Judge Stewart McDonald Quick-Links:
District Court now accepts credit
and debit card payments IN PERSON ONLY. On Line Payments are accepted for
fines/costs and bail. Please click the appropriate What We Do: The staff of 65B District Court is divided into four main areas and has jurisdiction over the following: Traffic Division: Misdemeanors, Civil Infractions, and Parking Citations. Informal Hearings are held before the Magistrate. Criminal Division: Arraignments and preliminary examinations for felonies (punishment exceeds one year imprisonment). Arraignments and both jury and non-jury trials for misdemeanors and traffic offences (one year or less imprisonment). State and Municipal Civil Infractions. Civil Infraction Formal Hearings are held before the District Court Judge. Issuance of Arrest and Search Warrants with probable cause. Civil: Small Claims (claims not exceeding $3000). General Civil (claims not exceeding $25,000). Landlord-Tenant disputes. Land Contract forfeitures. Probation: Conducts pre-sentence investigations. Performs alcohol assessment as part of pre-sentence investigations. Monitors and supervises defendants placed on probation.
The District Court Judge is elected by the people of Gratiot County to serve a six year term. A court recorder, who also serves as the judicial secretary, makes, maintains, and transcribes the court recordings of all court proceedings. A court administrator, under the direction of the district judge, oversees the day-to-day operation of the court. Several deputy clerks handle the caseload under the supervision of the court administrator. Magistrates, appointed by the district judge, assist with judicial duties and perform weddings during court hours. The probation officer and a secretary manage the caseload of the probation department.
The 65B District Court has jurisdiction over all of Gratiot County, Michigan, including it's 16 townships; the cities of Alma, Ithaca, and St. Louis; and the villages of Ashley, Breckenridge, and Perrinton. Hours
and Contact Information Visitors
with disabilities who need accommodations or
assistance may contact the court administrator in
advance to make arrangements.
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