What is the Court of Appeals?
The Court of Appeals is an “intermediate” appellate court between the Supreme Court and the Michigan trial courts. Final decisions resulting from a circuit or probate court hearing may be appealed to the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals judges are elected for 6-year terms. Court of Appeals hearings are held in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Marquette. Hearings are held before a panel of three Court of Appeals judges and at least two of the three judges must agree on the ruling. The panels are frequently rotated so that a variety of judicial opinions are considered. The decision of the panel is final except for those cases which the Supreme Court reviews. [See MCR 7.201.