Felony Offenses

If you have been charged with a felony offense you will need to appear for arraignment on the charge. Persons who have been arrested and posted bond should report to the court with their copy of the bond and check in at the traffic counter on the 6th floor of Lansing City Hall. Persons with outstanding felony warrants need to report directly to the 3rd floor of the Lansing Police Department at 120 W. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan and check in at the jail.

Felony Arraignment

Felony arraignments may not be waived under any circumstances. You may enter a plea of not guilty or stand mute. At the arraignment the judge or magistrate will give you notice of your next appearance date, known as a "preliminary exam" and offer you the option of applying for a court appointed attorney or retaining your own counsel.

When do I appear for a Felony Arraignment?

Arraignments are held from 8:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. If a bond/bail was posted prior to arraignment you should appear at the court on the day and time listed on the bond/bail sheet that was given to you upon release from custody at a police agency.

What is a Preliminary Examination?

A preliminary examination is an evidentiary hearing conducted by a judge within 7 to 14 days of arraignment on a felony charge. Preliminary exams may not be adjourned by court staff. Adjournments of preliminary exams may only be granted by written stipulation between the prosecutor and defense and must be approved by the judge assigned to the case either on the day of the exam or prior to the exam date. Initial adjournments of exams must also be accompanied by a written waiver of the "14 day rule" and the assigned judge may require the adjournment request to be placed on the record in court if it is not accepted by written stipulation.

At the conclusion of the preliminary exam, if the assigned judge finds there is sufficient evidence that the crime occurred or the exam is waived, the case will be bound over for trial in the 30th Circuit Court located in Lansing, Michigan.

When do I apply for a Court Appointed Attorney?

Persons requesting a court appointed attorney on felony cases should fill out an application for attorney at the felony arraignment. All applications for court appointed attorneys should be submitted prior to the preliminary exam date. If a felony arraignment occurred on a weekend or holiday and you have posted bond without completing an attorney application, contact the Pretrial Services Division of the 30th Circuit Court at (517) 483-6439 or (517) 483-6440 Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm to obtain an application.

Retaining an Attorney

Persons declining court appointed counsel may retain an attorney at their own expense. Retained attorneys should file an appearance with the court prior to the preliminary exam or in court at the preliminary exam. Retained attorneys will not be sent notice of the preliminary exam time and should confer with their client for the appropriate court date and time.

Circuit Court Arraignment /Appearance Date

If there was sufficient evidence presented at a preliminary exam the district court judge will instruct the defendant of their appearance/arraignment date in the 30th Circuit Court. The initial circuit court appearance/arraignment date may be waived by presenting a written waiver to the district court judge at the conclusion of the preliminary exam. The case will then be set for a pre trail conference by the 30th Circuit Court and all documents, including bond, will be transferred to the circuit court.

Felony Plea in District Court

The 54-A District Court is currently participating with the 30th Circuit Court in a felony plea project. At the conclusion of a preliminary exam in 54-A District Court, the prosecutor may present the defense a plea offer for the case. If the plea offer is accepted by the defense, the district court judge assigned the case will conduct an arraignment on the circuit court plea offer and provide the defendant with an appearance/sentencing date in the 30th Circuit Court. The case will then be transferred to the 30th Circuit Court for sentencing and all subsequent proceedings.

Bonds / Bail

Bonds/bail posted with the court must be paid in cash, with a credit card or posted by a surety agent. If a credit card is used to post bond/bail, the cardholder must be present to sign the transaction slip.

All bonds/bail posted on felony charges bound over to 30th Circuit Court will be transferred to the 30th Circuit Court at the conclusion of the preliminary exam. If a felony case is dismissed or the bond reduced at preliminary exam, the bond will be returned to the defendant or the 3rd party depositor in accordance with the court's bond refund policy.