91st District Court Criminal Defense

Navigating the 91st District Court in Chippewa County

If you are facing criminal charges, a traffic ticket, or a civil dispute in Chippewa County, your case will likely begin at the 91st District Court. Understanding the court's role, location, and procedures is the first step toward building a strong defense, and engaging with experienced legal counsel is often critical for navigating these complexities.

The 91st District Court is centrally located in the Chippewa County Courthouse complex at 325 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. This building serves as a central hub of legal activity, also housing the Chippewa County Correctional Facility and the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office. Adjacent to the court are other critical legal offices, including the 50th Circuit Court at 319 Court Street, the 17th Probate Court, and the Chippewa County Prosecuting Attorney's Office at 300 Court St. Suite 2.

What Types of Cases Does the 91st District Court Handle?

As the local court for the entire county, including Sault Ste. Marie, Drummond Island, Kinross, Paradise, and Brimley, the 91st District Court has broad jurisdiction over a variety of local legal matters under Michigan law.

Criminal Charges

The court is the starting point for all criminal cases in Chippewa County.

Misdemeanor Offenses: The 91st District Court handles all aspects of misdemeanor offenses from arraignment through sentencing. Misdemeanors are crimes punishable by up to one year in the county jail and/or a fine. Examples include certain OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) offenses, retail fraud (shoplifting), domestic violence, and minor assault charges.

Felony Charges: For more serious felony charges (crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison), the District Court presides over the initial stages. These stages include the arraignment (where charges are formally read and bond is set) and the preliminary examination. During the preliminary examination, the prosecutor must present enough evidence to convince the judge that there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it. If probable cause is established, the case is "bound over" to the 50th Circuit Court for further proceedings, including potential plea negotiations, jury trial, and sentencing. The District Court does not have the authority to sentence individuals to state prison for felony convictions.

Traffic Tickets and Civil Infractions

The court processes all civil traffic violations and municipal infractions issued by local law enforcement agencies, such as the Michigan State Police, Chippewa County Sheriff's Office, and Sault Ste. Marie Police Department.

Civil Infractions: These are non-criminal violations (e.g., speeding tickets, disregarding a stop sign, parking violations) that typically result in fines, points on your driving record, and potentially increased insurance premiums. They do not carry the possibility of jail time.

Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses: More serious traffic violations, such as OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), Driving While License Suspended (DWLS), or Reckless Driving, are criminal misdemeanors and are handled under the criminal charges jurisdiction described above.

Civil Lawsuits and Small Claims

The 91st District Court also presides over various civil disputes:

• General Civil Cases: Lawsuits where the amount in dispute is $25,000 or less. These can range from contract disputes to property damage claims.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes: These are known as Summary Proceedings and involve cases such as evictions, non-payment of rent, and other rental agreement conflicts.
• Small Claims: A division specifically designed for disputes up to $7,000. In Small Claims cases, parties generally represent themselves and attorneys are typically not permitted to advocate on behalf of the parties, making it a more accessible forum for minor disputes.

Key Local Procedures and Institutions

Specialty Courts

The 91st District Court operates a Mental Health Court. This specialized docket is designed to address cases involving offenders with diagnosed mental health issues, aiming to provide therapeutic interventions, supervision, and support as an alternative to traditional incarceration. The goal is to reduce recidivism by addressing underlying mental health needs.

Prosecuting Attorney

The Chippewa County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is responsible for reviewing all police reports and deciding whether to issue formal criminal charges in the 91st District Court. Once charges are issued, they are also responsible for negotiating plea agreements and prosecuting cases at trial. The current Prosecuting Attorney for Chippewa County is Robert L. Stratton.

Detention and Sentencing

Individuals arrested and awaiting trial in Chippewa County are typically held at the Chippewa County Correctional Facility, which is located within the courthouse building at 325 Court Street. When bond is set, it can be paid in various forms, including cash, a 10% cash deposit (where 10% of the bond amount is paid to the court), or through a licensed bondsman (surety bond). Judges have discretion in setting bond conditions, which can include personal recognizance (no money required), cash bonds, or property bonds, along with conditions like no-contact orders or drug testing.

If a case in District Court results in a conviction, sentencing for misdemeanor offenses will be to the Chippewa County Correctional Facility (county jail), with a maximum possible sentence of one year.

If a felony case is bound over to the 50th Circuit Court and results in a conviction, the Circuit Court may impose a sentence to a state prison. Individuals sentenced to state prison from Chippewa County may be sent to nearby facilities such as the Chippewa Correctional Facility in Kincheloe or the Kinross Correctional Facility, both operated by the Michigan Department of Corrections.

For official information, including court dockets, filing procedures, and the court's Electronic Device Policy, please visit the 91st District Court's official website.