Eaton County is a county in the US state of Michigan. As of 2000, the population was 103,655. The county seat is Charlotte. Eaton County was named for John Eaton, who was Secretary of War under US President Andrew Jackson, making it one of the Michigan's Cabinet counties. It was organized in 1837.

Eaton County Legal Profile

The attorneys at Nacht Law are dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of individuals and businesses in Eaton County and across the state of Michigan. Nacht Law is a team of experienced litigators, providing advice and representation in all matters employment, civil rights, and business litigation. In employment matters: our lawyers regularly stand up for the rights of Eaton county whistleblowers, victims of retaliation, discrimination, harassment, or those seeking to manage accommodation and medical leave issues, or unemployment compensation. Nacht Law lawyers counsel Eaton County businesses and non-profits seeking sound legal advice on personnel policies, human resources, non-compete issues, and business litigation. Our lawyers serve Eaton County doctors and medical groups seeking to retain new people, set policies, third-party Medicare audits, and compliance programs. And we provide skilled criminal defense for Eaton County professionals and others fighting for their civil right to be presumed innocent.

Eaton County Courts

The State of Michigan is divided into 57 judicial circuits along county lines. Each circuit is a unified court system in which all trial courts are consolidated under a chief judge. Circuit judges are elected for six - year terms on non-partisan ballots.

The Circuit Court of Eaton County (Circuit Judge: Hon. Thomas S. Eveland, and Calvin E. Osterhaven) is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Eaton Michigan. It has jurisdiction over all actions except those given by state law to another court. The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more than $25,000, in all criminal cases where the offense is a felony or a serious misdemeanor, all domestic relations cases, and all child abuse, neglect, and delinquency cases. It rule on all civil cases including employment discrimination, sex harassment cases, business ownership disputes, disability discrimination, unpaid wage claims, enforcement of non-competition agreements, wrongful discharge claims, zoning disputes, and criminal matters, from drug crimes like possession and manufacturing to bank robbery, armed robbery, murder, arson, criminal sexual conduct, third offence drunk driving.

Eaton County District Courts

District Courts: A district court has exclusive jurisdiction of all civil litigation up to $25,000; and handles garnishments, eviction proceedings, land contract and mortgage foreclosures, and other proceedings. In the criminal field, district court handles all misdemeanors where punishments do not exceed one year, including arraignment, setting and acceptance of bail, trial and sentencing; and conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases. Also, a small claims division for civil cases up to $3,000 is provided in district court. In these cases, litigants agree to waive their right to a jury, rules of evidence, representation by a lawyer, and the right to appeal from the district judge's decision. If either party objects, the case will be heard by the general civil division of the district court.

The 56A District Court of Eaton County is a court of limited jurisdiction. As such, it has the authority to rule on cases involving traffic and criminal matter such as: Criminal Misdemeanors, Municipal Civil Infractions, Parking Violations, Traffic Civil Infractions, and Traffic Misdemeanors. The court holds Preliminary Exams on felony cases to determine if there is sufficient evidence to move the case to the Circuit Court, which is ultimately the court having jurisdiction over such matters. Misdemeanors are cases that do not carry a penalty of more than $1,000.00 in fines or one year in jail. Cases that exceed those limits are called Felonies. District Courts also handle civil matters that include: General Civil Cases up to $25,000.00, Landlord/Tenant Cases, and Small Claims up to $3,000.00.

Eaton County Law Enforcement

The Prosecuting Attorney of Eaton County is Jeffrey L. Sauter. The Prosecuting Attorney appears for the State or County in all criminal prosecutions in Circuit Court and District Court, as well as appearances in delinquency, neglect, mental incompetency, and adult guardianship proceedings in both Probate Court and the Family Division of the Circuit Court. The Prosecuting Attorney shares jurisdiction with the Michigan Attorney General for any crime that is committed in Eaton County, but is independent of that State office.

Eaton County Sheriff

Charlotte Police Department

Eaton Rapids Police Department

Grand Ledge Police Department