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District courts are courts of limited jurisdiction in the State of Michigan. They were established by the State Legislature in Act 236 of 1961 to consolidate the functions of several courts of limited jurisdiction such as traffic courts and municipal courts.[1] In response, nearly all cities in the state have ceased operating a municipal court, except for the five Grosse Pointes in Wayne County; each has its own municipal court, except for Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores, which operate one jointly.

There are currently 105 district courts in the state. They handle most traffic violations, civil disputes seeking money damages up to $25,000, landlord-tenant disputes and criminal cases in which the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor that is punishable by not more than one-year imprisonment.

District Judges are elected for six-year terms and may appoint magistrates. Magistrates may set bail and accept bonds in criminal matters, accept guilty pleas, impose sentences for dog, game, traffic, motor carrier, snowmobile and boat law violations. They may also issue arrest and search warrants. Attorney magistrates may also hear small claims cases or perform other duties described in the statute, as directed by the Chief Judge.[2]

A person aged 17-years or older who is charged with a crime will begin his or her case with an appearance before a district court judge. In an appearance, the district court will explain the charges to the defendant along with his or her rights, and the possible consequences if convicted of the charge. The court also determines the amount and conditions of bail and collects it if the defendant is able to post a bond.

The district court will conduct a trial for defendants charged with a misdemeanor, that is punishable by not more than one year in jail, and sentence the defendant.

In felony cases (generally, cases that are punishable by more than one year in prison), the district court will set the bail amount and hold a preliminary examination to determine if a crime was committed and if there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime. If so, the case is transferred to the circuit court for trial and is referred to as having been "bound over."

District courts also contain a small claims division which handles civil cases up to $7,000. For these cases, the parties must agree to waive their right to a jury, representation by a lawyer, rules of evidence and to appeal the decision of the district judge. If the parties do not agree to these terms, the case is heard in the district court’s general civil division.[3]

List of District Courts

Court County Number of Judges Courthouse location(s) Image Source
1st District Court Monroe 3
Monroe County Courthouse
Monroe County Courthouse
2A District Court Lenawee 2
2B District Court Hillsdale 2
3A District Court Branch 2
3B District Court St. Joseph 3
4th District Court Cass 1
5th District Court Berrien
7th District Court Van Buren 3
8th District Court Kalamazoo 7
10th District Court Calhoun 4
12th District Court Jackson 4
14A District Court Washtenaw (except the City of Ann Arbor and the Township of Ypsilanti) 4
14B District Court Washtenaw (Ypsilanti Township) 1
15th District Court Washtenaw (City of Ann Arbor) 3
16th District Court Wayne (City of Livonia) 2
17th District Court Wayne (Redford Township) 2
18th District Court Wayne (City of Westland) 2
19th District Court Wayne (City of Dearborn) 3
20th District Court Wayne (City of Dearborn Heights) 2
21st District Court Wayne (Garden City) 1
22nd District Court Wayne (City of Inkster) 22
23rd District Court Wayne (City of Taylor) 2
24th District Court Wayne (Cities of Allen Park and Melvindale) 2
25th District Court Wayne (Cities of Ecorse and Lincoln Park) 2
27th District Court Wayne (City of Wyandotte) 1
28th District Court Wayne (City of Southgate) 1
29th District Court Wayne (Wayne City) 1
30th District Court Wayne (City of Highland Park) 1
31st District Court Wayne (City of Hamtramck) 1
32A District Court Wayne (City of Harper Woods) 1
33rd District Court Wayne (City of Woodhaven) 3
34th District Court Wayne (City of Romulus) 3
35th District Court Wayne (City of Plymouth) 3
36th District Court Wayne, (City of Detroit) 31
37th District Court Macomb (Cities of Warren and Centerline) 4
38th District Court Macomb (City of Eastpointe) 1
39th District Court Macomb (Cities of Roseville and Fraser) 3
40th District Court Macomb (City of St. Clair Shores) 2
41 A District Court Macomb (City of Sterling Heights and Town of Shelby) 4
41 B District Court Macomb (Town of Clinton) 3
42nd District Court Macomb (Cities of Romeo and New Baltimore) 2
43rd District Court Oakland (Cities of Ferndale, Hazel Park, and Madison Heights) 3
44th District Court Oakland (City of Royal Oak) 2
45A District Court Oakland (City of Berkley) 2
45B District Court Oakland (City of Oak Park) 2
46th District Court Oakland (City of Southfield) 3
47th District Court Oakland (Cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills) 2
48th District Court Oakland (City of Bloomfield Hills) 3
50th District Court Oakland (City of Pontiac) 4
51st District Court Oakland (Waterford Township) 2
52nd District Court Oakland (Cities of Novi (52-1), Rochester Hills(52-3) and Troy(52-4) and the Village of Clarkston(52-2)) 11
53rd District Court Livingston (Cities of Howell and Brighton) 4
54A District Court Ingham (City of Lansing) 5
54B District Court Ingham (City of East Lansing) 2
55th District Court Ingham (City of Mason) 2
56A District Court Eaton 2
56B District Court Barry 2
57th District Court Allegan 2
58th District Court Ottawa 4
59th District Court Kent (Cities of Grandville and Walker) 1
60th District Court Muskegon 4
61st District Court Kent {City of Grand Rapids} 6
62A District Court Kent (City of Wyoming) 2
62B District Court Kent (City of Kentwood) 1
63rd District Court Kent (Cities of Rockford and Grand Rapids) 2
64A District Court Ionia 1
64B District Court Montcalm 1
65A District Court Clinton 1
65B District Court Gratiot 1
66th District Court Shiawassee 2
67th District Court Genesee 7
68th District Court Genesee (City of Flint) 6
70th District Court Saginaw 6
71A District Court Lapeer 3
71B District Court Tuscola 1
72nd District Court St. Clair 4
73A District Court Sanilac 2
73B District Court Huron 2
74th District Court Bay 3
75th District Court Midland 3
76th District Court Isabella 2
77th District Court Osceola and Mecosta 2
78th District Court Oceana and Newaygo 1
79th District Court Lake and Mason 2
80th District Court Gladwin and Clare 1
81st District Court Alcona, Arenac, Iosco, Oscoda 2
82nd District Court Ogemaw, Roscommon 2
84th District Court Missaukee and Wexford 2
85th District Court Benzie and Manistee 3
86th District Court Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau 3
87A District Court Otsego 1
87B District Court Kalkaska 1
87C District Court Crawford 1
88th District Court Alpena and Montmorency 2
89th District Court Cheboygan and Presque Isle 3
90th District Court Emmet and Charlevoix 1
91st District Court Chippewa 1
92nd District Court Luce and Mackinac 1
93rd District Court Alger and Schoolcraft 1
94th District Court Delta 2
95A District Court Menominee 1
95B District Court Iron and Dickinson 2
96th District Court Marquette 2
97th District Court Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw 3
98th District Court Ontonagon and Gogebic 2

References

  1. ↑ "MCL 600.8101–600.9928". REVISED JUDICATURE ACT OF 1961 (EXCERPT) Act 236 of 1961. Lansing, MI: Michigan Legislature. Retrieved November 3, 2010. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ "Welcome to Macomb County District Court". Macomb County, Michigan. Archived from the original on September 28, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Access to Courts". Michigan Courts. October 6, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
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