Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the 61st District Court has six judges and one full-time, law trained magistrate. The Court hears cases which arise within the boundary of the City of Grand Rapids.
A district court has exclusive jurisdiction of all civil litigation up to $25,000. and handles garnishments, eviction proceedings, land contract and mortgage foreclosures, and other proceedings. In the criminal field, district court handles all misdemeanors where punishments do not exceed one year, including arraignment, setting and acceptance of bail, trial and sentencing; and conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases. Also, a small claims division is provided in district court for civil cases where the amount claimed is not more than $6,500. In these cases, litigants agree to waive their right to a jury, rules of evidence, representation by a lawyer, and the right to appeal from the district judge’s decision. If either party objects, the case will be heard by the general civil division of the district court.
- October 31, 2022: Opinion of the Court Following Preliminary Examination: State of Michigan v Christopher Schurr
- June 21, 2022: Courtroom Management Order: State of Michigan vs. Christopher Schurr
- June 22, 2021: Phase IV Announcement
- June 8, 2020: Chief Judge Michael J. Distel, acting pursuant Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 2020-14 , effective May 6, 2020 with approval of the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), has issued Local Administrative Order 2020 – 03 (Phase One Court Reopening Plan)
- April 24, 2020: Chief Judge Michael J. Distel orders that the 61st District Court shall suspend all operations beginning March 18, 2020 – May 15, 2020.
- April 9, 2020: Chief Judge Michael J. Distel orders that the 61st District Court shall suspend all operations beginning March 18, 2020 – May 1, 2020.
- March 23, 2020: Chief Judge Michael J. Distel orders that the 61st District Court shall suspend all operations beginning March 18, 2020 – April 12, 2020.
- March 18, 2020: Chief Judge Michael J. Distel orders that the 61st District Court shall suspend all operations beginning March 18-April 5, 2020.
- March 16, 2020: Chief Judge Michael J. Distel announced additional actions being taken by the 61st District Court to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- March 13, 2020: Chief Judge Michael J. Distel announced the following actions being taken by the 61st District Court to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
No employee or applicant for employment shall be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, marital status, disability, height, weight, sexual orientation or gender identity. The 61st District Court is committed to creating a racially, ethnically religiously and culturally diverse and fully inclusive workplace that strengthens our organization and enhances our ability to adapt to change.
If you have a complaint regarding the above statement, contact either your union steward or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at 1.800.669.4000 (1.800.669.6820 for TTY and Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers only; 1.844.234.5122 for ASL Video Phone for Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers only), or info@eeoc.gov. You can find additional information at eeoc.gov.
Resumption of Weddings
Wedding ceremonies will resume Friday August 13. Weddings at 61st District Court are for Grand Rapids city residents only and cost $10. You must submit verification of marriage counseling prior to scheduling your ceremony. Reservations are based on availability and weddings are only performed on Friday afternoons. Masks must be worn and there is a maximum capacity of ten people total allowed in the courtroom.
Victim Impact Panel Notice
In order to reduce the risk posed to the public, court staff, and other stakeholders, while protecting public safety and the legal rights of our citizens, the Court has determined that we cannot continue our Victim Impact Panel any time in the foreseeable future. We understand that ideally having someone in person and local is more impactful, but in looking at the changes that we would need to make currently in order to run these panels it would be impractical.
Click Here to Read the Full Notice
- You can now Dispute Traffic Tickets online!
- You can now Dispute Parking Tickets online also!
- Civil Cases ( < $25,000)
- Small Claims ( < $6,500)
- Landlord/Tenant
- Land Contract Forfeitures
- Misdemeanor Criminal
- Felony Criminal Arraignments & Preliminary Exams