Supreme Court Helps Michigan Courts Celebrate 50th Anniversary of District Court System

By MSC Public Information Office

The Michigan Supreme Court, in collaboration with the Michigan District Judges Association, is helping courts across the state celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the district court system in Michigan.

As required by the 1963 Constitution, legislation took effect on June 17, 1968, creating district courts and abolishing justices of the peace and circuit court commissioners. Most district courts began operation on January 1, 1969.

The Supreme Court has created a toolkit of resources for district courts to use as they hold events and celebrate this milestone locally. In addition, the Supreme Court is also compiling a commemorative booklet that will contain historical information, photos, news articles, legislative perspective, an enhanced list of the original district court judges, and much more. That booklet will be released during the MDJA Annual Conference this summer.

The district court is often referred to as “The People’s Court,” because the public has more contact with the district court than with any other court in the state and because many people go to district court without an attorney.

The district court has exclusive jurisdiction over all civil claims for damages up to $25,000, including small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, land contract disputes, and civil infractions.

The court may also conduct marriages in a civil ceremony. The district court’s small claims division handles cases in which the amount in controversy is $5,000 or less. The most common civil infractions are minor traffic matters, such as speeding, failure to stop or yield, careless driving, and equipment and parking violations.

District courts handle a wide range of criminal proceedings, including most misdemeanors, offenses for which the maximum possible penalty does not exceed one year in jail. In misdemeanor cases, the district court judge arraigns the defendant, sets and accepts bail, presides at the trial, and sentences the defendant.

Typical district court misdemeanor offenses include driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving on a suspended license, simple assault, shoplifting, and possession of small amounts of marijuana. The district courts also conduct preliminary examinations in felony cases, after which, if the prosecutor provides sufficient proofs, the felony case is transferred to the circuit court for arraignment and trial.

For more information, visit the District Court 50th Anniversary website at www.courts.mi.gov/mdja50.