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. 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.
A person aged 18-years or older who is charged with a crime will begin their case with an appearance before a district court judge. In an appearance, the district court will explain the charges to the defendant along with their 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.
List of District Courts As of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session
(*) indicates a District Court presided over by the Probate Judge Court County Number of Judges Courthouse location(s) Image Notes 1st District Court Monroe 3 Monroe2A District CourtLenawee2AdrianOriginally 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, 1999.2B District CourtHillsdale1HillsdaleOriginally 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, 1999.3A District CourtBranch1ColdwaterOriginally 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 CourtSt. Joseph2CentrevilleOriginally 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 CourtCass1Cassopolis5th District CourtBerrien5St. Joseph and NilesThe 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. 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 CourtVan Buren2Paw Paw8th District CourtKalamazoo6KalamazooThe 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.10th District CourtCalhoun4Battle CreekThe 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 CourtJackson4JacksonThe 13th District Court, which served the City of Jackson, merged into the 12th District Court in 1985 to become a county-wide district court.14A District CourtWashtenaw (except the City of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Township)3Pittsfield Township (14A-1), Ypsilanti (14A-2), Chelsea (14A-3) and Saline (14A-4)14B District CourtWashtenaw (Ypsilanti Township)1Ypsilanti TownshipBegan operations on January 1, 1985 after Ypsilanti Township approved establishing a municipal-funded court separate from then-14th District Court.15th District CourtWashtenaw (City of Ann Arbor)3Ann Arbor16th District CourtWayne (City of Livonia)2Livonia17th District CourtWayne (Redford Township)2Redford Township18th District CourtWayne (City of Westland)2Westland19th District CourtWayne (City of Dearborn)3Dearborn20th District CourtWayne (City of Dearborn Heights)2Dearborn Heights21st District CourtWayne (Garden City)1Garden City22nd District CourtWayne (City of Inkster)1Inkster23rd District CourtWayne (City of Taylor)2TaylorThe 23rd District Court was established on January 1, 1980, replacing the Taylor Municipal Court.24th District CourtWayne (Cities of Allen Park and Melvindale)2Allen ParkThe 24th District Court was established with the merger of the Allen Park and Melvindale Municipal Courts on December 1, 1977.25th District CourtWayne (Cities of Ecorse, Lincoln Park and River Rouge )2Lincoln ParkThe 25th District Court was established on December 1, 1977, replacing the Lincoln Park Municipal Court.