45th District Court
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General Information
Staff Directory
Location
13600 Oak Park Blvd
Oak Park,
MI
48237
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Hours
Mondays through Fridays
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phones are answered until 4 p.m.

Traffic or Criminal

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Traffic or Criminal

The court handles:

  • Felony arraignments and preliminary exams
  • All misdemeanor cases
  • Traffic tickets and civil infractions
  • Ordinance violations

Felonies
District Courts conduct arraignments, pre‑exam conferences and preliminary examinations before cases move to Circuit Court. 

Misdemeanors
Defendants are arraigned, advised of their rights and scheduled for pretrial conferences or trials.

Bonds
If the judge sets a bond in your case, it may be paid in one of the following ways:

  • Cash
  • Credit card
  • A bondsperson or bonding agency

If your felony case is sent (“bound over”) to the 6th Circuit Court, your bond will be transferred there.
Your bond can also be used to pay any fines or costs you owe.

Refunds are usually mailed within seven days, unless other arrangements are made.
To check the status of a bond refund, call (248) 691‑7440 ext. 3.

Arraignments
An arraignment is the first court hearing in a criminal case.
At a misdemeanor arraignment:

  • The defendant is formally charged.
  • A date is scheduled for a pretrial conference with the prosecutor and defense attorney.
  • If the case is not resolved at pretrial, the court will schedule a trial before a judge.
  • The defendant is informed of their rights.
  • If the defendant is in custody, the judge will set a bond and conditions for release.

Scheduling
Arraignments are held:

  • Mondays through Fridays
  • 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Walk‑ins are welcome during these times, but schedules can change. Always call ahead to confirm availability.
For questions, call the Traffic/Criminal Department at (248) 691‑7440 ext. 3.

Traffic tickets:

You may:

  1. Admit responsibility and pay
  2. Admit responsibility with explanation
  3. Deny responsibility and request a hearing

Failure to appear may result in default judgments or additional fees.

Failure to appear for a hearing

If you do not appear for a scheduled hearing on a traffic ticket:

  • The court will enter a default judgment.
  • A notice of fines and costs will be mailed to the address on record.
  • If payment is not made within 30 days, additional fees will be added until the judgment is paid in full.
  • Unpaid tickets may be referred to the Collections Department.

Adjournments (rescheduling a hearing)

If you need to request a new hearing date:

  • Your request must be submitted in writing at least two business days before your hearing.
  • A stipulated order to adjourn (signed by both parties) may be required.

If the request is approved, the case will be rescheduled for the next available date on the assigned judge’s calendar, and you will receive notice by mail.
If the request is denied and you do not appear for the hearing:

  • A default judgment may be entered, or
  • The court may issue a bench warrant.

 Court-appointed attorneys

If you are charged with a criminal offense, you have the right to be represented by an attorney.
If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Court‑appointed attorneys are provided at arraignment.
Because civil infractions (including most traffic tickets) are not crimes, court‑appointed attorneys are not available for those cases.

Requesting court records

The 45th District Court can release only the public records that originate in this court.

  • All requests must be in writing.
  • Copies cost $1 per page.
  • The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) does not apply to courts.
  • The court does not provide criminal‑record checks.

For criminal background checks

Contact:
Michigan State Police – Central Records Bureau
 7150 Harris Drive
 Lansing, MI 48913
 (517) 322‑5531

For driving (traffic) records
Contact:
Michigan Department of State – Commercial Look‑Up Unit
 7064 Crowner Drive
 Lansing, MI 48918
 (517) 322‑1624