Section 600.8512 - Civil infractions; authority of district court magistrate; special training course; limitation on authority.
REVISED JUDICATURE ACT OF 1961 (EXCERPT)
Act 236 of 1961
600.8512 Civil infractions; authority of district court magistrate; special training course; limitation on authority.
Sec. 8512.
(1) A district court magistrate may hear and preside over civil infraction admissions and admissions with explanation and conduct informal hearings in civil infraction actions pursuant to section 746 of the Michigan vehicle code, Act No. 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, being section 257.746 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, section 8719, or section 8819, as applicable. In exercising the authority conferred by this subsection, the magistrate may administer oaths, examine witnesses, and make findings of fact and conclusions of law. If the defendant is determined to be responsible for a civil infraction, the magistrate may impose the civil sanctions authorized by section 907 of Act No. 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, being section 257.907 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, section 8727, or section 8827, as applicable.
(2) A district court magistrate shall not conduct an informal hearing in a civil infraction action involving a traffic or parking violation governed by Act No. 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, being sections 257.1 to 257.923 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, until he or she has successfully completed a special training course in traffic law adjudication and sanctions. The course shall be given periodically by the state court administrator.
(3) A district court magistrate may exercise the authority conferred by this section only to the extent expressly authorized by the chief judge, presiding judge, or only judge of the district court district.
History: Add. 1978, Act 511, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 278, Eff. Jan. 1, 1985 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 12, Eff. May 1, 1994 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 54, Eff. Jan. 1, 1996