Traffic tickets are
processed by the traffic division of the District Court.
Defendants may either admit responsibility and pay the fine;
admit responsibility with an explanation in writing the
Magistrate or in person; or may deny responsibility and request
a hearing. The defendant may request an Informal Hearing
with the Magistrate where no attorneys are allowed, or a Formal
Hearing before the Judge where the prosecuting official will
represent the police officer and the defendant may also have an
attorney.If the defendant elects
to pay the ticket, payment must be made with either a check,
money order, cash or credit card (additional fee assessed for
payments using a credit card), within 28 days of the issuance
of the ticket unless the defendant requests an extension from
the Court.
Upon payment of the ticket, the
information regarding the traffic violation is reported to the
Secretary of State which then posts the ticket to the
defendant's driving record and assesses the points. A
driver in the State of Michigan can receive up to 12 points
within two years before having his driving privileges suspended
by the Secretary of State.
Admitting responsibility with an
explanation may be presented in writing to the Magistrate or in
person at an informal hearing. The Magistrate will enter
your plea of admit responsibility and may adjust the fine.
The Magistrate cannot waive or reduce points. Points are
assessed by the Secretary of State.
Civil Infraction Tickets