MI SB0932

District court magistrates may hear civil infraction admissions, motions to set aside defaults, and informal hearings, with authority to administer oaths, examine witnesses, and impose civil sanctions if responsibility is determined.

Magistrates conducting informal hearings on traffic or parking violations must complete special training in traffic law adjudication provided by the state court administrator.

Magistrates may accept guilty pleas and impose sentences for misdemeanors or ordinance violations punishable only by fines and not by imprisonment, subject to chief judge authorization.

Magistrates may conduct first appearances in criminal cases, accept written waivers of preliminary examination and jury trial, and approve public defender appointments for indigent defendants, when authorized by the chief judge.

Magistrates have judicial immunity to the extent afforded district court judges for acts expressly authorized by the chief judge and by law.