On March 23, 2010, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order directing Michigan residents to “stay home, stay safe,” and further restricting nonessential businesses and travel starting at midnight, March 24, 2020 and for at least the next three weeks. Please be aware that, under this order, the Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-2 remains in effect. As described in AO 2020-2, trial courts must continue to operate to provide essential functions. To lower risk to litigants, court staff, and the public, while also providing essential functions, the 33rd District Court implements the following temporary procedures:
Court Hours
Effective March 30, 2020, the 33rd District Court will be closed to the public. Only court staff will be permitted entry into the 33rd District Court. Individuals with general questions may contact the Court by telephone Monday through Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. or by clicking “Contact – Email Us” on the Court’s website (33court.com). All other situations will be handled as follows:
Payments
In person payments will not be accepted. Payments can be made by phone (855-506-4600), online (33court.com or e.courts.michigan.gov), or through the mail – by check, cashier’s check, or money order. Please call the Court if you need an extension to your due date.
Criminal Matters
-The Court will conduct essential court services related to cases involving in-custody defendants and any other actions deemed essential by a Judge. The Court will make every attempt to conduct these essential matters remotely using video conferencing technology.
– Criminal jury trials will be adjourned until May 15, 2020, or later. If the defendant is in custody, and a jury is not yet scheduled, the presiding Judge may schedule at their discretion.
-Criminal pre-trials and traffic misdemeanor pre-trials will be scheduled on or after May 4, 2020, or later. If the Defendant is in custody, the pre-trial date should be scheduled to take place earlier than May 4, 2020, on a date set by the assigned Judge. The pre-trial shall be conducted remotely using video conferencing technology.
-In custody arraignments shall be conducted via Polycom.
-In custody felony cases will proceed as scheduled. If possible, the proceeding shall take place remotely using video conferencing technology. Out of custody felony matters will be adjourned to May 4, 2020, or later.
Probation Matters
-All probation visits shall be accomplished through non-reporting forms, reporting by phone, reporting by email, or reporting remotely using video conferencing technology until May 15, 2020, or later. This shall include Sobriety Court candidates and participants.
-All probationers shall continue required drug and alcohol testing.
-Community Service deadlines are extended until May 29, 2020, if the date of scheduled completion is before May 29, 2020.
-The Court Work Program shall be suspended until May 2, 2020, or later.
-Sobriety Court team meetings shall be canceled until May 4, 2020, or later.
-Sobriety Court review hearings shall be conducted remotely using video conferencing technology or canceled until May 4, 2020, or later.
Sobriety Court Graduation, scheduled for March 18, 2020, is canceled.
Civil Infraction Hearings
Informal hearings, pre-formal hearings, and department representative hearings will be scheduled on May 4, 2020, or later. Such hearings currently scheduled will be adjourned to May 4, 2020, or later. Hearing requests can be made by phone (734-671-0201) or by clicking “Contact – Request a Hearing” on the Court’s website (33court.com).
Civil Matters
-In-person filings will not be accepted. Filings shall be made by mail, fax (734-671-0307), email (admin@d33.courts.mi.gov), or uploaded through the Court’s website (33court.com – File Upload). Filings that require the payment of a filing fee will not be accepted via fax or email unless that fee is paid in advance. Landlord-Tenant filings must include a Verification of Compliance with CARES Act, DC 504 ( https://courts.michigan.gov/News-Events/Documents/dc504.pdf).
-Civil jury trials will be adjourned until May 15, 2020, or later.
-Civil pre-trials will be adjourned until May 4, 2020. Upon the mutual agreement of the parties and the Judge, civil pre-trials may be conducted by telephone or using video conferencing technology. The assigned Judge may require appearance of the parties but, if that is the case, the pre-trial will be adjourned to May 4, 2020, or later, if possible. Pre-trials which have not yet been scheduled will be scheduled to take place on or after May 4, 2020.
-Small claims matters will be adjourned until May 4, 2020, or later.
-Landlord-Tenant cases with hearing dates after March 17, 2020, shall be adjourned to a date no earlier than April 13, 2020. Starting April 13, 2020, the Court will schedule no more than five cases every half hour.
Pursuant to Executive Order 2020-54, there shall be no execution of writs for eviction until May 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
Vulnerable Persons
Upon request, hearings involving vulnerable persons shall be adjourned to a date determined by the presiding Judge.
Law Day2020
Law Day, scheduled for May 1, 2020, is canceled.
The 33rd District Court is closely monitoring developments and will comply with advice from state and county health departments. These procedures will remain in effect until further notice.
The Court may modify dates herein as deemed
appropriate.
