How Michigan OWI courts are organised
A OWI charge in Michigan is prosecuted in the District Court that serves the county or municipality where the stop happened, not where you live. The clerk's office in that courthouse controls your hearing dates, accepts motions and continuances, and takes payment of fines and court costs. Calendars, filing hours and remote-appearance rules differ from courthouse to courthouse, so confirm them with the clerk before your first date.
Misdemeanor OWI is heard in the Michigan District Court, while felony OWI — a third offense, or one causing injury or death — is heard in Circuit Court. Appeals from District Court go to the Circuit Court, then to the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court.
The state judiciary publishes the authoritative directory of courthouses, judges and calendars at courts.michigan.gov. Use it to confirm the address and division for your case number; local listings age quickly.
Courthouse locations, hearing calendars, clerk contacts and self-help forms.
The separate licence action, which the criminal court does not decide.
What happens at each stage in Michigan
A OWI case in Michigan is heard in the District Court, and it runs on two tracks at once: the criminal case and a separate licence action you must challenge within 14 days of arrest.
- 1Arrest, booking and the chemical test — Officers arrest for OWI under MCL 257.625 and request a breath, blood or urine test under Michigan's implied-consent section, MCL 257.625c. Refusing carries its own licence penalty, separate from the criminal charge.
- 2Licence action — request a hearing within 14 days — Michigan Department of State opens a licence action as soon as the arrest is reported. You have 14 days from arrest to demand the administrative hearing with Michigan Department of State; miss it and the suspension takes effect automatically, whatever happens in court.
- 3Arraignment in the District Court — The charge is read, a plea is entered and conditions of release are set in the District Court. Misdemeanor OWI is heard in the Michigan District Court, while felony OWI — a third offense, or one causing injury or death — is heard in Circuit Court.
- 4Pretrial motions and discovery — Defence counsel obtains the police report, test records and calibration or maintenance logs, and may move to suppress the stop or the test result. Michigan courts file through MiFILE for participating case types.
- 5Plea or trial, then sentencing — A first OWI conviction carries a fine of $100–$500, jail exposure up to 93 days, a licence suspension of 6 months. Prior offenses within 7 years push the case into the enhanced-penalty range. A first offense can carry up to 93 days jail plus costs, probation, and a suspension.
- 6Reinstatement — Reinstatement fees are paid online, by mail or at a Secretary of State office. Michigan requires a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for 3 years before the licence is restored.
Filing and case handling in Michigan
- Michigan courts file through MiFILE for participating case types.
- District Courts are courts of record.
- The core offense is MCL 257.625, operating while intoxicated.
- Sobriety courts operate as a specialty docket for repeat OWI offenders.
Whatever the local practice, take your citation or case number to every call — clerks index by case, not by name — and get the payable amount for fines and court costs in writing before you pay.
Michigan ZIP codes covered
These Michigan ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Michigan resources
Counties
Other Michigan official resources
Frequently asked questions
- Which court handles a first OWI charge in Michigan?
- First-offense OWI cases in Michigan are heard in the District Court for the county where the stop happened. The court clerk's office there sets the arraignment date and accepts filings.
- Does the court case decide whether I keep my licence in Michigan?
- No. The criminal case and the administrative licence action run separately. The licence action is handled by the MI driver-licensing agency, and the request for a hearing is due within 14 days of arrest.