Mission Statement
-
- To serve the public and foster a friendly accessible environment, treating all individuals with dignity, respect, honesty and fairness;
- To operate with a pro-active, innovative and progressive approach to program development and implementation, remaining open to suggestions for improvement;
- To respect the interests of the taxpayers by continuously seeking greater efficiencies for improved service in coordination with elected officials and other units of government;
- To provide the least restrictive alternative for offenders consistent with public safety while seeking to maximize restorative justice.
With this vision in mind, the 22nd District Court is ready to operate efficiently and assist litigants, attorneys and the community as a whole.
Overview
The 22nd District Court has one judge with exclusive jurisdiction over the following matters:
- Civil cases where the amount in dispute is less than $25,000;
- Misdemeanor cases where the penalty does not exceed a fine of $1,000 and/or one year in jail. This includes such offenses as assault, driving while license suspended, drunk driving and domestic violence;
Felony arraignments and preliminary examinations and setting bail in cases where punishment exceeds one year in jail; - Landlord/tenant disputes (non-payment of rent or eviction cases) and land contract or mortgage forfeitures where damages claimed are less than $25,000.
- Small claims disputes where claims do not exceed $5,000.
- All parking and moving traffic violations occurring in the City of Inkster.
In addition to fines and/or jail terms, the judge frequently sentences those convicted to probation. Conditions of probation may include obtaining a high school diploma, community service, or counseling. The court also provides in-house counsel for defendants unable to retain an attorney. The court does not have jurisdiction over cases involving divorce, child custody, estates or persons who are mentally ill.
Courts assign priority to matters involving Defendants who are in custody. Similarly criminal cases take precedence over civil matters. The Court may interrupt or delay scheduled proceedings to conduct in-custody arraignments, and address other urgent matters as necessary:
- While the Prosecutor/City Attorney prepares criminal files for hearing, the Judge signs warrants, judgments, writs and orders in chambers. Currently, there are thousands of cases in warrant status.
- On Tuesdays and Thursdays the afternoon docket may start late when, in the judges discretion, it is expedient to extend the morning docket to complete a trial or conclude the testimony of a witness.
- This may be done to avoid requiring morning litigants to return after lunch resulting in a double inconvenience to them as well as a delay to afternoon litigants.
Payment Methods
The Court has contracted with Official Payments Corporation to enable citizens to pay uncontested civil traffic tickets by phone 24 hours per day 7 days a week using credit/debit cards. Call (888) 604-7888 and enter code 5025 for further information. The Court also accepts direct credit card payments and there is a drop box at the front entrance.
Payment in person is accepted in the form of cash, check, money order, or credit card.
Court Hours & Locations
The 22nd District Court is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30am until 4:30pm. The Court is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, and Holidays. The Court is located at 26279 Michigan Avenue, Inkster, Michigan 48141 Road.