Sec. 8821.
(1) A formal hearing shall be conducted only by a judge of the district court or a municipal court.
(2) In a formal hearing, the defendant may be represented by an attorney, but is not entitled to counsel appointed at public expense.
(3) Notice of a formal hearing shall be given to the prosecuting attorney. The prosecuting attorney shall appear in court for a formal hearing and is responsible for the issuance of a subpoena to each witness for the plaintiff. The defendant may also subpoena witnesses. Witness fees need not be paid in advance to a witness. Witness fees for a witness on behalf of the plaintiff are payable by the district control unit of the district court for the place where the hearing occurs.
(4) There shall not be a jury trial in a formal hearing.
(5) If the judge determines by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is responsible for a state civil infraction, the judge shall enter an order against the defendant as provided in section 8827. Otherwise, a judgment shall be entered for the defendant, but the defendant is not entitled to costs of the action.
History: Add. 1995, Act 54, Eff. Jan. 1, 1996
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 600 - Revised Judicature Act of 1961
Act 236 of 1961 - Revised Judicature Act of 1961 (600.101 - 600.9948)
236-1961-88 - Chapter 88 State Civil Infractions (600.8801...600.8835)
Section 600.8801 - Applicability of Chapter; Definitions.
Section 600.8805 - Citation; Numbering; Parts; Modification; Complaint Treated as Under Oath.
Section 600.8807 - Issuance of Citation by Law Enforcement Officer.
Section 600.8809 - Citation; Contents.
Section 600.8811 - Civil Infraction; Citation; Necessity of Sworn Complaint.
Section 600.8813 - Citation; Materially False Statement Knowingly Made by Officer; Felony; Penalty.
Section 600.8815 - Citation; Response to Allegations.
Section 600.8819 - Informal Hearing.
Section 600.8821 - Formal Hearing.
Section 600.8825 - Acceptance of Fee by Law Enforcement Officer Prohibited.
Section 600.8829 - Default in Payment of Fines, Costs, Assessment, or Installment.
Section 600.8831 - Fines Ordered Under MCL 600.8827; Application to Libraries.