Types of Procedures heard by the Criminal Division

• Pre Trials
• Exams
• Violation of Probation Hearings
• Criminal Jury Trials
• Criminal Bench Trials
• Criminal Contested Hearings
• Criminal Bond Hearings
• Criminal Restitution Hearings
• Formal Hearings
• Competency Hearings
• Motions
• Criminal Hearings
• Criminal Show Cause Hearings

Following is a list of the commonly used forms by the 52nd District Court, 4th Division - Criminal Division:

• 52-4 Contact Information - MC505
• Advice of Rights (English) - DC 213
• Advice of Rights (Spanish) Notification de Derechos - DC 213SP
• Appearance - MC 02
• Subpoena, Order to Appear and/or Produce - MC 11
• Statement of Service and Order for Payment of Court Appointed Representative - MC 221
• Motion for Destruction of Biometric Data and Arrest Record - MC 235
• Substitution of Attorney - MC 306
• Request for Appointed Attorney and Order for Repayment - MC 222

Additional Criminal Forms can be found at the Michigan Courts website.

When a defendant is arrested, he or she must be arraigned on the charge within 48 hours. The defendant is brought for an arraignment in front of a judge or magistrate to be informed of the charges and for bond to be set.

After arraignment, the case is assigned to a judge and a preliminary exam must be held within 14 days of the arraignment date. At preliminary exam the judge is responsible for determining if the State has shown probable cause that a crime has been committed and that the defendant committed the crime. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is bound over, transferred, to the Oakland County Circuit Court for trial proceedings.

A complaint or ticket is filed with the court. A case number will be given and a judge is randomly assigned. The defendant is either brought in by the police dept or sent a letter to come in to be arraigned before the magistrate or judge. At this time, the defendant will be informed of the charges and bond will be set.

The defendant will then be scheduled for a pretrial at a later date. At the pre trial, the defendant will speak to a prosecuting attorney to determine what plea the defendant wishes to enter before the judge. If the defendant pleads guilty he will be given a sentencing date approximately 6 weeks from the pre trial date. If the defendant pleads not guilty, a decision must be made by the defendant if he wants a bench trial or a jury trial. The date will then be set for whichever trial the defendant has chosen.

• Assault and Battery
• Attendance at a House Party
• Carry a Concealed Weapon
• Controlled Substance
• Criminal Sexual Conduct
• Disorderly Person
• Disturbing the Peace
• Domestic Violence
• DWLS
• Embezzlement
• Gave False Information to a Police Officer
• Host Ordinance
• Illegal Entry
• Indecent Exposure
• Issuing a Bad Check
• Larceny
• Malicious Destruction of Property
• Minor in Possession of Alcohol
• OUIL/UBAL
• Paraphernalia Possession
• Reckless Driving
• Retail Fraud
• Stalking
• Trespassing

If you have a pending court date for a misdemeanor charge related to a civil infraction, paying the Civil Infraction prior to the court date may influence the outcome of your court case. To avoid this issue, please refrain from paying off any companion tickets/cases until the matters are settled in court, and proper fines & costs have been assessed. If you have any question please contact the court during regular business hours.

To learn more about what suspensions cleared off your driving record automatically, go to the Clean Slate to Drive Initiative at the Secretary of State.