The 17th District Court is closely monitoring developments regarding the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID - 19).
On Monday March 23, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order, directing Michigan residents to “stay home, stay safe,” and further restricting nonessential business and travel starting at midnight, March 24, 2020 and for at least the next three weeks. Please, be aware that under this order, the Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-2 remains in effect. As described in AO 2020-2, trial courts must continue to operate to provide essential functions. The 17th District Court continues to comply with this order.
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PLEASE BE ADVISED:
In keeping with State Court Administrative Order 2020-2 the court will limit access to courtrooms and other spaces to no more than 10 persons, including staff, and practice social distancing and limit court activity to only essential functions. The following have been deemed essential functions:
ALL COURT DATES PRIOR TO APRIL 17th HAVE BEEN ADJOURNED. PLEASE CONTACT THE COURT, MONDAY - FRIDAY BETWEEN 8:30 am AND 12:30 pm WITH ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS. NOTICES WILL BE MAILED WHEN THE DATES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED.
- Criminal Matters – To the extent possible and consistent with MCR 6.006 and a defendant’s constitutional and statutory rights, courts should conduct the following hearings remotely using two-way interactive video technology or other remote participation tools:
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- For in-custody criminal defendants, pleas, sentencings, arraignments under MCR 6.104, bond motions under MCR 6.106 or MCR 6.108, probable cause conferences under MCR 6.108 , and preliminary examinations under MCR 6.110.
- Processing of criminal extradition matters for in-custody defendants pursuant to MCL 780.9. The issue of bail should be addressed for those eligible defendants as provided in MCL 780.14.
- With regard to matters involving forensic evaluations of juveniles or adults for competence to stand trial, competence to waive Miranda rights, and criminal responsibility, courts shall permit the use of video technology. The evaluator shall note in the forensic opinion whether the use of video technology impeded an impartial and accurate clinical assessment, and, if so, notify the court that an in-person evaluation must be scheduled.
- Review and determination of requests for search warrants should continue pursuant to MCL 780.651.
- Review and issuance of arrest warrants pursuant to MCL 764.1a for crimes that present a danger to public safety.
- All other criminal matters, including all non-emergency matters where the defendant is not in custody, shall be adjourned. All criminal jury trials shall be adjourned until after April 3, 2020.
- Civil Matters – All matters must be conducted remotely using two way interactive video technology or other remote participation tools or they must be adjourned until after April 3, 2020.
- Traffic Matters – All civil infractions, including trials, must be conducted remotely using two-way interactive video technology or other remote participation tools or they must be adjourned until after April 3, 2020. No bench warrants shall be issued for individuals failing to appear during the state of emergency.
- Other emergency motions in the discretion of the court.
Only court staff will be permitted entry into the 17th District Court all other situations will be handled as follows:
- All essential matters will be handled remotely using video conferencing technology.
- Individuals with general questions may contact the court M-F between 830 am and 1230 pm to speak to a clerk
- Individuals wishing to make a payment may use our online payment system or the court's 24 hour dropbox.
- All probation appointments will be handled by telephone.
- All Civil Filings shall be either mailed or placed in the Court's 24 hour dropbox.
- The Court will comply with Governor Whitmer's temporary stop on evictions. The order can be found here.
- All court dates scheduled prior to April 17th will be adjourned.
Participants in Veterans Treatment Court may contact court personnel via telephone or using the "Remind" application 24 hours per day. All court proceedings regarding the Vetrans Treatment Court will be handled remotely.
Additionally, as essential business concludes each day during the period of limited access, staff will be dismissed and the court will close.
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If you have received a notification in the mail regarding a tax garnishment issued by the 17th District Court against you, your taxes may be garnished by the court for unpaid court fines and costs. The tax garnishment will remain in effect until your fines and costs are paid in full.
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***If you've received a traffic citation, you must respond to the ticket within 14 days***
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Please pardon our dust as the 17th District Court continues construction to provide improved services to court litigants!
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Attention: If you'd like to make a payment, please try our new and improved payment platform by
clicking here!
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The 17th District Court is NOT currently participating in an Amnesty Program. A flyer is currently circulating on the internet but it is Fake News.
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**No cell phones are allowed in the courthouse**
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Turn in Policy: If a Bench Warrant has been issued for your arrest, you may turn yourself in to the court any weekday, Monday through Friday, at 8:45 am and be seen by a Judge.
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***Please be advised: The Court will be closed Friday, April 10, 2020.
There is a 24-hour locked drive up, drop box available for payments in front of Town Hall. Also, payments can be made through our online portal by visiting www.17districtcourtpay.com.
The Court will reopen promptly at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2020. ***
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If you'd like to look up a 17th District Court record please click HERE.
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