Ingham County Criminal Court

Ingham County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Ingham County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Ingham County.

Who is the prosecutor for Ingham County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Ingham County criminal cases will either be a representative of Ingham County or a representative from Michigan. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.

Jury by Trial Right

The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.

Ingham County Criminal Court

Ingham County Criminal Court

If guilty, who sentences the defendant?

If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.

Plea Agreements

A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Ingham County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.

Burden of Proof

The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.

I need help for my Ingham County criminal case

The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Ingham County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Ingham County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.

Right to an attorney

The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Ingham County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

Where will Ingham County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Ingham County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Ingham County.

Jury Deliberations in Ingham County

In Ingham County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.

Required Court Appearances in Ingham County

Any required court appearances in Ingham County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.

Ingham County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Ingham County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Ingham County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Ingham County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.

Can I appeal a guilty verdict?

If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.

Ingham County Criminal Court Locations

  • 30th Circuit Court – Ingham

    Address: 341 S Jefferson St, Mason MI 48854
    Phone: 517-483-6500

  • 30th Circuit Court – Ingham

    Address: 313 W Kalamazoo St, PO Box 40771, Lansing MI 48901
    Phone: 517-483-6500

  • 54A District Court – Lansing

    Address: 124 W Michigan Ave, Lansing MI 48933
    Phone: 517-483-4433 Fax: 517-483-4108

  • 54B District Court – East Lansing

    Address: 101 Linden St, East Lansing MI 48823
    Phone: 517-351-7000 Fax: 517-351-3371

  • 55th District Court – Ingham County

    Address: 700 Buhl St, Mason MI 48854
    Phone: 517-676-8400

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