This page is provided as a service for the citizens of Westland and out of town visitors, to provide news and information about the daily operations of the 18th District Ct. RE: Emergency Policy Regarding COVID-19
Updated August 17, 2020
Due to the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak and the declared State of Emergency, the 18th District Court has adopted the following emergency policy regarding c
ontinuation of services. This policy is subject to extension, revision, or cancellation at any point without advanced notice. The court will be open during normal posted hours. All cashiers will be open and available for in-person payments. This includes civil infractions, probation payments, payment plans and warrants. The court highly encourages the use of online-payments during this crisis. Payments can be made at www.18thdistrictcourt.com. The court will address walk-in warrants, in-custody arraignments, conditional bond violations, probation violations, domestic, assaultive, and conditional bond violations via Zoom. If you have an outstanding warrant, please email your name, address and phone number to [email protected]. A court appointed attorney will contact you within three business days of receipt of the email. Defense attorneys will be present to represent individuals as needed. Landlord–Tenant cases will be held via Zoom. All other general civil matters will be held via Zoom. All jury trials will be adjourned until the court enters Phase 3. . All civil infraction hearings will be held via Zoom. Probation appointments will be held via Zoom. Please contact your probation officer for additional information. Sobriety court programs will continue. All participants must contact their case manager for specific program adjustments. Visitors to the courthouse will be restricted to those individuals scheduled for a court date only. All visitors will be screened and temperature checked before entry. Masks must be worn at all times while in the courthouse. During this crisis, the courtrooms are closed to the general public. The main counters are open for payments, filings and motions only. Court hearings are held via Zoom and streamed live via YouTube. The public can still participate in court hearings by attending the hearing remotely. Hearings conducted by Judge McConnell can be viewed live on YouTube at his channel, Judge Mark McConnell, 18th District Court. Hearings conducted by Judge Cicirelli can be viewed live on YouTube at her channel, Judge Cicirelli 18th District Court. Hearings conducted by Magistrate Wiacek can be viewed live on YouTube at his channel, Magistrate David Wiacek 18th District Court. The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction of all civil litigation up to $25,000 and also handles garnishments, eviction proceedings, land contract forfeitures, and other proceedings. For criminal cases, the district court conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases and handles all misdemeanors where punishment does not exceed one year in jail including arraignment, sentence, and setting and acceptance of bail. Civil infractions are also handled in district court. A small claims division for certain civil claims is provided in the district court. Parties agree to waive their right to a jury, rules of evidence, representation by a lawyer, and the right to appeal the district judge’s decision. If either party objects, the case will be heard by the general civil division of the district court. District judges may appoint magistrates. The magistrates may set bail and accept bond in criminal matters; accept guilty pleas; sentence for traffic, motor carrier, and snowmobile violations and dog, game, and boat law violations; and issue arrest and search warrants. Attorney magistrates may hear small claims cases. Magistrates may, at the direction of the chief judge, perform other duties allowed by statute. District judges are also elected for six-year terms on non-partisan ballots, under the same requirements as circuit judges. The legislature sets their salaries.
