An OWI in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County: how the case moves

The short version

Arrests in the City of Ann Arbor go to the 15th District Court at the Justice Center on East Huron Street. Arrests in the townships and other cities go to one of the 14A courts (Pittsfield Township, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Saline) or the 14B court for Ypsilanti Township. Felony cases go to the Washtenaw County Trial Court.

Step by step

1. Arrest and booking. Ann Arbor Police make arrests in the city; the Washtenaw County Sheriff, township police, university police and the Michigan State Police cover the rest of the county.
2. Your license. The officer takes your plastic license and gives you a paper temporary license. If you refused the chemical test, you have 14 days to request a hearing with the Department of State (implied consent hearing guide).
3. Arraignment in district court. A first or second OWI is a misdemeanor heard in the district court for the place of arrest: the 15th District Court for the City of Ann Arbor, or one of the 14A or 14B courts for the townships and other cities.
4. Pretrial and resolution. Dismissal, a plea, or trial. The prosecutor must list any prior convictions on the complaint if it wants an enhanced sentence.
5. Felony cases. A third offense, or an OWI causing serious injury or death, is a felony; after the district court's preliminary steps it goes to the Washtenaw County Trial Court (22nd Circuit).
6. After a conviction. Sentencing, then license sanctions from the Department of State: a suspension, a restricted license, and an ignition interlock in some cases.

Which court

• 15th District Court (Ann Arbor Justice Center), 301 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 734-794-6750. Misdemeanor and traffic cases from the City of Ann Arbor, including University of Michigan Regents ordinance violations.
• 14A-1 District Court (Pittsfield Township), 4133 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, (734) 973-4545. Misdemeanor and traffic cases from Pittsfield Township.
• 14A-2 District Court (Ypsilanti), 415 W. Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Misdemeanor and traffic cases from the City of Ypsilanti (including Eastern Michigan University), Ann Arbor, Augusta, Salem and Superior townships, and the Village of Barton Hills. Call the number on your paperwork.
• 14A-3 District Court (Chelsea), 122 S. Main Street, Chelsea, MI 48118, (734) 475-8606. The City of Chelsea, the Village of Dexter, and Dexter, Lima, Lyndon, Northfield, Scio, Sylvan and Webster townships.
• 14A-4 District Court (Saline), 1000 N. Maple Road, Saline, MI 48176, (734) 429-2504. The cities of Saline and Milan, the Village of Manchester, and Bridgewater, Freedom, Lodi, Manchester, Saline, Sharon and York townships.
• 14B District Court (Ypsilanti Township), 7200 S. Huron River Drive, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, 734.483.2330. Ypsilanti Township cases.
• Washtenaw County Trial Court (22nd Circuit Court), 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Felony cases countywide, including a third OWI offense. Public hours for the civil/criminal division are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The first days after the arrest

Three deadlines and papers matter most in the first days:

• The refusal notice. If you refused the chemical test, the 14-day deadline to request a hearing runs from the officer's notice, not from your court date (14-day hearing guide).
• The temporary license. The paper license the officer gave you is what you drive on while the case is pending, if you are otherwise eligible. Keep it with you.
• The court date. It is on your citation or bond paperwork. Missing it can lead to a warrant.

Bond and release

After an OWI arrest, release conditions are set by the court, often by a magistrate. Conditions for an OWI case can include not drinking, testing, and not driving without a valid license. If a cash or surety bond is set, families sometimes use a bail bond agent; ask what the fee is and whether any of it is refundable before you sign. Bond agents serving Ann Arbor that ask to be listed appear under bail in the directory.

Prior convictions and the charge

Michigan's penalties rise with prior convictions, and a third OWI is a felony no matter how long ago the earlier ones were. If the prosecutor wants an enhanced sentence based on prior convictions, MCL 257.625(15) says it must list them on the complaint. A lawyer can check whether the priors listed are accurate and count. The ranges are in the penalties guide.

If you cannot afford a lawyer

You can ask the court to appoint a lawyer if you cannot afford one. In Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw County Public Defender handles appointed cases; the office's number is (734) 222-6970, and the 14A court tells defendants without a lawyer to call it as soon as possible with their case number.

After a conviction

A conviction usually means a court sentence (fine, possible jail, community service, probation, and often alcohol assessment or treatment) and then license sanctions from the Department of State. The license sanctions guide explains the suspension, restricted license, and revocation rules.

Getting your car back

If you were arrested while driving, the police usually have the car towed. Call the arresting agency first, since it can tell you which company has the car and whether a release is needed before the lot will give it back. Then call the tow company and ask for the total due, the payment methods it accepts, its hours, and what you must bring, usually photo ID, the registration, and proof of insurance. Storage fees often add up each day, so it pays to move quickly. If you cannot drive, someone else may be able to collect the car with your written permission; ask the tow company what it needs.

Preparing for the first court date

The first court date in a misdemeanor OWI is usually an arraignment or pretrial, not a trial. Before it:

• read the citation and bond papers again for the court name, date, time, and any conditions;
• check the court's website or call the clerk to confirm whether you must appear in person or by video;
• if you want appointed counsel, ask the court how to apply before the date;
• bring your paperwork and a pen, and arrive early to get through security; and
• follow every bond condition, such as no alcohol or testing. A violation can lead to a new warrant.

If you cannot make the date, call the court before it, not after. Missing a court date can lead to a bench warrant and a license action.

Contacts

Every office above, with its address and phone number from its official source, is on the local resources page. Call before you go; hours and procedures change.