Return to Court Home Page
WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT
(ATTORNEYS ONLY)
To waive arraignment for your client on a misdemeanor charge (except Domestic Assault and Driving while Intoxicated, 2nd offense), please submit your formal appearance and a written waiver of arraignment that complies with MCR 6.610(D)(4). The waiver must contain: 1) General nature of each count; 2) Maximum possible sentence for each count; 3) the rights of the defendant at arraignment; and 4) plea to be entered. This document must be signed by the Defendant and any defense attorney of record.
FAX FILINGS
Michigan Court Rule 2.406 was amended January 1, 2004 concerning fax filings with the court. This court will not accept any pleadings by fax. Any other documents may be accepted if specifically approved in advance by the Judge.
ARRAIGNMENTS
Walk-in arraignments are done at 8:30am and 1:00pm each day the court is open. Please appear promptly by 8:15am for morning arraignments, by 12:45pm for afternoon arraignments. If you appear at any other time, the magistrate will try to fit you into the schedule, but there will probably be a significant wait.
Beginning January 6, 2003, anyone in the custody of the county jail will be arraigned by an interactive video system. These arraignments will be conducted by the Magistrate, from his hearing room. Visitors and observers are always welcome to view these arraignments. These hearings are held at 8:30am for those arrested on existing warrants and those arrested and issued an appearance citation. All others will generally be arraigned anytime after 3:00pm each day the court is open. Any attorney desiring to be present for an in-custody arraignment should appear at the court building, not the jail.
Per Michigan Court Rule 1.110 (adopted October of 2001), all fines and costs are due and payable on the date of sentencing, unless the sentencing judge finds good cause to allow delayed payments.
Juries are selected the third Monday of each month. If you have been called for jury duty in our court, you must be in the court building by 12:30pm.
If you are scheduled for jury duty and cannot appear, you must have the permission of the court to be excused and/or have the dates changed. Call the jury clerk at (517) 676-8420 or send an email to the jury clerk's email address: dcjuryclerk@ingham.org. to make this request.
Questions about how the jury system works and the role of the jury during a trial can be answered by reading the Juror's Manual on this web site.
Criminal Department fines and costs may now be paid by personal check (if drawn on a local bank) or money order. CREDIT CARDS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED. Please confirm the correct amount due by calling the criminal clerks desk (517-676-8405) before making payment. (Quotes of fine/costs are good for the date you receive the quote only - late fees and other charges may be added if you delay payment beyond the date that you call).
Check/Money Order by Mail: Make your check payable to:
55th District Court
mail to:
55th District Court
Criminal Department
700 Buhl Ave.
Mason, Michigan 48854.