An Overview of Michigan's District Courts
In 1969 Michigan Law consolidated almost all of the state's Municipal
Courts into a coordinated system of Districts where full-time judges,
elected by the citizens, could serve the local legal needs of their
communities as "courts-of- record." There are l00 District Courts in
Michigan and 265 District Judges who handle hundreds of thousands of
traffic, criminal, and civil cases annually.
Jurisdiction
The District Court has jurisdiction for :
(1) Jury and non-jury adjudication of all civil litigation, where one
party is suing the other party, up to $25,000.00. Civil cases are
non-criminal disputes. District Courts also may handle cases over $25,000
where a Circuit Judge has decided that the "probable value" is under that
amount, but the judge or jury has no limitation in those cases as to what
the final judgment amount may be.
(2) Jury and non-jury trials of all criminal misdemeanors under State
law or local ordinances. Misdemeanors are charges where the punishment may
not exceed one year in jail.
(3) The arraignment, setting and acceptance of bail and conducting of
"preliminary examinations" in felony cases. Felonies are cases where the
punishment exceeds one year of imprisonment. At Preliminary Examination,
the judge hears testimony from witnesses and determines if the charge is
correct and "probable cause" exists to believe that the defendant
committed that offense. If probable cause is found, the matter is sent to
Circuit Court, called a bindover, for a jury or non-jury trial.
(4) All traffic and parking violations
(5) Small Claims disputes (up to $3,000.00)
(6) Landlord-tenant disputes and land contracts forfeitures
(7) Performing marriages
Judicial Staff
The Court is served by elected judges who may appoint a magistrate to
assist them. Judges are State Officials and are paid (almost entirely) by
the State, but the Courts and their other employees are provided by local
communities or counties. District Judges are attorneys who are elected on
non-partisan ballots for terms of six years. The Governor may appoint
replacement to fill vacancies. The judge appointed must stand for election
at the next regularly scheduled General election.
A Magistrate's duties are limited by statute and by the Order of the
District Court Chief Judge. They can include conducting arraignments,
setting bail, conducting small claims trials, traffic informal hearings
and performing marriages. Any litigant who does not like the decision of a
Magistrate is entitled to a completely new hearing or trial before a
judge.
Administration & Organization
The 70th District Court is divided into 5 divisions:
Court Administration: Responsible for personnel and fiscal
management, juror co-ordination, maintenance of caseflow and court
calendaring.
Criminal Division: Maintains criminal record keeping systems and
the processing and scheduling of all criminal and ordinance violations.
Traffic Division: Responsible for maintaining court records
on all traffic and parking ticket violations and the processing and
scheduling of these cases.
Civil Division: Maintains records on general civil,
landlord-tenant and small claims cases and the scheduling and processing
of these cases.
Probation Department: Responsible for the supervision, counseling
and referral of defendants placed on probation. The Probation Department
also performs alcohol assessments and pre-sentence investigation. Those
who cannot afford to pay fines and costs are supervised in community
service placements with non-profit agencies where they can contribute
volunteer hours in lieu of payment, at the judge's discretion.
Educational
Group Visits & Tours
The 70th District Court encourages the community to learn more about
its operation and jurisdiction through special educational tours and
visits offered by the Saginaw County Bar Association. Visiting groups may
receive an orientation on local court operations, take a tour of the
facility, discuss the Court with the Judges if time allows, and observe
courtroom proceedings.
Visits to Schools and Community Groups
District Judges regularly visit the schools in their local areas and
speak to church and civic groups.
Court
Hours
Michigan District Courts are open 365 days a year to provide for the
Constitutional guarantee to a speedy arraignment so the Court can inform
anyone arrested as the criminal charge against them and the appropriate
bail.
The public is always welcome weekdays during normal court hours to
visit our courts and see them in action. There are no guarantees as to
what's going to be on the docket---some days are more interesting than
others, but as long as you do so quietly, you are free to enter and leave
the proceedings as you wish. The 70th District Court is open Monday
through Friday (except holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..
YOUR DISTRICT JUDGES CARE. THEY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ALL BETTER SERVED
WHEN OUR CITIZENS KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE LAW !
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70th
District Court