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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 103 district courts in the state (four district courts - 42nd (Macomb County), 52nd (Oakland County), 67th (Genesee County) and 70th (Saginaw County) - are single court districts with judges from multiple "election divisions" based at separate locations within the respective districts). 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 18-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

[edit]

As of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session[4]

(*) indicates a District Court presided over by the Probate Judge

Court County Number of Judges Courthouse location(s) Image Notes
1st District Court Monroe[5] 3 Monroe
Monroe County Courthouse
Monroe County Courthouse
2A District Court Lenawee[6] 2 Adrian
Originally established as the 2-1 District Court (2nd District Court, 1st Division).

The 2nd District Court was separated into two separate courts (2A and 2B) on January 1, 1999.[7]

2B District Court Hillsdale[8] 1 Hillsdale
Originally established as the 2-2 District Court (2nd District Court, 2nd Division).

The 2nd District Court was separated into two separate courts (2A and 2B) on January 1, 1999.[9]

3A District Court Branch[10] 1 Coldwater Originally established as the 3-1 District Court (3rd District Court, 1st Division).

The 3rd District Court was separated into two separate courts (3A and 3B) in 1991.

3B District Court St. Joseph[11] 2 Centreville
Originally established as the 3-2 District Court (3rd District Court, 2nd Division).

The 3rd District Court was separated into two separate courts (3A and 3B) in 1991.

4th District Court Cass[12] 1 Cassopolis
5th District Court Berrien 5 St. Joseph and Niles The Michigan Supreme Court has designated the Berrien County Courts as a consolidation site for the merger of the District Court, Probate Court and Circuit Court into a single Trial Court.[13]

The 6th District Court, which consisted of the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph was merged into the 5th District Court in the 1970s to form a county-wide district court.

7th District Court Van Buren[14] 2 Paw Paw
8th District Court Kalamazoo[15] 6 Kalamazoo
The 9th District Court, which served the cities of Kalamazoo (9-1) and Portage (9-2), were merged into the 8th District Court in 1999 to become a county-wide district court.[16]
10th District Court Calhoun[17] 4 Battle Creek The 11th District Court, which served the city of Battle Creek, merged into the 10th District Court in 1975 to become a county-wide district court.
12th District Court Jackson[18] 4 Jackson The 13th District Court, which served the City of Jackson, merged into the 12th District Court in 1985 to become a county-wide district court.[19]
14A District Court Washtenaw (except the City of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Township) 3 Pittsfield Township, Ypsilanti, Chelsea and Saline
14B District Court Washtenaw (Ypsilanti Township) 1 Ypsilanti Township Began operations on January 1, 1985 after Ypsilanti Township approved establishing a municipal-funded court separate from then-14th District Court.[20]
15th District Court Washtenaw (City of Ann Arbor) 3 Ann Arbor
16th District Court Wayne (City of Livonia) 2 Livonia
17th District Court Wayne (Redford Township) 2 Redford Township
18th District Court Wayne (City of Westland) 2 Westland
19th District Court Wayne (City of Dearborn) 3 Dearborn
20th District Court Wayne (City of Dearborn Heights) 2 Dearborn Heights
21st District Court Wayne (Garden City) 1 Garden City
22nd District Court Wayne (City of Inkster) 1 Inkster
23rd District Court Wayne (City of Taylor) 2 Taylor The 23rd District Court was established on December 1, 1980, replacing the Taylor Municipal Court.[21]
24th District Court Wayne (Cities of Allen Park and Melvindale) 2 Allen Park The 24th District Court was established with the merger of the Allen Park and Melvindale Municipal Courts on December 1, 1977.[22]
25th District Court Wayne (Cities of Ecorse, Lincoln Park and River Rouge ) 2 Lincoln Park The 25th District Court was established on December 1, 1977, replacing the Lincoln Park Municipal Court.[23]

The 26th District Court commenced operations on December 1, 1979, with the consolidation of the Ecorse and River Rouge Municipal Courts[24] and merged with the 25th District Court effective April 1, 2012[25]

27th District Court Wayne (Cities of Wyandotte and Riverview ) 1 Wyandotte The 27th District Court was established with the merger of the Riverview and Wyandotte Municipal Courts on December 1, 1977.[26]
28th District Court Wayne (City of Southgate) 1 Southgate The 28th District Court was established on January 1, 1979, replacing the Southgate Municipal Court.[27]
29th District Court Wayne (City of Wayne) 1 Wayne City
30th District Court Wayne (City of Highland Park) 1 Highland Park The 30th District Court was established on January 1, 1979, replacing the Highland Park Municipal Court.[28]
31st District Court Wayne (City of Hamtramck) 1 Hamtramck The 31st District Court was established on January 1, 1979, replacing the Hamtramck Municipal Court.[29]
32A District Court Wayne (City of Harper Woods) 1 Harper Woods The 32A District Court was established on January 1, 1979, replacing the Harper Woods Municipal Court.[30]
32B District Court Wayne (Cities of Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores) 0 (Reserved for Future Use) The 32B District Court is reserved for a potential district court serving the Grosse Pointes, which are served by four grandfathered and still active municipal courts located in Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park and Grosse Pointe Woods.
33rd District Court Wayne (Cities of Trenton, Gibraltar, Woodhaven, Rockwood and Flat Rock; Townships of Brownstown and Grosse Ile) 2 Woodhaven
34th District Court Wayne (Cities of Romulus and Belleville; Townships of Sumpter, Van Buren and Huron) 3 Romulus
35th District Court Wayne (Cities of Northville and Plymouth; Townships of Northville, Plymouth and Canton) 3 Plymouth
36th District Court Wayne (City of Detroit) 29 Detroit Replaced the Detroit Common Pleas Court and the traffic/ordinance division of the Detroit Recorders Court; commenced September 1, 1981.[31]
37th District Court Macomb (Cities of Warren and Center Line) 4 Warren and Center Line
38th District Court Macomb (City of Eastpointe) 1 Eastpointe The 38th District Court was established on January 1, 2004, replacing the Eastpointe Municipal Court.[32]
39th District Court Macomb (Cities of Roseville and Fraser) 3 Roseville
40th District Court Macomb (City of St. Clair Shores) 2 St. Clair Shores Established on November 1, 1978, replacing the St. Clair Shores Municipal Court.[33]
41A District Court Macomb (Cities of Sterling Heights and Utica; Townships of Shelby and Macomb) 4 Shelby Township and Sterling Heights
41B District Court Macomb (City of Mount Clemens, Clinton Township and Harrison Township) 3 Clinton Township
42-1 District Court Macomb (Cities of Memphis and Richmond; Townships of Bruce, Washington, Armada, Ray and Richmond) 1 Romeo
42-2 District Court Macomb (City of New Baltimore, Lenox Township and Chesterfield Township) 1 New Baltimore
43rd District Court Oakland (Cities of Ferndale, Hazel Park and Madison Heights) 3 Ferndale, Hazel Park and Madison Heights
44th District Court Oakland (Cities of Royal Oak and Berkley) 2 Royal Oak The City of Berkley was moved from the 45th District Court to the 44th District Court on January 2, 2015.[34]
45th District Court Oakland (Cities of Huntington Woods, Oak Park and Pleasant Ridge; Royal Oak Township) 2 Oak Park The 45A District Court (City of Berkeley) and the 45B District Court (Huntington Woods, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak Township) merged into the 45th District Court on July 1, 2012.[35]
46th District Court Oakland (Cities of Southfield and Lathrup Village; Southfield Township) 3 Southfield
47th District Court Oakland (Cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills) 2 Farmington Hills
48th District Court Oakland (Cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor and Orchard Lake; Townships of Bloomfield and West Bloomfield) 3 Bloomfield Township
50th District Court Oakland (City of Pontiac) 3 Pontiac
51st District Court Oakland (Waterford Township) 2 Waterford Township
52-1 District Court Oakland (Cities of Novi, South Lyon, Wixom and Walled Lake; Townships of Milford, Highland, Commerce, Lyon and Novi 3 Novi
52-2 District Court Oakland (City of Clarkston; Townships of Springfield, Independence, Holly, Groveland, Rose, White Lake and Brandon) 2 Independence Township
52-3 District Court Oakland (Cities of Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Rochester and Lake Angelus; Townships of Oxford, Addison, Orion and Oakland) 3 Rochester Hills
52-4 District Court Oakland (Cities of Troy and Clawson) 2 Troy Was originally designated as the 49th District Court in the enabling legislation effective in 1969. However, the Troy and Clawson Municipal Courts remained in operation until November 1, 1978, when the two courts merged to become the fourth division of the county-funded 52nd District Court.[36]
53rd District Court Livingston 2 Howell
54A District Court Ingham (City of Lansing) 4 Lansing
54B District Court Ingham (City of East Lansing) 2 East Lansing
55th District Court Ingham (except the Cities of Lansing and East Lansing) 2 Mason
56A District Court Eaton 2 Charlotte
The 56th District Court was separated into two separate courts (56A and 56B) on January 1, 1999.[37]
56B District Court Barry 1 Hastings
The 56th District Court was separated into two separate courts (56A and 56B) on January 1, 1999.[38]
57th District Court Allegan 2 Allegan
58th District Court Ottawa 4 Grand Haven, Holland and Hudsonville
59th District Court Kent (Cities of Grandville and Walker) 1 Grandville and Walker Established in 1977; original court(s) unknown.
60th District Court Muskegon 4 Muskegon The original 59th District Court served the city of Muskegon, the city of Muskegon Heights and Muskegon Township before being merged into the county-wide 60th District Court in 1973.[39]
61st District Court Kent (City of Grand Rapids) 6 Grand Rapids
62A District Court Kent (City of Wyoming) 2 Wyoming The 62A District Court was established on January 1, 1979, replacing the Wyoming Municipal Court.
62B District Court Kent (City of Kentwood) 1 Kentwood The 62B District Court was established on January 1, 1979, replacing the Kentwood Municipal Court.[40]
63rd District Court Kent (except the Cities of Grand Rapids, Grandville, Walker, Wyoming and Kentwood) 2 Grand Rapids Township
64A District Court Ionia 1 Ionia
64B District Court Montcalm 1 Stanton
65A District Court Clinton 1 St. Johns
65B District Court Gratiot 1 Ithaca
66th District Court Shiawassee 1 Corunna
67-1 District Court Genesee (Cities of Flushing and Clio; Townships of Flushing, Flint, Montrose, Thetford and Vienna 1 Flushing
67-2 District Court Genesee (Cities of Davison & Burton; Townships of Davison, Forest, Richfield and Atlas) 2 Burton and Davison
67-3 District Court Genesee (City of Mount Morris; Townships of Mount Morris and Genesee) 1 Mount Morris
67-4 District Court Genesee (Cities of Fenton, Grand Blanc and Swartz Creek; Townships of Fenton, Argentine, Grand Blanc, Mundy, Gaines and Clayton) 2 Fenton and Grand Blanc
67-5 District Court Genesee (City of Flint) 4 Flint
The 68th District Court, which served the city of Flint, merged into the 67th District Courts in 2016 to become a county-wide district court.[41]
70-1 District Court Saginaw (Cities of Saginaw and Zilwaukee; Townships of Zilwaukee, Buena Vista, Carrollton and Bridgeport) 2 Saginaw The 69th District Court, which served the city of Saginaw, merged into the 70th District Court (c.1972) to become a county-wide district court.
70-2 District Court Saginaw (except Cities of Saginaw and Zilwaukee; Townships of Zilwaukee, Buena Vista, Carrollton and Bridgeport) 3 Saginaw
71A District Court Lapeer 1 Lapeer
71B District Court Tuscola 1 Caro
72nd District Court St. Clair 3 Port Huron and Marine City
73A District Court Sanilac * Sandusky
73B District Court Huron * Bad Axe
74th District Court Bay 3 Bay City
75th District Court Midland 1 Midland
76th District Court Isabella 1 Mount Pleasant
77th District Court Osceola and Mecosta 1 Big Rapids and Reed City
78th District Court Lake and Newaygo 1 White Cloud and Baldwin
Lake County moved from 79th District Court to 78th District Court on July 1, 2022.[42]
79th District Court Oceana and Mason 1 Hart and Ludington
Oceana County moved from 78th District Court to 79th District Court on July 1, 2022.[43]
80th District Court Gladwin and Clare 1 Gladwin and Harrison
81st District Court Alcona, Arenac, Iosco and Oscoda * Harrisville, Mio, Standish and Tawas City Alcona and Oscoda Counties were transferred from the 82nd District Court to the 81st District Court on April 1, 2003.[44]
82nd District Court Ogemaw and Roscommon 1 Roscommon and West Branch The 83rd District Court (Roscommon County) was merged with the 82nd District Court on April 1, 2012.[45]
84th District Court Missaukee and Wexford 1 Cadillac and Lake City
85th District Court Benzie and Manistee * Beulah and Manistee
86th District Court Antrim, Grand Traverse and Leelanau 2 Traverse City, Bellaire and Suttons Bay Antrim County moved from 87th District Court to 86th District Court on March 26, 2000.[46]
87A District Court Otsego * Gaylord The 87th District Court was separated into three separate courts (87A, 87B and 87C) on January 2, 2009.[47]
87B District Court Kalkaska * Kalkaska The 87th District Court was separated into three separate courts (87A, 87B and 87C) on January 2, 2009.[48]
87C District Court Crawford * Grayling Originally part of the 83rd District Court; moved to the then-87th District Court on April 1, 2003.[49]

The 87th District Court was separated into three separate courts (87A, 87B and 87C) on January 2, 2009.[50]

88th District Court Alpena and Montmorency * Atlanta and Alpena
89th District Court Cheboygan and Presque Isle 1 Cheboygan and Rogers City
90th District Court Emmet and Charlevoix 1 Charlevoix and Petoskey
91st District Court Chippewa * Sault Ste. Marie
92nd District Court Luce and Mackinac 1 St. Ignace and Newberry
93rd District Court Alger and Schoolcraft * Manistique and Munising
94th District Court Delta 1 Escanaba
95A District Court Menominee 1 Menominee
95B District Court Iron and Dickinson 1 Iron Mountain and Crystal Falls
96th District Court Marquette 2 Marquette
97th District Court Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw 1 Eagle River, Houghton and L'Anse The 99th District Court, which consisted of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, were merged into the 97th District Court in 1972.
98th District Court Ontonagon and Gogebic * Bessemer and Ontonagon

References

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  1. ^ "236-1961-81". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  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.
  4. ^ "Michigan Manual 2023-2024" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  5. ^ "1st District Court". Monroe County, MI. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  6. ^ "District Court". Lenawee County, MI. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Public Act 13 of 1998" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  8. ^ "2B District Court". Hillsdale County, MI. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Public Act 13 of 1998" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  10. ^ "3-A District Court". Branch County, MI. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  11. ^ "3B District Court". St. Joseph County, MI. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  12. ^ "4th District Court". Cass County Courts. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Departments". Berrien County, Michigan. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  14. ^ "7th District Court". Van Buren County, MI. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  15. ^ "8th District Court". Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Public Act 161 on 1997" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  17. ^ "10th District Court". Calhoun County, Michigan. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  18. ^ "12th District Court". Jackson County, MI. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Matter of Justin: 577 N.W.2d 71 (1998)". Justia. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.8120". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  21. ^ "MCL 600.9938". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  22. ^ "MCL 600.9935". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  23. ^ "MCL 600.9935". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  24. ^ "MCL 600.9937". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  25. ^ "Public Act 300 of 2011" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  26. ^ "MCL 600.9935". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  27. ^ "MCL 600.9937". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  28. ^ "MCL 600.9937". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  29. ^ "MCL 600.9937". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  30. ^ "MCL 600.9937". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  31. ^ "MCL 600.9941". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Public Act 681 of 2003" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  33. ^ "MCL 600.9936". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Public Act 624 of 2012" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Public Act 37 of 2012" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  36. ^ "The Organization and Funding of District Courts in Oakland County" (PDF). Citizens Research Council of Michigan. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Public Act 14 of 1998" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Public Act 14 of 1998" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Michigan District Judges Association: Celebrating 50 Years" (PDF). State of Michigan. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  40. ^ "MCL 600.9937". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  41. ^ "Genesee County, Flint to merge 2 district courts". Mid-Michigan Now. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  42. ^ "Public Act 7 of 2022" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  43. ^ "Public Act 7 of 2022" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  44. ^ "Public Act 92 of 2002" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  45. ^ "Public Act 35 of 2012" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  46. ^ "Public Act 38 of 2000" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  47. ^ "Public Act 237 of 2008" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  48. ^ "Public Act 237 of 2008" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  49. ^ "Public Act 92 of 2002" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  50. ^ "Public Act 237 of 2008" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
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