district is the whole county by statute, so there is no separate court for individual cities.[7]
Where do I file a PPO in Muskegon County?
In Circuit Court Records at 990 Terrace, 6th Floor, Suite 600, Muskegon, MI 49442, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. For questions the county gives (231) 724-6251.[3] That window closes earlier than the district court's published 4:30 p.m. closing time.[1]
Can someone help me fill out a PPO petition in Muskegon?
The county says the Legal Advocate, a service of Every Woman's Place, is available to help complete PPO paperwork when there is or has been a domestic relationship between the parties. Walk-in services run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at 1221 W. Laketon Ave, Muskegon, and the crisis line is (231) 722-3333.[3]
What if my Muskegon PPO request is denied?
The county says that if a PPO is denied without a hearing, the petitioner can request a hearing on the denial within 21 days so more information can be provided.[3] That matches the court rule: without a hearing request within 21 days of the order, the denial becomes final.[21]
Sources
- Muskegon County, 60th District Court; "Criminal Division" — co.muskegon.mi.us
- Muskegon County, "14th Circuit Court" — co.muskegon.mi.us
- Muskegon County, "Personal Protection Orders" — co.muskegon.mi.us
- Every Woman's Place, everywomansplace.org — everywomansplace.org
- State of Michigan, VOICES4 Hotline — Domestic Violence page — State of Michigan
- National Domestic Violence Hotline, thehotline.org (home page) — National Domestic Violence Hotline
- MCL 600.8129 — Michigan Legislature
- MCR 6.008(A)–(B) — Michigan Courts
- MCR 3.707(A)(1)(b); MCL 600.2950(13); MCL 600.2950a(13) — Michigan Courts
- MCL 600.2950c(1)–(3) — Michigan Legislature
- MCEDSV, Hotline page — mcedsv.org
- Legal Aid of Western Michigan, I Need Help (Apply by Phone) — lawestmi.org
- Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Services — lawestmi.org
- Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, FAQ — michiganidc.gov
- Michigan State Police, Crime in Michigan dashboard, Domestic Violence tab (County = Muskegon) — Michigan State Police
- Michigan State Police, Crime in Michigan dashboard, Domestic Violence tab (2021–2025 frozen data) — Michigan State Police
- Michigan State Police, 2022 Crime in Michigan Annual Report, p 61 ("2022 – Domestic Violence") — Michigan State Police
- Muskegon County, "Problem Solving Courts" — co.muskegon.mi.us
- MCR 6.104(A) — Michigan Courts
- MCR 6.106(A) — Michigan Courts
- MCR 3.705(A)(5) — Michigan Courts
This page is general legal information about Michigan law, published by the office of Attorney Shawn Haff. It is not legal advice and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts — check the sources linked above and talk to a licensed Michigan attorney about your situation. If you are in danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.