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50th District Court

General Information

The District Court is a State of Michigan Court with which more citizens have contact than any other court. The 50th District Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.   The Court is closed Saturday, Sunday & Holidays.  An after hours drop box is available 24 hours per day.  It is located at the front of the Court House near the door.The Court accepts personal checks with proper identification in most instances.   Bonds posted must be in cash, certified check or surety. 
The Court accepts credit card, Visa or Mastercard payments.Telephone payments by credit card, Visa, Mastercard and Discover are taken 24 hours through Government Payment Services, Inc. Call 1 (888)604-7888 (Note: Government Payment Service Inc. charges an additional fee for this service.)For past due, suspended FAC/FCJ citations or for Probation Department payments: you must call the court to obtain the exact amount needed to clear your past due, suspended or probation matters.For Criminal or Traffic matters call (248) 758-3820 between 8:30am - 4:30pm.For Probation Department matters call (248) 758-3811 between 8:30am - 4:30pm.The 50th District Court is a State of Michigan Court which is administered by four elected District Judges who serve 6 year terms.  The District Court has jurisdiction of all City Ordinance violations and State Law Misdemeanors. The Court also conducts Preliminary Examinations of Felony Cases.In Civil matters, this court has jurisdiction of all Civil cases where the amount claimed is up to $25,000.00, Small Claims cases up to $3000.00, and a Landlord/Tenant division. The Court handles garnishments as well as eviction proceedings, land contract and mortgage foreclosures. In Small Claims matters, litigants agree to waive their rights to a jury, rules of evidence, representation by a lawyer and the right to appeal from the District Judge’s decision. Small Claims cases are heard by a Judge whose decision is final.
For Civil Division matters call (248) 758-3880 between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The Court’s Violations Bureau processes all traffic tickets, both Civil Infractions and Misdemeanors, that may be paid by statute without a Court appearance.The 50th District Court Probation Department is responsible for the supervision of all individuals placed on Probation by the District Judges. Presently there are nearly 1,500 active cases. The staff consists of a Chief Probation Officer, two full-time Probation Officers, an executive assistant and several interns.

Juries in District Court are limited to six (6) members (an alternate is selected), five of which can render verdicts in Civil cases. In Criminal cases verdicts must be unanimous.

For further information about the Michigan Court System go to www.courts.michigan.gov/supremecourt.

The Michigan Court System site includes a Self-Help Center http://courts.michigan.gov/scao/selfhelp/selfhelphome.htm

This site is designed to help you find legal assistance, learn about Michigan law, and represent yourself in some legal matters.  This site does not provide legal advice.

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