Hon. Margaret M. Van Houten - Contributor Biography

Margaret M. Van Houten has experience as a solo practicioner.

Margaret is currently a circuit court judge for Judicial Circuit 3.

2026 Michigan General Election

Nonpartisan

3.1 Judicial Candidate Resource Guide

As a state circuit court judge, she oversees civil cases involving disputes with alleged damages over $5,000, the prosecution of criminal offenses and felonies, the administration of divorce, adoption, and domestic abuse proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- As a state circuit court judge, she oversees civil cases involving disputes with alleged damages over $5,000, the prosecution of criminal offenses and felonies, the administration of divorce, adoption, and domestic abuse proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Legal Experience

As of September 16, 2026, Margaret M. Van Houten did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Margaret M. Van Houten

As a circuit court judge, gave a jury until Thursday to reach a unanimous decision and said she would declare a mistrial otherwise.

As of September 16, 2026, Margaret M. Van Houten’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

The CBS Detroit article reports a case-management decision during the Samantha Woll murder trial: “On Tuesday, Judge Margaret Van Houten gave the jury until the end of Thursday to reach a unanimous decision. If a decision is not reached, she will declare a mistrial.”

If a mistrial is declared in Samantha Woll murder trial, what is next?

Bradley L. Cobb

Carla G. Testani

Chandra W. Baker-Robinson

Charlene M. Elder

Chris Dingell

Christopher M. Blount

Cylenthia LaToye Miller

David J. Allen

Don Knapp

Edward J. Joseph

Helal A. Farhat

Mary Beth Kelly

Nicole L. Castka

Nicole N. Goodson

Shannon Nicol Walker

- A circuit court judge is an elected judicial official who serves in Michigan’s circuit court system, the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction.
- Circuit courts handle major legal matters, including felony criminal cases, large civil lawsuits, family law matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts and some administrative agencies.
- Michigan circuit court judges are elected in nonpartisan elections and may also be appointed to fill vacancies.
- Judges serve six-year terms and may run for reelection.
- Candidates must be licensed attorneys authorized to practice law in Michigan, admitted to practice for at least five years, qualified electors within the judicial circuit, and under 70 years old at the time of election or appointment.
- The salary of a Michigan circuit court judge is approximately $183,000 per year.

A judge who handles major criminal, civil, and family court cases.