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8th District Court

The mission of Kalamazoo County’s 8 th District Court is to create, as a foundation for a jurisdiction-wide unified trial court, a single district court, integrated both judicially and administratively, using shared resources that function in accordance with uniform procedures to provide citizens equal and timely access to the local justice system.

Summary

The Kalamazoo County District Court serves the County of Kalamazoo. It is a court of limited jurisdiction that hears the following matters:

• Traffic and non-traffic civil infractions
• Criminal and traffic misdemeanors
• Felony arraignment and preliminary hearings
• Civil matters less than $25,000
• Small claims matters for recovery of money not to exceed $3000
• Landlord-tenant summary proceedings
• Search and Arrest Warrants
• Weddings

The District Court is housed in three locations, North, Crosstown and South. The North Location administers all criminal misdemeanor and felony matters for the City of Kalamazoo and the north county area. The Crosstown Location processes all civil and non-misdemeanor traffic claims for the city of Kalamazoo and the north county area. The South Location handles the criminal and civil matters for the City of Portage and the south county area.

Contact Us

Judges

Quinn E. Benson, North Location, Court M, (269) 383-8640

Anne Blatchford, North Location, Court K, (269) 383-8662

Paul J. Bridenstine, Crosstown, Court Q, (269) 384-8103

Carol A. Husum, North Location, Court N, (269) 384-8203

Robert C. Kropf, South Location, Court S, (269) 321-3634

Richard A. Santoni, North Location, Court L, (269) 383-8929

Vincent C. Westra, North Location, Court J, (269) 383-8903

District Court Services

Traffic Civil Infractions

Infractions are citations (tickets) received from local law enforcement agencies for offenses such as speeding, expired plate and seat belt violations. The District Court may impose a financial penalty, but may not commit the defendant to jail.

A defendant has 10 days to request a hearing or pay the fines and costs:

• An informal hearing may be requested by phone, mail or in person but the request must be received no later than 10 calendar days after the citation was issued. The informal hearing will be heard by a District Court Magistrate to determine whether the defendant is responsible for the infraction. A defendant may appeal the Magistrate’s judgment within 7 days following the hearing, post a bond and have the matter heard before a District Judge.
• If the defendant fails to respond, a judgment by default will be entered; a $25 default fee will be added in addition to the fine and costs; and the conviction will be reported to the Secretary of State for posting to the driving record. A continued failure to respond the infraction will result in the suspension of Michigan driving privileges and additional fees.

Misdemeanors (Traffic and non-traffic)

These case filings include charges such as Possession of Marijuana, Driving With a Suspended License, Operating Under the Influence, Domestic Violence and Retail Fraud. Mandatory appearance by the defendant is required. The maximum penalty can reach one year in jail and up to a $2000 fine.

Individuals who receive a criminal citation or a warrant begin by appearing for an Arraignment. At arraignment the defendant is informed of the charge(s) and a plea of guilty or not guilty is accepted. The Court may impose certain pre-trial conditions. If the defendant pleads guilty, the finding of guilt is entered and the case proceeds to sentencing.

If the defendant pleads not guilty, the case is set for a Pre-Trial Conference. This allows the defendant time to plan a defense or retain an attorney. The Court will also consider requests for a court-appointed attorney at this time.

If the case is settled at the pretrial conference with a plea, the case will proceed to sentencing. If the case is not settled, it proceeds to trial. The defendant has the right to request a jury trial or a bench trial. A bench trial proceeds without a panel of jurors and a judge decides the case. A jury trial requires the selection of a jury panel and the jury makes the decision of either not guilty or guilty.

Warrants for arrest are issued by the Court for failure of the defendant to appear for court hearings or failure to abide by conditions of a court order.

Cash bond posted for a defendant may be held until the case is completed and until any fine/costs owed are paid. Whether bond may be released is made on a case-by-case basis. If ordered by the judge, the Court issues a refund check to the person who posted the bond. Refund checks take approximately 7 to 10 working days to process.

FELONY PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS

Individuals charged with a felony are arraigned in District Court following arrest on the warrant. The Court sets bond and schedules a preliminary hearing within fourteen (14) days of the arraignment. At the preliminary hearing, if there is probable cause that the defendant committed the crime(s), the case is sent to the Circuit Court for further proceedings including any trial and sentencing.

Civil / Small Claims / Landlord-Tenant

The District Court handles all civil cases for damages due to injury to individuals or personal property, penalties and contract disputes not greater than $25,000. Civil cases must be filed with the Court prior to service on the defendant. Personal service upon the defendant is necessary in order to obtain a money judgment. Individuals may represent themselves in civil proceedings or they may retain an attorney. An attorney must represent a corporation.

A small claims case is filed for the recovery of money owed that does not exceed $3000. Small claims matters must be filed in the county where the defendant resides or where the cause of action took place. When filing a small claim the information needed includes the name and address of the person/company being sued; the amount owed; the date the money became due; and the reason for the lawsuit. The Court does not collect the money awarded in a judgment. A small claims case is scheduled in front of a magistrate who will receive the evidence from both sides and will make a decision. An appeal of a magistrate’s decision to a judge must be made within seven days of the magistrate’s decision.

Landlord-tenant disputes are a version of civil cases called summary proceedings. They are treated like civil cases except there is no limitation on the damage amount. All necessary Notices to Quit and copies of lease agreements must be included in any filing. Following the Court’s entry of an order, a successful plaintiff must apply for a writ of restitution/eviction should the defendant not comply with the order’s terms.

WEDDINGS

A magistrate at the Crosstown Location performs weddings on Friday afternoons. The couple should contact the Court within fourteen (14) days of the expected wedding to schedule a time. The couple should bring the appropriate Michigan wedding license, $10.00 for filing, and two witnesses for the ceremony.

CIVIL FEES

* The above are just some of the fees. For further information about fees, contact the District Court at (269) 384-8171.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the District Court's business hours?
2. What is appropriate dress and etiquette for the courtroom?
3. I received a traffic ticket. Where can I pay it?
4. I received a traffic ticket and would like to contest it. What do I need to do?
5. A warrant has been issued for my arrest. What should I do to take care of it?
6. How do I file a small claim matter?

1. What are the District Court's business hours?
   

   The office hours for all three District Court locations are 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. All locations are closed on weekends and legal holidays. The Court does hold night court on Wednesday evenings at the Crosstown Location for Informal Hearings on Civil Infraction violations.

2. What is appropriate dress and etiquette for the courtroom?
   

   Because all District Court proceedings are recorded by video and audiotape, courtrooms must be quiet. Everyone is asked to be quiet and respectful of those whose proceedings are being heard. There are NO child-care facilities provided by the court. Children who become noisy will be required to stay in the hall outside the courtroom under adult supervision.

   Appropriate dress includes professional attire such as suits, jackets, dresses or dress slacks. Casual clothing, such as sweat clothes, tank tops, shorts and other similar summer beach wear is not appropriate for the courtroom. Hats must be removed when entering the courtroom.

   Smoking, food and beverages are prohibited in the courtroom. Pagers and cell phones must be turned off.

3. I received a traffic ticket. Where can I pay it?
   

   If you wish to admit responsibility to a traffic civil infraction, you can pay the ticket at any of the three District Court locations during hours of operation. Bring the ticket and the appropriate amount of money to the clerk’s window to make payment. You could also mail in the infraction after indicating you wish to admit responsibility along with the proper payment.

   District Court accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, VISA or Mastercard. Make all checks and money orders payable to Kalamazoo County District Court. Please include the ticket number on your check or money order.
   

4. I received a traffic ticket and would like to contest it. What do I need to do?
   

   If you believe that you did not commit the violation, mark the appropriate box on the back of the ticket for a contested hearing. Upon your request, the Court will provide you with instructions on how to request that the officer or other witnesses be present. To receive a hearing date, you must either appear in person, call or mail your copy of the ticket to the District Court. The court will mail you a notice with a hearing date, so make sure the Court has your updated address.

5. A warrant has been issued for my arrest. What should I do to take care of it?
   

   If a warrant has been issued for your arrest (whether it is a new charge or a bench warrant), you must appear at the District Court’s North Location for all City of Kalamazoo or north county offenses. You should appear at the South Location for all City of Portage or south county offenses. You may be taken into custody when you appear. You will then be arraigned on the warrant in front of a District Court Judge or magistrate.

6. How do I file a small claim matter?
   

   You must file the small claims lawsuit in the county where the defendant resides or conducts business.

   A small claims case may be filed for the recovery of money only. The most you can sue for is $3000. This money must be owed to you. You must be 18 years old to file a claim. Cases are accepted at the Crosstown Location for City of Kalamazoo and north county claims and at the South Location for City of Portage and south county claims.

   To file a small claim you must complete forms that are available at the Court office. You will need the following information:

   1. The name and address of the person you are suing. If you are suing a company, you need the name and address of the owner of the company. If you are suing a corporation, you need the name and address of the corporation.
   2. You need the exact amount of money owed to you.
   3. You must know the date the money became due.
   4. You must explain why the money is owed to you.

   If the Court rules in your favor and a judgment is entered, the court does not collect the money for you. After you receive a judgment you may wish to contact an attorney or a collection agency for assistance.

   ** You should be mindful that Court staff cannot give out legal advice to you.

   
   

Glossary

Arraignment: A hearing, usually the first appearance, in which a person accused of committing a crime is told of the charge and asked to plead guilty or not guilty. If a not guilty plea is entered, the court will set bond amount and conditions.

Bond: Money or other security given to the court to allow a person’s release from jail and to assure their appearance in court at a hearing. Sometimes referred to as bail, the accused may forfeit money posted by not appearing for the hearing or violating the conditions set forth by the court.

Civil Case: An action to protect private rights, whether for personal injury, damage to property or contract disputes. District Court hears civil cases where the amount in controversy is not greater than $25,000. Civil cases must be filed with the Court prior to service on the defendant.

Civil Infraction: A violation of law not punishable by imprisonment but punished with a fine/costs. Speeding, failure to yield, defective equipment and no seat belt are examples of civil infractions. Oftentimes, these will result in points that could affect your driving privileges.

Criminal Case: An action where an individual is accused of committing a crime. The prosecutor for the State of Michigan or for a local jurisdiction commences the action. District Court hears criminal cases involving misdemeanors and performs arraignments and preliminary hearings on felonies.

Crime Victim’s Right Fee: Certain criminal offenses warrant the imposition of a state $50 fee for the crime victim’s fund when a conviction is entered.

Driver’s License Reinstatement Fee: The failure to appear in court or pay the amount owed on a traffic violation (criminal or civil), results in the Secretary of State suspension of driving privileges. In order to be eligible for driving privileges, this $45 fee must be paid to the Court for each offense.

K-PEP: The Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program. A probation supervision environment that stresses treatment.

No Contest (Nolo Contendere): A defendant neither admits nor denies the criminal allegation(s) made, but permits the Court to find from other evidence that he/she has committed a crime(s). At sentencing, the Court will treat one who has pled no contest the same as if he/she had pled guilty.

Preliminary Examination: An evidentiary hearing on a felony where the prosecutor must prove probable cause that the charged crime has been committed. Upon this finding, the District Court transfers the case to the Circuit Court for further proceedings.

Show Cause Hearing: A hearing in front of a judge/magistrate or a collections officer to determine whether an individual should be held in contempt for not obeying a court order to pay, appear or otherwise perform.

Subpoena: A notice to a witness that they must appear in court to present testimony in an action.

Summons: A notice to a defendant that he or she has been sued or charged with a crime and is required to appear in court. A criminal defendant who fails to appear in court will have a warrant issued for his/her arrest.

Warrant: A warrant of arrest may be issued for failure to appear at a hearing or failure to comply with court ordered requirements. You must appear in person to address the warrant.

Sec. 7411 Status: One charged with a violation of the controlled substances act may be eligible for deferral of the proceedings.

Sec. 769.4a: One charged with a Domestic Assault crime may be eligible for deferral of the proceedings.

Minor in Possession (MIP) Diversion: Public Act 63 of the Michigan Liquor Control Code allows a person to have a one-time MIP deferment if placed on probation.

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