By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Many of the judges of the District Courts of Kent County, as well as other county leaders, gathered Jan. 11 at the 63rd District Court on East Beltline NE to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Michigan’s district court system.
Established in 1968, when Michigan created district courts and abolished justices of the peace and circuit court commissioners, district courts are seen as “the public’s court” where matters such as small claims, land contact issues and misdemeanor criminal offenses are handed, and where many people attend without an attorney.
At the event, 63rd District Court Chief Judge Sara J. Smolenski spoke at the event about her family’s long involvement with the court system. Her father, J. Robert Smolenski, was a judge for 17 years, beginning in 1968; her brother, Michael R. Smolenski, spent 25 years as a judge; Sara was elected in 1990.
“My brother took over when my dad retired in 1984 … in 1990, I was elected here and my brother was elected to Circuit (Court),” Judge Smolenski said. “So the entire 50 years, there has been a Smolenski on this bench.”
Judge William G. Kelly, of Kentwood’s 62-B court, and a local historian of the court system, also spoke at the event.
“Before it was non-lawyers who handled many of these types of cases,” Judge Kelly said. “When they created this district court (system) 50 years ago, they really did not know what was going to happen. They had a good idea, a very good idea. And I think the creators would be very proud of what they established as the district courts now.”
The local 62-B court, which is celebrating its 40th years of service, opened its doors in January 1979 on 44th Street where a Fields Fabric Décor store now sits, before moving into the Kentwood City Center. In 2002, it moved to its current home in the Kentwood Justice Center.
For short video of the ceremony, follow this link.
The establishment of district courts was June 17, 1968, and most courts began operation on Jan. 1, 1969.
The courts have exclusive jurisdiction over all civil claims for damages up to $25,000, small claims (damages up to $6,000), landlord-tenant disputes, land contract disputes, and civil infractions. The court may also conduct marriages in a civil ceremony.
Additionally, it handles a wide range of criminal proceedings, including most misdemeanors, for which the maximum possible penalty does not exceed one year in jail. Typical misdemeanor offenses include driving under the influence of intoxicants or on a suspended license, simple assault, shoplifting, and possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Lastly, district courts also conduct preliminary examinations in felony cases, after which, if the prosecutor provides sufficient proofs, the felony case is transferred to the circuit court for arraignment and trial.
Further historical information is available on the Michigan District Judges Association 50th Anniversary page.
