14B District Court Criminal Defense

Understanding the 14B District Court in Ypsilanti Township

If you are facing criminal charges, a traffic ticket, or a civil dispute in Ypsilanti Township, your case will likely be handled at the John B. Collins 14B District Court. This court is named in honor of John B. Collins, a former Chief Judge of the 14B District Court who served with distinction. Located at 7200 S. Huron River Dr., Ypsilanti, MI 48197, this court is a central part of the local justice system. For official information, including court schedules and departmental contacts, you can visit the 14B District Court's dedicated page on the Ypsilanti Township website or call the main court number at (734) 483-5300.

Jurisdiction and Case Types at the 14B District Court

The 14B District Court's authority is geographically focused on cases that arise within Ypsilanti Township. It serves as the starting point for many legal matters and has a broad jurisdiction that covers several types of cases:

• Criminal Misdemeanors: The court handles criminal offenses where the maximum penalty is up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 (plus court costs and statutory assessments). Common misdemeanor charges include OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), retail fraud (shoplifting), domestic violence, assault and battery, and various property crimes.
• Felony Preliminary Examinations: While felony cases (crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison) are ultimately tried at the circuit court level, they all begin in district courts like the 14B. The court conducts preliminary examinations to determine if there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it, sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to the 22nd Circuit Court in Ann Arbor. This is a critical stage where a skilled defense attorney can challenge the prosecution's evidence.
• Traffic Tickets and Civil Infractions: This includes a wide range of moving violations (e.g., speeding, careless driving, failure to stop), non-moving violations, and other civil infractions such as dog licensing violations, parking violations, and recreational vehicle infractions. While not criminal, these can still result in fines, points on your driving record, and increased insurance premiums.
• Municipal Civil Infractions: The court presides over violations of local ordinances specific to Ypsilanti Township, such as those related to property maintenance, zoning codes, noise complaints, and littering. These are prosecuted by the Ypsilanti Township Attorney's Office.
• Civil and Small Claims Cases: The court has jurisdiction over general civil disputes where the amount in question is $25,000 or less. This also includes summary proceedings for landlord/tenant disputes (e.g., evictions) and small claims matters, where the amount in dispute is $7,000 or less and parties typically represent themselves without attorneys.

The 14B District Court's Role in the Michigan Court System

Michigan's judicial system is structured in tiers, with district courts serving as the primary trial courts where most legal proceedings commence. The 14B District Court is one of the divisions of the 14th District Court, which serves all of Washtenaw County and operates out of four distinct physical locations:

• 14A-1 District Court (Ann Arbor)
• 14A-2 District Court (Saline)
• 14A-3 District Court (Chelsea/Dexter)
• 14B District Court (Ypsilanti Township)
• 14A-4 District Court (City of Ypsilanti)

This structure places the 14B District Court as a crucial entry point into the county's justice system for residents and incidents within Ypsilanti Township. More serious cases, specifically felonies, are bound over from the district courts to the 22nd Circuit Court, which serves all of Washtenaw County and handles all felony trials.

Cases involving violations of state law heard in this court are prosecuted by the Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, currently led by Prosecuting Attorney Eli Savit. The office is located at 200 N Main St, 3rd Floor, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Cases involving local ordinance violations are prosecuted by the Ypsilanti Township Attorney. Law enforcement agencies that bring cases to the 14B District Court include the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, the Michigan State Police, and deputies assigned to the Ypsilanti Township Police, which operates under a contract with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office.

Individuals who are detained pending trial for cases in the 14B District Court are typically held at the Washtenaw County Jail, located at 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

What Makes the 14B District Court Unique?

The 14B District Court has implemented specific programs designed to address the unique needs of the community and promote justice and rehabilitation. Under the leadership of Chief Judge J. Cedric Washington, the court operates innovative specialty dockets, including:

• Recovery and Human Trafficking Court: This program provides a specialized, supportive environment for individuals struggling with substance use disorder or who have been victims of human trafficking, focusing on treatment, rehabilitation, and stability rather than traditional punitive measures.
• Domestic Violence Specialty Docket: This docket offers focused judicial oversight and access to specialized resources for cases involving domestic violence, aiming to enhance victim safety and offender accountability through tailored interventions.

For those facing eligible traffic citations, the court offers an innovative online review program. This system allows individuals with certain minor moving violations (typically those not involving accidents or serious offenses) to have their ticket reviewed by the issuing law enforcement agency, potentially resulting in an amendment to a non-abstractable, no-point violation. This can often avoid a formal court appearance and help mitigate the impact on driving records and insurance rates, though approval is at the discretion of the police agency.

The public can also access general case information through the MiCOURT Case Search system (michigan.gov/courts/administration/sao/micourt-case-search). This online tool allows for the review of basic case statuses, upcoming court dates, and payment information for many civil, criminal, and traffic cases statewide. However, it is important to note that certain non-public cases (e.g., those involving minors, expunged records, or protective orders) are not available through this online search. While a useful resource, MiCOURT Case Search should not be considered a substitute for legal advice or official court records, and individuals should always verify critical information directly with the court clerk.