63rd District Court

63rd District Court

1950 East Beltline NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: (616) 632-7770
Fax: (616) 363-6124
Map

Holidays 2012

The 63rd District Court is closed on the following holidays:

New Years Day Monday, January 2
Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 16
Memorial Day Monday, May 28
Independence Day Wednesday, July 4
Labor Day Monday, September 3
Veteran's Day Monday, November 12
Thanksgiving Holiday Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23
Christmas Eve Holiday Monday, December 24
Christmas Day Holiday Tuesday, December 25

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

2011 Adopted Uses: $2,696,906

2011 Adopted Revenues: $3,157,210

Selected Performance Measures

Performance Measure
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Expected
Percent of misdemeanors adjudicated within 6 months from arraignment date
100.00%
98.00%
96.00%
98.00%
Percent of general civil cases adjudicated within 455 days
NA
NA
99.79%
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 within 10 days of disposition
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
Percent of Landlord Tenant / Summary Proceedings adjudicated within
154 days
NA
NA
98.90%
100.00%
Total civil cases processed (pending, new, & reopened) per Civil Clerk (6 FTE)
2,873
2,277
2,236
2,300
Total probationers under supervision per probation officer (4 FTE)
454
412
444
440

Department History of Uses

Uses
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Adopted
2011
Adopted
Personnel
$2,168,284
$2,266,748
$2,259,919
$2,277,924
Commodities
114,085
108,469
107,150
96,650
Contractual
539,345
481,760
443,648
310,932
Capital Outlay
22,864
(2,761)
11,500
11,400
Total Uses
$2,844,579
$2,854,216
$2,822,217
$2,696,906
       
Personnel FTE
37 37 34.5 34.5

Significant Budget Issues

There are no significant budget issues to report.

Significant Accomplishments

Consolidated physical move of 2 courthouses into one building.

Consolidated staff on policy and procedures.

Implementated new Collection Procedures to facilitate higher collection rates for revenues.