MI HB5155

Amends district court jurisdiction to clarify authority over probable cause conferences and preliminary examinations in felony cases and misdemeanor cases not cognizable by the district court under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Expands district court magistrate jurisdiction to arraign and sentence on guilty or nolo contendere pleas for specified violations including natural resources, motor carrier, dog law, liquor control, and penal code violations with maximum punishment not exceeding 90 days jail or a fine.

Authorizes district court magistrates to handle Michigan vehicle code violations (except sections 625 and 625m) and natural resources violations (except certain specified sections) up to 93 days imprisonment or a fine, when authorized by chief judge.

Allows district court magistrates to set bond and accept pleas for contempt violations or probation condition violations arising from cases they initially arraigned, without conducting violation hearings or sentencing.

Applies to defendants arraigned in district or municipal court on or after January 1, 2015, and is contingent on enactment of House Bill 5154.