Judge Shepherd was elected as the President of the Macomb County District Judges Association for 2005. Judge Shepherd is currently a member of the Macomb County Bar Association, Michigan Bar Association, Michigan District Court Judges Association, Italian-American Bar Association, King of Kings Lutheran Church of Shelby Township, Shelby Township Lions Club and the Italian-American Cultural Society. Prior to his election to the District Court bench, Judge Shepherd practiced law for nearly 20 years in Sterling Heights. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1977 from Oakland University and graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1981. If so, the case is transferred to the circuit court for trial.Įlected in November 2000 as Judge of the 41A District Court covering the townships of Shelby and Macomb and the cities of Utica and Sterling Heights, Judge Shepherd is assigned to the Shelby Township division of the court. In felony cases (cases that are punishable by more than one year in prison) the district court will set the bail amount and hold a preliminary examination to determine if a crime was committed and if there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime. If the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor that is punishable by not more than one year in jail, the district court will conduct a trial and sentence the defendant if found guilty. The court also determines the bail amount and collects bail. The district court explains to the defendant the charges, his or her rights, and the possible consequences if convicted of the charge. Civil disputes seeking money damages cannot exceed $25,000 in district court.Īll criminal cases, for persons 17 years or older, are started in the district court. The district court also hears both criminal and civil cases including small claims and landlord-tenant disputes. The district court handles most traffic violations. The court that most people have contact with is the district court. There are approximately 100 district courts in Michigan.
In 1968 the Legislature in Lansing established District Courts in Michigan to help relieve the overcrowded State Circuit Court.
0 kommentar(er)
