On this page you will find general answers to common questions asked by defendants in criminal cases. Nothing contained on this page is intended as legal advice nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between any person and this office. The information contained on this page is for reference purposes only and may not apply to your specific case. For specific answers to your questions you should contact an attorney.
I've been charged with a crime, what happens now?
All criminal cases in Michigan start in the District Court. If you have been charged with a crime in Michigan the first step is the arraignment. At the arraignment the defendant finds out the specific charges against him or her, has the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty, have a bond set, and have the next hearing scheduled. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor the next hearing will be a pre-trial conference eventually followed by a trial.
If you have been charged with a felony the first hearing after the arraignment is a pre-exam conference. A pre-exam conference is a meeting between the attorneys to discuss scheduling, discovery issues, and potential resolutions in the case. If the case continues past the pre-exam conference, the next hearing is a preliminary examination. A preliminary examination is a hearing where the prosecution must prove that there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed and that the defendant committed that crime. If the prosecution is able to meet this burden, then the case is bound over to the Circuit Court.
The first hearing in the circuit court is another arraignment. The Circuit Court arraignment is very similar to a District Court arraignment. In the vast majority of cases the Circuit Court arraignment is waived and the arraignment happens without the defendant present. The case is set for a pre-trial conference. If the case cannot be resolved at the first pre-trial conference it will normally be set for a second pre-trial conference and then scheduled for a trial.
How should I dress when I have a hearing?
When appearing before a judge it is important to dress appropriately. When going to court a person should wear business attire if he or she is able. The clothes you wear to court should be clean and in good repair without obvious rips or stains. Additionally, it is inadvisable to wear clothes that have rude slogans, foul language, or inappropriate images. It is best to dress in a conservative fashion that doesn't show unnecessary skin.