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66th District Court Criminal Defense

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    Navigating the 66th District Court in Shiawassee County

    If you are facing a legal issue in Shiawassee County, understanding the role and function of the 66th District Court is a critical first step. This court is a cornerstone of the local justice system, handling a wide variety of cases that significantly affect the daily lives of county residents. For anyone facing criminal charges, the 66th District Court is often where your journey through the legal system begins.

    Court Location and Key Legal Offices

    The 66th District Court is located in the Courts and Defender Building at 110 E Mack Street, Corunna, MI 48817. This building is part of a larger legal campus in Corunna, the county seat, making it a central point for judicial matters.

    Several other essential legal facilities are located nearby, creating a centralized hub for judicial matters in Shiawassee County. These include:

    • Shiawassee County Courthouse: 208 N Shiawassee St, Corunna, MI 48817. This building houses the 1st Judicial Circuit Court (handling all felony trials, higher-value civil cases over $25,000, and appeals from District Court), the Family Court (which presides over divorce, child custody, child support, and juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings), and the Probate Court (managing wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitments). Understanding this distinction is crucial, as the severity of a criminal charge dictates whether it remains in District Court or is bound over to Circuit Court.
    • Shiawassee County Prosecuting Attorney's Office: 201 North Shiawassee Street, Surbeck Building, Second Floor, Corunna, MI 48817. This office, led by Prosecuting Attorney Scott A. Koerner, is responsible for reviewing police reports, deciding what specific criminal charges to file in the county, and prosecuting those charges. Their role extends to negotiating plea agreements and making sentencing recommendations, which are pivotal stages in any criminal defense case.
    • Shiawassee County Jail: 201 East McArthur Street, Corunna, MI 48817. This 165-bed facility serves as the primary detention center for individuals arrested within Shiawassee County. It houses those awaiting arraignment, bond hearings, preliminary examinations, and trials, as well as individuals serving short-term misdemeanor sentences handed down by the 66th District Court. Individuals arrested in Shiawassee County will typically be processed and held here before their initial appearance in District Court.

    Types of Cases Handled by the 66th District Court

    The 66th District Court has broad jurisdiction over a wide range of legal matters, making it the starting point for nearly all criminal and many civil cases in the county.

    Criminal Cases:
    • Misdemeanors: The court presides over all adult misdemeanor offenses where the maximum penalty is one year or less in jail and/or a fine. Common examples include Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), Retail Fraud (shoplifting), Domestic Violence (first offense), Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Driving While License Suspended (DWLS), and various minor drug offenses.
    • Felonies: While the 1st Judicial Circuit Court handles felony trials, the 66th District Court conducts the critical initial stages of all felony cases. These stages include:
      • Arraignment on the Warrant: Where the defendant is formally notified of the charges and bond is set.
      • Probable Cause Conference: An opportunity for the prosecutor and defense attorney to discuss the case and potential resolution.
      • Preliminary Examination: A crucial evidentiary hearing where the prosecutor must demonstrate to a District Court judge that there is "probable cause" to believe a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it. If probable cause is found, the case is "bound over" to the Circuit Court for further proceedings, including potential trial.
    • Traffic and Ordinance Violations: The court adjudicates all civil infractions (e.g., speeding tickets, disregarding a stop sign) and criminal traffic misdemeanors (e.g., reckless driving, OWI) as well as violations of local township, city, or county ordinances.
    Civil Cases:
    • The court handles general civil litigation for disputes involving amounts up to $25,000.
    • It also manages small claims cases for disputes up to $7,000 (note: this was updated from $6,500 by PA 293 of 2022, effective 2/13/2023).
    • Landlord-tenant matters, such as eviction proceedings (summary proceedings to recover possession of premises), and land contract forfeitures are also handled here. It's important to note that most complex mortgage foreclosures are typically handled in Circuit Court or through statutory "foreclosure by advertisement" processes, rather than in District Court.

    How a Case Gets to the 66th District Court

    Cases originate from investigations conducted by various law enforcement agencies operating within Shiawassee County. Reports from the Michigan State Police (including their Corunna Post), the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office, and municipal police departments, including those in Owosso, Durand, Perry, Laingsburg, and Corunna, are all sent to the Shiawassee County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The prosecutor then reviews the evidence, exercises their prosecutorial discretion, and determines whether to issue formal charges, which are subsequently filed with the 66th District Court. This critical decision point can lead to charges being filed, reduced, or sometimes, no charges being issued at all.

    Unique Court Procedures and Resources

    The 66th District Court offers several modern services to facilitate access to the justice system. The court provides online payment options for fines and tickets and maintains a public "Court Case Inquiry" tool on its website. This allows individuals to search for defendant names and upcoming court dates for many criminal and traffic cases.

    However, certain case types are not publicly accessible through this online portal to protect privacy and allow for opportunities to avoid a public criminal record. These include:

    • Cases involving specific drug charges handled under MCL 333.7411 (the "7411" deferral), which allows qualifying first-time drug offenders to have their charges dismissed upon successful completion of probation, thereby avoiding a public conviction record.
    • Matters disposed of under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA, MCL 762.11 et seq.), which permits eligible youthful offenders (generally ages 18-26 at the time of the offense) to have their convictions deferred and ultimately expunged from their public record upon successful completion of their sentence.
    • While criminal charges (e.g., child abuse) are generally public, cases related to child protective proceedings (often termed "neglect or abuse cases") are handled by the Family Division of the Circuit Court and are confidential to protect the privacy of the children and families involved. The District Court's online portal may also have restrictions on very sensitive criminal cases.

    For official and complete records, or for cases not appearing on the public portal, direct contact with the court clerk's office is necessary.

    The court is committed to accessibility and has a Language Access Plan to assist individuals with limited English proficiency, ensuring due process for all. It also operates a District Court Probation department to supervise offenders sentenced to probation. For more detailed information, you can visit the official 66th District Court website.