65A District Court Criminal Defense

Your Guide to Navigating the 65A District Court in Clinton County

If you are facing criminal charges, a traffic ticket, or a civil dispute in Clinton County, your case will likely begin at the 65A District Court. Understanding the court's location, jurisdiction, and processes is a critical first step in addressing your legal matter and strategizing your defense.

Court Location and Related Offices

The 65A District Court is centrally located within the Clinton County Courthouse complex, a key hub for legal proceedings, at:

100 E State Street, Suite 3400, St. Johns, MI 48879

This building houses not only the District Court but also the 29th Circuit Court (which encompasses the Circuit, Juvenile, and Probate Court divisions) and the Friend of the Court office. [cite: 4_1] Crucially for criminal defense, the Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, which is responsible for prosecuting all criminal cases in the county, is conveniently located in the same building in Suite 3100. [cite: 3_4, 5_4, 7_4] This proximity often facilitates communication and case resolution.

For individuals who are detained, the Clinton County Jail is located nearby at 1347 East Townsend Road, St. Johns, MI 48879. [cite: 3_2, 4_2, 5_2] While the District Court itself does not sentence individuals to state prison, understanding the proximity of the county jail is vital for bond hearings and understanding pre-trial detention. For felony cases that originate in District Court and ultimately proceed to the Circuit Court for sentencing, nearby state prisons that may be relevant for incarceration include the Carson City Correctional Facility, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, and the Central Michigan Correctional Facility in St. Louis. [cite: 3_3, 4_3, 7_3]

For those seeking legal resources, the Legal Self-Help Center of Clinton County can be found at the Briggs District Library. [cite: 3_1]

Types of Cases Handled by the 65A District Court

As the entry point for most legal cases in the county, the 65A District Court has a broad jurisdiction, handling both criminal and civil matters.

• Criminal Cases: The court handles all adult misdemeanors from initial arraignment and bond setting through pre-trial conferences, evidentiary hearings, bench or jury trials, and sentencing. These are offenses where the potential punishment does not exceed one year in jail and/or a specific fine. For more serious felony cases (offenses punishable by more than one year in prison), the District Court conducts the critical initial proceedings. This includes the arraignment on the warrant (where charges are formally presented and bond is set), the probable cause conference (an opportunity for early resolution or to set the preliminary examination), and the preliminary examination. The preliminary examination is a crucial hearing where the prosecutor must present sufficient evidence to demonstrate probable cause that a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it, before the case can be "bound over" to the Circuit Court for further proceedings.
• Civil Cases: The court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil litigation involving claims up to $25,000. It also manages specific types of civil actions such as small claims cases, landlord-tenant issues (including evictions and disputes over possession), and summary proceedings for land contract forfeitures. Note: While the District Court handles land contract forfeitures, mortgage foreclosures are typically handled by the Circuit Court.
• Traffic and Ordinance Violations: All civil infractions (such as speeding tickets, defective equipment, or minor moving violations) and criminal traffic misdemeanors (like Operating While Intoxicated first offense, or Driving While License Suspended) are handled by this court, along with violations of local city, township, or county ordinances.

How the Court Operates in Clinton County

The 65A District Court is an integral part of Michigan's judicial system, working closely with local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. Criminal and traffic cases are brought to the court by various local agencies operating within Clinton County, including but not limited to: the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, the DeWitt City Police Department, DeWitt Township Police Department, the Elsie Police Department, the St. Johns Police Department, the Ovid Police Department, and the Bath Township Police Department. [cite: 3_5] The Michigan State Police Lansing Post (No. 11), which serves Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, also sends cases to this courthouse. [cite: 5_6]

The Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, currently led by Prosecuting Attorney Tony Spagnuolo, is responsible for prosecuting all misdemeanor and felony cases initiated in the county. [cite: 3_4] This office plays a central role in charging decisions, plea negotiations, and the presentation of cases in court.

Special Programs and Online Services

The 65A District Court is committed to offering specialized programs designed to address underlying issues that may contribute to criminal behavior, aiming for rehabilitation and reduced recidivism. These include the Mid-Michigan Regional Sobriety Court and the Mid-Michigan Regional Mental Health Court. These specialty courts provide intensive supervision, treatment, and support for eligible individuals who struggle with substance abuse or mental health disorders, offering an alternative to traditional incarceration and often leading to better long-term outcomes for participants. Qualification for these programs typically involves specific offense types (often non-violent), a diagnosed condition, and a commitment to rigorous program requirements. For a criminal defense attorney, these programs represent crucial opportunities for clients to avoid jail time and receive necessary support.

To improve public access and convenience, the court provides several online services, allowing individuals to make payments for fines and tickets, request online ticket mediation for civil infractions, or check on outstanding warrants.

For more detailed information, you can visit the official 65A District Court website.