62A District Court Criminal Defense

Understanding the 62-A District Court in Wyoming, Michigan

If you are facing criminal charges, a traffic ticket, or a civil dispute in Wyoming, Michigan, your case will likely be heard at the 62-A District Court. As a criminal defense attorney focused on Kent County, I’ve prepared this guide to help you understand this specific courthouse and what to expect.

Court Location and Jurisdiction

The 62-A District Court is located at 2650 DeHoop Avenue SW, Wyoming, MI 49509. This court serves the city of Wyoming exclusively within Kent County.

In Michigan's judicial structure, district courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. This means they are the starting point for all criminal cases and handle a specific range of legal matters prescribed by state statute. They do not hear felony trials or major civil cases exceeding their monetary limit. The primary law enforcement agency that brings cases to this court is the Wyoming Department of Public Safety. However, cases may also be brought by other agencies, including the Michigan State Police (especially for incidents on state highways or involving specific investigations), and occasionally the Kent County Sheriff's Office if an incident occurred within the city limits of Wyoming but was investigated by the Sheriff's department, or if it involved county-wide task forces.

The 62-A District Court currently has one elected District Court Judge, Honorable Steven T. Timmers, who presides over all criminal, civil, and traffic matters, as well as a court Magistrate.

Types of Cases Handled at the 62-A District Court

The court's docket is divided into a Traffic & Criminal Division and a Civil Division, each handling specific types of cases.

Criminal Charges

• Misdemeanors: The court presides over all criminal misdemeanors where the potential penalty does not exceed one year of imprisonment or a fine of $1,000, or both, as defined by Michigan state law. This includes a wide array of offenses such as Operating While Intoxicated (OWI, commonly known as DUI), domestic violence, retail fraud (theft), assault and battery, possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct, and many other common charges. Misdemeanor cases typically proceed from arraignment to pre-trial conferences, and potentially to motions, bench trials, or jury trials within the District Court.
• Felony Preliminary Examinations: For more serious felony charges, the 62-A District Court holds the initial arraignment (where charges are formally presented and bond is set) and then a preliminary examination. The purpose of this preliminary examination is crucial: the prosecutor must present enough evidence to convince the District Court Judge that two things are true: 1) a felony crime was committed, and 2) there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed that crime. This is a lower standard of proof than "beyond a reasonable doubt" required for a conviction at trial. If probable cause is established, the case is "bound over" to the 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids for trial and further proceedings. If probable cause is not established, the felony charge may be dismissed by the District Court, though the prosecutor could potentially refile or modify charges.
• Traffic Offenses: The court handles all traffic-related matters, broadly divided into civil infractions and criminal misdemeanors.
  • Civil Infractions: These are non-criminal violations, such as speeding tickets, no proof of insurance, seatbelt violations, or failure to stop. These typically result in fines and points on your driving record. A part-time Magistrate is responsible for conducting all informal hearings for municipal and traffic civil infractions, where individuals can contest tickets without a prosecutor present. Formal hearings for civil infractions, where a prosecutor is involved, are held before the Judge.
  • Traffic Misdemeanors: These are more serious traffic offenses that carry potential jail time, significant fines, and often more severe consequences for one's driving record. Examples include Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), Reckless Driving, Driving While License Suspended/Revoked (DWLS), and Leaving the Scene of an Accident. These are handled by the Judge and follow the full criminal process.

All criminal prosecutions for violations of Michigan state law in this court are primarily handled by the Kent County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, located at 82 Ionia Avenue NW, Suite 450, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. However, for violations of City of Wyoming ordinances, such as certain zoning violations, noise complaints, or specific local code infractions, the Wyoming City Attorney's Office may handle the prosecution, even though the case is heard in the District Court. Individuals detained in connection with cases here are typically held at the Kent County Correctional Facility in Grand Rapids.

Civil and Local Cases

• General Civil Cases: The court has jurisdiction over civil lawsuits where the amount in dispute is up to $25,000. These can include contract disputes, personal injury claims below the Circuit Court threshold, and property damage claims.
• Small Claims: A dedicated small claims division handles cases with damages up to $7,000. These cases are designed to be resolved without attorneys, making the process more accessible for individuals to represent themselves in disputes over money. Appeals from Small Claims are heard in the Circuit Court.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes: The court presides over eviction proceedings (Summary Proceedings for Possession of Premises) and other disputes between landlords and tenants, such as claims for unpaid rent or property damage.
• Municipal Civil Infractions: This includes non-criminal violations of local city ordinances, such as zoning or building code enforcement issues, parking violations, animal control infractions, and other regulatory matters specific to the City of Wyoming.

Navigating the Court System

The 62-A District Court utilizes modern systems to manage its cases. It uses MiFILE, Michigan's mandatory electronic filing system, primarily for attorneys filing civil matters. For public access, the court provides an online Case Lookup tool for criminal and traffic cases. However, be aware that certain records, such as cases involving youthful offenders (often referred to as Holmes Youthful Trainee Act or HYTA), specific drug charges that have resulted in deferred dismissals, or cases that have been expunged, are non-public and will not appear in the search. It's also important to note that the online system may not always reflect the most current status of a case immediately, especially after recent hearings.

For those who cannot afford an attorney, requests for court-appointed counsel in misdemeanor cases are managed by a dedicated indigent defense administrator or through a local public defender system established for District Courts. Felony appointments, for cases that are bound over to the Circuit Court, are handled by the Kent County Indigent Defense Administration (KCIDA), which oversees and funds indigent defense services for felony cases. It is crucial to request an attorney at your first court appearance (arraignment) if you cannot afford one.

A notable program within the Kent County court system is the Veterans Treatment Court, a specialty docket designed to address the unique challenges faced by veterans involved in the justice system. This problem-solving court aims to connect eligible veterans with the resources and treatment they need, such as for PTSD, substance abuse, or mental health issues, in lieu of traditional incarceration, aiming for rehabilitation and reintegration. Eligibility typically involves specific charges and a connection to military service.

For official information, including court dockets, hours, and contact details, please visit the official 62-A District Court website. It is always recommended to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney if you are facing charges in the 62-A District Court to understand your rights and options.