Criminal Division

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors are handled by the District Court for offenses which occur within Saginaw County. Misdemeanors are crimes of a less serious nature that carry a maximum jail term of 1 year in jail, including traffic misdemeanors. Some misdemeanors are punishable by more than 1 year in jail but are processed in the same manner as felonies.

Note: If the case involves a juvenile under 17 years of age, the case would be handled as a delinquency case in the Family Division of the Circuit Court, or the Juvenile Division.

Felonies

The District Court handles the preliminary stages of felony cases. Felonies are the most serious category of criminal offenses and are punishable by more than 1 year in prison (up to life). For felonies involving adults, the District Court handles the initial stages of arraignment on the complaint and the preliminary examination. If the District Court Judge finds sufficient evidence has been presented at the preliminary examination to show that the crime was committed and that probable cause exists to charge the defendant with the crime, the matter is bound over or transferred to Circuit Court. The Circuit Court then typically handles the case after bindover including the arraignment on the information, pretrial, trial, plea and sentencing.

Note: If the case involves a juvenile under 17 years of age, the case may be handled as a delinquency case or, in some situations, the charge may be handled the same as an adult charge.

Criminal History

To obtain a local background check from the 70th District Court, you must provide the name of the defendant, DOB and address if available. There is a $10.00 fee for all record checks. A more complete record check may be requested by writing the appropriate state agency. Both the Michigan State Police and Department of State maintain computer information expressly for this purpose.

To obtain a Criminal Record Check or information regarding your Criminal History, contact the following:

Michigan State Police
Criminal Justice Information Center
P.O. Box 30634
Lansing MI 48909
(517) 241-0606

To obtain a Driving (Traffic) Record contact:

Michigan Department of State
Commercial Look-up Unit
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing MI 48918
(517) 322-1624.

Once you receive complete record checks, you will be able to contact the appropriate police agency or Court listed on the records to obtain case specific information. The criminal history record check request form is also available.

Payments

Payments for fines and court costs may be made in cash, money order or credit card (MasterCard, VISA or Discover). Bonds may be posted for a defendant in cash only and must be placed in the name of the defendant. Personal checks are no longer accepted. Learn more about payment information. 

Arraignments

Arraignments occur daily during court hours. Defendants in custody are arraigned by video arraignment at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. . If you come to court to be arraigned on a new charge please go to either the Traffic Division or the Criminal Division, depending on which type of case you are to arraigned on, prior to going to the courtroom.

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