The Washtenaw County Trial Court brings together the courts for the 22nd Judicial Circuit and judicial districts 14A, 14B, and 15. Chief trial court judge: Archie Brown. Administrator: Daniel Dwyer. The Washtenaw County Courthouse is at 101 E. Huron, at N. Main (222–3270). courts.ewashtenaw.org

Civil and criminal cases. 222–3270. The Twenty-second Circuit Court hears civil cases involving claims of more than $25,000 and all felony cases. Circuit judges assigned full time to this division are Melinda Morris, David Swartz, and Donald Shelton. Judges Timothy Connors and Archie Brown are assigned part time. Criminal cases are assigned randomly among judges Brown, Morris, Shelton, and Swartz. The civil caseload is split among judges Connors, Morris, Shelton, and Swartz.

District division. In the Ann Arbor area, courts for judicial districts 14A and 15 handle criminal misdemeanors and felony preliminary exams and pleas, and hear civil cases that involve less than $25,000, including most landlord-tenant disputes. (District 14B is based in Ypsilanti.) The Fifteenth District Court’s traffic/criminal division (222–3380) and civil division (222–3389) cover the city of Ann Arbor; judges are Julie Creal, Elizabeth Pollard Hines, and chief judge Ann Mattson. 14A District Courts include other parts of the City Guide area; judges are Richard Conlin, Kirk Tabbey, and chief judge J. Cedric Simpson. Disputes of $3,000 or less are small claims, which are heard with no lawyers and no jury and cannot be appealed. There is a $500 maximum award for accident-caused damage to motor vehicles. Filing fee is $17, or $32 for claims of more than $600. The court charges a small additional amount to serve papers. Cases are heard approximately three to four weeks after filing. A magistrate usually presides. Traffic infractions (971–9261) are normally heard at the Division 14A-6 courthouse at the Washtenaw County Service Center, 4133 Washtenaw (entrance on Hogback). Nontraffic civil infractions and criminal cases originating in Pittsfield, Superior, and Ann Arbor townships and the village of Barton Hills are heard at Division 14A-1, also at 4133 Washtenaw; those originating in Freedom, Lima, Lodi, Northfield, Scio, and Webster townships are heard at Division 14A-3, 122 S. Main in Chelsea. www.15thdistrictcourt.org

Family division. 222–3001. Handles child custody, support, and visitation; personal protection orders; and cases involving estates, juvenile delinquency, neglect, abuse, and mental health. Also handles divorce cases (parties are required to attend a mediation education session), confirms adoptions, and hears requests for waivers from minors who want to have an abortion without parental consent. Judges include Nancy Francis and Darlene O’Brien, who are probate judges assigned to family court, and circuit judges Timothy Connors, Archie Brown, and Donald Shelton. Judge O’Brien hears cases involving estates and mental health. Judge Shelton is assigned to the juvenile caseload; those cases are heard at 2270 Platt (222–6900). Anyone may petition the court to issue a personal protection order to stop or restrain another person from harassing, beating, wounding, stalking, or assaulting. If you are in immediate danger, you may request an ex parte order, which may be signed without a hearing and without notifying the other party; otherwise, a hearing will be scheduled. Forms are available at court services, 101 E. Huron (222–3001). There is no fee to file a complaint, but the petitioner must pay the cost of serving the order on the restrained party.

Friend of the Court, 101 E. Huron, first floor. 222–3050; automated account information line, 994–9261 (have your case number ready). Case-specific questions can also be emailed to intake@ewashtenaw.org. The Friend of the Court helps the court and parents resolve disputes involving divorce, child custody, parenting time, and support. Mediation is available at no charge for child custody or visitation disputes. Areas of enforcement include court-ordered parenting time, child support judgments, and spousal support payments. Support enforcement proceedings may begin automatically if payments fall behind or upon request of the support recipient. Parenting time enforcement requires a written request.

Jury service. 222–3276. Fifteenth District Court jurors are chosen at random from a list of licensed drivers and state identification card holders in Washtenaw County. Service is for one week or one trial. Compensation for jury service is $12.50 for the first half day and $25 for the first full day. Each subsequent day pays $20 per half day and $40 per full day.

Marriages may be performed by probate judge Nancy Francis (222–3351) and by some district judges and magistrates. Online marriage license applications and a list of officiants are on the county’s website, www.ewashtenaw.org. Click on government, then clerk/register of deeds, then marriages.

FEDERAL COURTS

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Michigan. (313) 234–0051. Cases filed in Detroit; hearings for chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcies take place in the Federal Bldg., 200 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. Schedule depends on case filing. Bankruptcy trustees Basil Simon (313–962–6400) and Douglas Ellmann (668–4800) preside. www.mieb.uscourts.gov

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Federal Bldg., 200 E. Liberty. 741–2380. U.S. District Court hears civil and criminal cases involving federal law, and civil cases between citizens of different states alleging damages in amounts greater than $75,000. Judge John Corbett O’Meara and magistrate judge Steven Pepe hear cases. www.mied.uscourts.gov