District Courts Throughout Michigan
District Court, with which citizens have contact more than any other court, has exclusive jurisdiction of all civil litigation up to $25,000 and handles garnishments, eviction proceedings, land contract and mortgage foreclosures and other proceedings. In the criminal field, District Court handles all misdemeanors where punishment does not exceed one year, including arraignment, setting and acceptance of bail, trial and sentencing and conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases.
A Small Claims Division for civil cases up to $3,000 is provided in District Court. In these cases litigants agree to waive their right to a jury, rules of evidence, representation by a lawyer and the right to appeal from the district judge's decision. If either party objects, the case will be heard by the General Civil Division of the District Court.
District judges may appoint magistrates. Magistrates may set bail and accept bond in criminal matters; accept guilty pleas and sentence for traffic, motor carrier and snowmobile violations, and dog, game and marine law violations. The magistrate may also issue arrest and search warrants authorized by the prosecutor or municipal attorney. Magistrates may, at the direction of the chief judge, perform other duties allowed by statute.
District judges are elected for terms of six years in non-partisan elections. A candidate must be a qualified elector, a resident of the district, a lawyer who has been licensed to practice law for at least five years, and under 70 years of age. Salaries for district judges are set by the legislature. |
