一般信息

An Overview of Michigan's 地方法院s

In 1969 Michigan Law consolidated almost all of the state's Municipal 法院 into a coordinated system of Districts where full-time judges, 由公民选举产生, could serve the local legal needs of their communities as "courts-of- record." There are 100 地方法院s in Michigan and 265 District Judges who handle hundreds of thousands of traffic, 刑事, 以及每年的民事案件.

管辖范围内

The 地方法院 has jurisdiction for:

Jury and non-jury adjudication of all civil litigation, where one party is suing the other party, 最高25美元,000.00. Civil cases are non-刑事 disputes. 地方法院s 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.
Jury and non-jury trials of all 刑事 misdemeanors under State law or local ordinances. Misdemeanors are charges where the punishment may not exceed one year in jail.
的传讯, setting and acceptance of bail and conducting of "preliminary examinations" in felony cases. Felonies are cases where the punishment exceeds one year of imprisonment. 初审阶段, 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. 如果发现了可能的原因, the matter is sent to 巡回法院, 叫做绑定器, 适用于陪审团或非陪审团审判.
All traffic and parking violations
Small Claims disputes (up to $7,000.00)
Landlord-tenant disputes and land contracts forfeitures
执行婚姻

司法工作人员

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 法院 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 地方法院 Chief Judge. They can include conducting arraignments, 交保, 进行小额索偿审判, 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.

政府 & 组织

The 70th 地方法院 is divided into 5 divisions:

法院管理: Responsible for personnel and fiscal management, 陪审员的协调, maintenance of caseflow and court calendaring.
刑事部门: Maintains 刑事 record keeping systems and the processing and scheduling of all 刑事 and ordinance violations.
交通部门: Responsible for maintaining court records on all traffic and parking ticket violations and the processing and scheduling of these cases.
民事部门: Maintains records on general civil, landlord-tenant and small claims cases and the scheduling and processing of these cases.
缓刑部门: Responsible for the supervision, counseling and referral of defendants placed on probation. The 缓刑 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, 由法官决定.

教育团体参观 & 旅游

The 70th 地方法院 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, 参观一下工厂, discuss the Court with the Judges if time allows, 旁听法庭程序.

Visits to Schools and Community Groups

District Judges regularly visit the schools in their local areas and speak to church and civic groups.

法院小时

Michigan 地方法院s 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 刑事 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, 但只要你安静地做, you are free to enter and leave the proceedings as you wish. 第70区域法院正式开庭 Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 8:00 a.m. 至下午5时.m.

你的地区法官关心. They believe that we are all better served when our citizens know their rights and responsibilities under the law!