Below is a list of press releases, newsletters and announcements from the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan. Bookmark this page and visit for future updates.
To request film and electronic media coverage of Court Proceedings click here.
For questions or to get in touch with our communications department, contact:
Public Information Officer
313-967-3683
media@3rdcc.org
History of Third Judicial Circuit
The history of the court includes Detroit Recorder’s Court, one of the oldest courts of record in the U.S. Detroit Recorder’s Court traces its origins to Detroit’s Mayor’s Court established in 1824 and was formally created as a separate court in 1857. It functioned as a court of limited jurisdiction for decades with exclusive authority over felony criminal cases arising within the City of Detroit, as well as traffic and ordinance violations, but it did not hear civil matters.
Pursuant to state law, Detroit Recorder’s Court was abolished and merged into the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan effective October 1, 1997, with its judges becoming circuit court judges. Its final Chief before consolidation was the Hon. Vera Massey Jones. This merger integrated its criminal jurisdiction into Third Circuit Court, marking the end of a distinct institution that had handled many of Detroit’s most significant criminal cases for over a century.
27 Jul, 11:35 AM
Penobscot Building Closed for In-Person Services on July 27, 2026
16 Jul, 12:16 PM
Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan Closes In-Person Court Operations July 16-17 Due to Hazardous Air Quality; Remote Proceedings will Continue as Scheduled
11 Jun, 08:30 AM
Mia Grillier named Third Circuit Court of Michigan CFO
14 May, 09:11 AM
Third Circuit Court of Michigan to Dedicate Jury Assembly Room in Honor of Judge Mary Beth Kelly
5 May, 10:52 AM
Third Circuit Court of Michigan Warns Public of Text Messaging Ticket Scam
29 Apr, 11:01 AM
Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan announces remote operations on May 29 for the Detroit Grand Prix
9 Apr, 10:38 AM
Third Circuit Court to Mark America 250 Through Community Outreach and Civic Education
9 Mar, 08:39 AM
Cass Tech High School Students Visit Third Circuit Court
2 Oct, 01:01 PM
Sharonda Simmons Hired as Chief Strategy Officer