63rd District Court

63rd District Court

1950 East Beltline NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: (616) 632-7770
Map

Mission Statement

The 63rd District Court is committed to providing the public fair and efficient judicial service in an atmosphere of respect to all persons, and in cooperation with the funding unit.

Overview

The District Court is a trial court of limited jurisdiction. The 63rd District Court is one of seven District Courts in the County.

The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over the following types of cases:

  • Civil suits involving $25,000 or less
  • Adult criminal misdemeanor offenses punishable by up to one year’s imprisonment
  • Civil infractions
  • Traffic violations
  • Landlord/tenant disputes
  • Small claims (involving $3,000 or less)
  • Land contract forfeitures

In addition to its jurisdiction to try adult criminal offenses punishable by up to one year’s imprisonment, the district court is the court in which all other adult criminal proceedings begin, regardless of the nature of the offense. In carrying out this function, the district court has jurisdiction to issue arrest and search warrants, set bail and accept bond, conduct misdemeanor and felony arraignments, preside over preliminary examinations for felony and misdemeanor offenses outside its trial jurisdiction, and perform civil marriage ceremonies.

Strategic Goals

  • Continue to improve case processing; align staff and resources to focus on expediency
  • Maximize collection of fines and fees (and restitution)
  • Maximize effectiveness of existing • staff and reduce staff growth.

Operational Goals

  • Administer the law in compliance with state statutes and court rules
  • Provide timely caseflow management (due process) of all cases filed with the court
  • Provide a quality of services to all litigants and defendants

2009 Adopted Uses: $2,854,592

2009 Adopted Revenues: $2,609,548

Selected Performance Measures

Performance Measure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Expected
Percent of misdemeanors adjudicated within 6 months from arraignment date
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
Percent bonds of misdemeanor arrests set within 24 hours from time of incarceration
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
Percent of preliminary exams held within 14 days of arraignment
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
Percent of abstracts (point assessments of driving records) forwarded to the Secretary of State
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
Percent of general civil cases served within 91 days of filing
98.00%
97.00%
98.00%
100.00%
Total filings per Civil Clerk (5 FTE)
2,254
2,582
2,873
2,800
Probation caseload per Probation Officer (4 FTE)
479
443
454
375

Department History of Uses

Uses
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Adopted
2009
Adopted
Personnel
$1,992,106
$2,181,371
$2,285,101
$2,217,781
Commodities
99,088
101,770
83,950
88,176
Contractual
479,409
507,416
530,775
538,635
Capital Outlay
4,867
-
7,000
10,000
Total Uses
$2,575,468
$2,790,557
$2,906,826
$2,854,592
       
Personnel FTE
36 37 37 37

Significant Budget Issues

There are no significant issues to report.