City of Lansing, Michigan

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Mission Statement
To provide equal trial court services to all persons; employing available resources and working in partnership with the community to afford efficient and courteous assistance.

About District Court
There are approximately 100 judicial district courts in the State of Michigan. District judges are elected for six-year terms on non-partisan ballots. Magistrates may be appointed by District judges.

The district court handles most traffic violations, all civil cases with claims up to $25,000, landlord-tenant matters, most traffic tickets, and all misdemeanor criminal cases where punishment does not exceed more than one year in jail. Small claims cases up to $3,000 are heard by the district court and the district court conducts preliminary exams in felony cases. In addition, a district court may conduct felony arraignments and accept pleas.

All criminal cases, for persons 17 years or older, begin in the district court. The district court explains to the defendant the charges, his or her 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 that is punishable by not more than one year in jail, the district court will conduct a trial and sentence the defendant if found guilty. 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.

About 54-A District Court
The city of Lansing is the jurisdiction served by the 54-A District Court. Currently the 54-A District Court has 5 judges and 1 attorney magistrate. The 54-A District Court is the largest of three district courts in Ingham County. The 54-B District Court located in the city of East Lansing, and the 55th District Court located in the city of Mason are also located in Ingham County.