Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the 61st District Court has six judges and one full-time, law trained magistrate. The Court hears cases which arise within the boundary of the City of Grand Rapids.
A district court has exclusive jurisdiction of all civil litigation up to $25,000. and handles garnishments, eviction proceedings, land contract and mortgage foreclosures, and other proceedings. In the criminal field, district court handles all misdemeanors where punishments do not exceed one year, including arraignment, setting and acceptance of bail, trial and sentencing; and conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases. Also, a small claims division is provided in district court for civil cases where the amount claimed is not more than $6,500. In these cases, litigants agree to waive their right to a jury, rules of evidence, representation by a lawyer, and the right to appeal from the district judge’s decision. If either party objects, the case will be heard by the general civil division of the district court.
The District Court handles the following cases:
- Civil Cases ( < $25,000)
- Small Claims ( < $7,000)
- Landlord/Tenant
- Land Contract Forfeitures
- Misdemeanor Criminal
- Felony Criminal Arraignments & Preliminary Exams
Media Releases
- June 21, 2023: Order of the Court in Docket No. 2023-LT-001786 inviting amicus participation in the case to address whether 15 USC § 9058(c) preempts Michigan law and requires a landlord to serve a 30-day notice prior to filing a possession claim for the nonpayment of rent when the tenancy involves a federal housing subsidy program.
- October 31, 2022: Opinion of the Court Following Preliminary Examination: State of Michigan v Christopher Schurr
- June 21, 2022: Courtroom Management Order: State of Michigan vs. Christopher Schurr
Job Opportunities
Weddings
Weddings at 61st District Court are for Grand Rapids city residents only and cost $10. You must submit verification of marriage counseling prior to scheduling your ceremony. Reservations are based on availability and weddings are only performed on Friday afternoons.
Announcements
Important Changes to Landlord/Tenant Summons
Effective January 1, 2024, the 61st District Court will no longer send a copy of the Landlord/Tenant summons and complaint to the defendant through USPS as a courtesy. Instead, the court will only mail a second copy as per the recently added provision in MCR 4.201 (D). This provision allows the plaintiff to request the court to send a second set of the summons, complaint, and attachments to the defendant using the DC 536 form and paying the applicable filing fee of $13.
Victim Impact Panel Notice
In order to reduce the risk posed to the public, court staff, and other stakeholders, while protecting public safety and the legal rights of our citizens, the Court has determined that we cannot continue our Victim Impact Panel any time in the foreseeable future. We understand that ideally having someone in person and local is more impactful, but in looking at the changes that we would need to make currently in order to run these panels it would be impractical.
Click Here to Read the Full Notice
Online Services
- You can now Dispute Traffic Tickets online!
- You can now Dispute Parking Tickets online also!
No employee or applicant for employment shall be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, marital status, disability, height, weight, sexual orientation or gender identity. The 61st District Court is committed to creating a racially, ethnically religiously and culturally diverse and fully inclusive workplace that strengthens our organization and enhances our ability to adapt to change.
If you have a complaint regarding the above statement, contact either your union steward or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at 1.800.669.4000 (1.800.669.6820 for TTY and Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers only; 1.844.234.5122 for ASL Video Phone for Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers only), or info@eeoc.gov. You can find additional information at eeoc.gov.