Michigan Court System
Encyclopedia
The Michigan Court System consists of two courts with primary jurisdiction, one intermediate level appellate court, and a supreme court. There are several administrative courts and specialized courts.
The two primary courts are the District Court and the Circuit Court. The District Court hears cases involving less serious criminal offenses, while the Circuit Court hears the more serious criminal cases. In addition the Circuit Court is the appellate court for cases heard in the District Courts.
The Court of Appeals hears all appeals from the Circuit Courts and the other lower level courts.
The Supreme Court hears appeals from the Court of Appeals and administers all of the courts.
in Article VI, Section 1, states
is the highest court in the state. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" since there is no further appeal from its decisions. It consists of seven justices, who are elected to eight-year terms.
is the second level appellate court. All appeals from lower courts are first heard by this court. Its decisions are subject to appeal to the Supreme Court. It consists of 28 justices, elected in four districts. The four districts act as one court since the court's precedents must be consistent statewide.
Court of Appeals hearings are held in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Marquette
. Hearings are held before a panel of three Court of Appeals judges and at least two of the three judges must agree on the ruling. The decision of the panel is final except for those cases which the Supreme Court reviews.
criminal cases which are cases where the accused, if found guilty, could be sent to prison
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The Circuit Court is the first level appellate court and hears appeals from the other trial courts or from administrative agencies.
There are 57 circuit courts in Michigan. Circuit Court judges are elected for six-year terms.
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All criminal cases, for persons 17 years or older, begin in the District Court. The District Court explains to the defendant the charges, defendant's rights, and the possible consequences if convicted of the charge. The court also determines the bail amount and collects bail. If the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor the district court will conduct a trial and sentence the defendant if found guilty. In felony cases 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.
There are approximately 100 District Courts in Michigan. District Court judges are elected for six-year terms.
have chosen to retain a Municipal Court rather than create a District Court. These municipal courts have limited powers with their scope being similar to that of the District Courts.
Circuit Court. The Court of Claims handles only claims over $1,000 filed against the State of Michigan or one of its departments. Claims for less than $1,000 are filed with the State Administrative Board.
The two primary courts are the District Court and the Circuit Court. The District Court hears cases involving less serious criminal offenses, while the Circuit Court hears the more serious criminal cases. In addition the Circuit Court is the appellate court for cases heard in the District Courts.
The Court of Appeals hears all appeals from the Circuit Courts and the other lower level courts.
The Supreme Court hears appeals from the Court of Appeals and administers all of the courts.
Constitutional Authority
The 1963 Michigan constitutionMichigan Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Michigan is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government....
in Article VI, Section 1, states
The judicial power of the state is vested exclusively in one court of justice which shall be divided into one supreme court, one court of appeals, one trial court of general jurisdiction known as the circuit court, one probate court, and courts of limited jurisdiction that the legislature may establish by a two-thirds vote of the members elected to and serving in each house.
Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme CourtMichigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
is the highest court in the state. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" since there is no further appeal from its decisions. It consists of seven justices, who are elected to eight-year terms.
Court of Appeals
The Michigan Court of AppealsMichigan Court of Appeals
The Michigan Court of Appeals is the intermediate-level appellate court of the state of Michigan. It was created by the Michigan Constitution of 1963, and commenced operations in 1965...
is the second level appellate court. All appeals from lower courts are first heard by this court. Its decisions are subject to appeal to the Supreme Court. It consists of 28 justices, elected in four districts. The four districts act as one court since the court's precedents must be consistent statewide.
Court of Appeals hearings are held in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Marquette
Marquette
-Locations:United States*Marquette, Iowa*Marquette, Kansas*Marquette, Michigan**Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette*Marquette, Nebraska*Marquette , Wisconsin**Marquette, Wisconsin, village within the town*Marquette County, Michigan...
. Hearings are held before a panel of three Court of Appeals judges and at least two of the three judges must agree on the ruling. The decision of the panel is final except for those cases which the Supreme Court reviews.
Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is the trial court with the broadest powers in Michigan. In general, the circuit court handles all civil cases with claims of more than $25,000 and all felonyFelony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
criminal cases which are cases where the accused, if found guilty, could be sent to prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
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The Circuit Court is the first level appellate court and hears appeals from the other trial courts or from administrative agencies.
There are 57 circuit courts in Michigan. Circuit Court judges are elected for six-year terms.
Family Division
The Family Division of Circuit Court handles all cases regarding divorce, paternity, adoptions, personal protection actions, emancipation of minors, treatment and testing of infectious disease, safe delivery of newborns, name changes, juvenile offenses, and child abuse and neglect.Friend of the Court
The Friend of the Court office is part of the Family Division of the Circuit Court. It handles domestic relations cases where minor children are involved, including child support, parenting time, and child custody issues. There is an individual Friend of the Court office designated to each county in the state of Michigan which handles the various cases in that county.District Court
The District Court is the court most people have contact with. The District Court handles most traffic violations, all civil cases with claims under $25,000, landlord-tenant matters, and all misdemeanor criminal cases which are cases where the accused, if found guilty, cannot be sentenced to more than one year in jailJail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
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All criminal cases, for persons 17 years or older, begin in the District Court. The District Court explains to the defendant the charges, defendant's rights, and the possible consequences if convicted of the charge. The court also determines the bail amount and collects bail. If the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor the district court will conduct a trial and sentence the defendant if found guilty. In felony cases 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.
There are approximately 100 District Courts in Michigan. District Court judges are elected for six-year terms.
Municipal Court
The Grosse PointesGrosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe refers to a coastal area in Metro Detroit, Michigan, United States that comprises five adjacent individual communities. From southwest to northeast, they are:*Grosse Pointe Park, city*Grosse Pointe, city*Grosse Pointe Farms, city...
have chosen to retain a Municipal Court rather than create a District Court. These municipal courts have limited powers with their scope being similar to that of the District Courts.
Probate Court
The Probate Court handles proceedings concerning estates, trusts, guardians, conservators, and protective order. It also orders treatment and care for mentally ill and developmentally disabled persons.Court of Claims
For cases filed against the State of Michigan in which a claim for money damages is made, there is a Court of Claims. The Court of Claims is part of the Ingham CountyIngham County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 279,320 people, 108,593 households, and 63,744 families residing in the county. The population density was 500 people per square mile . There were 115,056 housing units at an average density of 206 per square mile...
Circuit Court. The Court of Claims handles only claims over $1,000 filed against the State of Michigan or one of its departments. Claims for less than $1,000 are filed with the State Administrative Board.