Part A: Generally-Applicable Principles and Procedures
Part B: Procedures Specific to Misdemeanor Pleas
Part C: Procedures Specific to Felony Pleas
Introductory Note
Part A of this chapter contains discussion of procedures and law applicable to plea proceedings for offenses cognizable in both district court and circuit court. Part B discusses additional procedures specifically applicable to misdemeanor offenses cognizable in the district court. Part C discusses additional procedures specifically applicable to felony and misdemeanor offenses cognizable in the circuit court.
Effective May 20, 2014, and applicable to cases in which the defendant is arraigned in district or municipal court on or after January 1, 2015,1 2014 PA 123 and 2014 PA 124 amended several provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Revised Judicature Act related to preliminary examinations, probable cause conferences, and the jurisdiction and duties of district court judges and magistrates with respect to pretrial proceedings in felony cases. For a chart outlining the differences in procedures before and after January 1, 2015, as a result of statutory reforms concerning probable cause conferences, preliminary examinations, and felony pleas, see SCAO Memorandum, July 23, 2014. For additional information, see the SCAO’s Best Practices for Probable Cause Conferences and Preliminary Examinations.
See Chapter 2 for discussion of jurisdiction, including the jurisdiction of district court judges and magistrates. See the Michigan Judicial Institute’s Criminal Pretrial/Trial Quick Reference Materials web page for a table including information on the jurisdiction of district court judges and magistrates over preliminary matters in criminal proceedings, and checklists and flowcharts for proceedings involving misdemeanor and felony guilty and no contest pleas.