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Grand Traverse Felonies: The Process of the 86th District Court

A felony label can make your stomach drop, especially if this is your first time dealing with the system. At True North Legal Group, we help good people when bad things happen in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. Most of our clients are first-time defendants facing the criminal justice system for the first time, and the early felony steps in the 86th District Court—probable-cause conference and preliminary examination—can feel mysterious until someone walks you through them. We’re a boutique, selective-docket practice focused only on the 86th District Court and the 13th Circuit Court, and we prepare every case as if it may go to trial. That trial-forward posture matters now, not later. 

This guide explains what those two hearings are (and aren’t), where they happen, how they fit the local map in Grand Traverse County, and how we keep first-time defendants steady through each step. We’ll cover the bigger process from arrest to trial, the practical stakes for your work and family, why preparation creates options, how we approach the early evidence picture, the questions to ask any lawyer here, and immediate next steps—without predictions or one-size-fits-all advice. 

Where Your Felony Case Happens

Most felony cases start in the 86th District Court in Traverse City. District Court handles arraignment, bond, the probable-cause conference (PCC), and—if needed—the preliminary examination. If the case continues past the prelim, it is bound over (transferred) to the 13th Circuit Court for the later stages: motion practice, felony plea proceedings, and, when necessary, a jury trial. That two-court structure is the backbone of felony procedure in Grand Traverse County (and when relevant, for cases originating in Leelanau County). 

Why this matters: the decisions you and your lawyer make at or before the prelim can shape how (and where) the case moves. Think of 86th District Court as the on-ramp where direction is set; 13th Circuit Court is the highway for cases that continue. 

Step-by-Step: The Local Felony Path to PCC and Prelim

1) Arrest or Charging Decision

Felony cases begin either with an on-scene arrest or after-the-fact charges. Early orientation is essential for first-time defendants: what paperwork to expect, what the first appearance looks like, and which court you’ll be in. 

2) Arraignment in the 86th District Court

At arraignment, the judge explains the charge, your rights, and typically records an initial “not guilty” plea so the case can move forward. Bond and bond conditions are set here. You’ll leave with dates for the felony track—usually a probable-cause conference, and, if needed, a preliminary examination. 

3) Bond and Bond Conditions

Bond is about release and rules while the case is pending: personal recognizance or money bond (cash, 10% deposit, or surety through a bondsman), and conditions like testing, no-contact orders, or travel limits. These apply regardless of how the felony track unfolds. 

4) Probable-Cause Conference (PCC)

The PCC is an early checkpoint in the 86th District Court. It’s a scheduling and evaluation meeting—not a trial—where the parties confirm the status of discovery, discuss whether a preliminary examination is needed, and consider any early resolution conversations that are appropriate to evaluate. Sometimes the PCC resolves simple issues; often it sets the stage for the prelim. 

5) Preliminary Examination (Prelim)

The prelim is a limited evidentiary hearing in the 86th District Court to decide whether there is probable cause to believe (a) a felony was committed and (b) you are the person who committed it. It is not a full trial on guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; the standard is lower, the scope is narrower, and the question is whether the case should move forward to the 13th Circuit Court. Possible outcomes include bind-over to Circuit, charge reduction, or—less commonly—dismissal at this stage. 

6) If the Case Is Bound Over to the 13th Circuit Court

Once in Circuit Court, a new schedule is set. Motion practice, plea discussions, and, if necessary, a jury trial live on the Circuit calendar. Your posture leaving prelim influences how those pieces unfold. 

The Probable-Cause Conference: What It Is and Isn’t

Purpose in plain terms. The PCC is a short staging conference, often used to confirm what evidence (reports, video, lab work) has been requested or produced, to identify what’s missing, and to discuss whether a preliminary examination will occur as scheduled. It’s not where a judge weighs credibility like a juror, and it’s not where the court decides guilt or imposes sentences. 

Why it matters for first-timers. A well-organized PCC prevents scramble at the preliminary exam. It’s also where you’ll first see how disciplined preparation helps: discovery requests tracked, key issues flagged, and a clear plan for what the prelim should actually cover. 

What you’ll hear. Expect simple status language: who’s requested what, whether video exists, whether a forensic report is pending, and whether the prelim should go forward on the scheduled date. If anyone mentions “resolving” the case at PCC, read that as evaluation, not pressure. We evaluate plea discussions; we don’t assume them. 

The Preliminary Examination in Grand Traverse County

Who’s in the room. A district judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, and sometimes a few witnesses—often a lead officer or case agent. There is no jury. This is a court test of probable cause, not the final decision on guilt. 

What the judge decides. Two questions: (1) Is there probable cause that a felony was committed? (2) Is there probable cause you committed it? If yes, the case is bound over to the 13th Circuit Court. If not, the judge can reduce or dismiss. Dismissals at prelim happen, but they’re not common; the standard is lower than at trial. 

What testimony looks like. The prosecutor may call a witness (or two) to outline the basic facts. Defense counsel can cross-examine, but the scope is narrower than at trial; it’s about testing whether there is enough to move forward, not proving or disproving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

How evidence fits. Reports matter, but video and audio (body-worn, in-car, 911) can give needed context—sequence, tone, proximity—that written narrative sometimes lacks. We emphasize organization, not theatrics: what exists, how it was obtained, and how it lines up with the limited purpose of the prelim. 

Possible outcomes.

  • Bind-over to 13th Circuit Court (most common if probable cause is found).
  • Charge reduction (depends on the facts and the record presented).
  • Dismissal (uncommon; tied to the probable cause standard, not guilt at trial).
    Again, none of these are predictions—they’re simply the available lanes.

Grand Traverse County vs. Leelanau County: Same Structure, Same Goals

Even if the events started in Leelanau County, the felony path still uses the District → Circuit structure: early stages in the 86th District Court, later stages in the 13th Circuit Court. What you need to know is consistent: orientation, discovery organization, and a steady approach that treats the PCC and prelim as purposeful checkpoints rather than make-or-break cliff edges. 

What’s at Stake for First-Time Defendants

For people with clean records, the label “felony” can overshadow everything else. We keep the whole picture in view:

  • Employment and background checks. Pending felonies can trigger HR questions. We stay organized so you’re not blindsided by avoidable deadlines or a missing document. 
  • Professional licenses. Teachers, nurses, CDL holders, real estate agents, and other licensed professionals may face reporting or review. We talk in general terms publicly; specifics belong in private conversations. 
  • Bond conditions during a moving calendar. If you have testing, no-contact, or travel limits, we help sequence the case so compliance stays realistic while PCC and prelim dates move forward. 
  • Reputation and community life. In a smaller community like Traverse City, steady and low-drama case management matters. We focus attention on evidence and process—not noise. 

We do not predict outcomes. We orient you to what’s in your control and keep the early steps from snowballing into bigger problems.

Why Trial-Readiness Matters at PCC and Prelim

We prepare every case as if it may go to trial. That isn’t bravado; it’s how we create leverage and clarity for first-time defendants. In our experience, local prosecutors often overcharge, and when cases move toward trial, the evidence can look very different than it did on paper. Being organized at PCC and prelim means we’re already tracking the proof, the gaps, and the questions a jury might later care about—without turning a prelim into something it isn’t. We are not a high-volume plea mill. 

Practically, trial-readiness here looks like: discovery cataloged, anticipated witnesses identified, issues flagged for later motions in 13th Circuit Court, and a file that could be handed to a jury six months from now without a mad dash. Preparation protects options. 

How TNLG Approaches the Early Felony Phase

Early orientation. Before the PCC, we explain what it is (and isn’t), what the prelim tests, and how the two-court path works. Clear expectations reduce guesswork and help you make calm decisions. 

Evidence review that compares paper and video. When video exists, we compare it with reports because tone, timing, and vantage point can shift understanding. That’s not a prediction—it’s disciplined review. 

Constitutional screening. We routinely screen stops, searches, seizures, and statements to see what legal issues might matter later. We don’t promise motions will succeed; we identify issues and schedule them when appropriate. 

Investigation and follow-up. If witnesses or third-party records could clarify events, we note those needs early so they are not afterthoughts at the Circuit stage. Publicly, we keep this general and protect the details for where they belong: the case file. 

Communication you can count on. After each court date, clients get a steady update: what we received, what’s pending, and what happens next. Predictable communication matters when you’re balancing bond conditions, work, and family. 

Common First-Time Questions About PCC and Prelim

Is the prelim a mini-trial?
No. A prelim tests probable cause, not guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. There’s no jury, and the scope is narrower than a trial. 

Can a case end at prelim?
It can, but it’s uncommon. Outcomes range from bind-over to charge reduction or dismissal based on probable cause—not a full merits decision. We avoid predictions and stay focused on preparation. 

Do I have to testify?
In general terms, defendants do not testify at a prelim. Decisions about any witness at a prelim are case-specific and belong in a private conversation, not a web page. Nothing here is legal advice. 

If the complainant won’t participate, is the case over?
Not automatically. The state controls charges, and probable cause can be based on various sources of evidence. The prelim standard is limited and different from trial. 

What if discovery isn’t complete by PCC?
Then PCC often functions exactly as intended: to identify what’s missing and set a plan. Courts use these checkpoints to prevent last-minute scrambles. 

If the case is bound over, what changes in the 13th Circuit Court?
You’ll get a new schedule, motion practice becomes more central, plea discussions are evaluated in light of the full record, and a jury trial is on that calendar if needed. It’s the next phase—not a reset. 

Questions to Ask Any Lawyer Here

  1. How many felony prelims have you handled in the 86th District Court, and how do you prepare a first-time defendant for that day? Listen for calm, step-by-step orientation, not hype. 
  2. What’s your process for comparing reports to any body-worn or in-car video before prelim? You want disciplined, trial-ready organization, not last-minute viewing. 
  3. How do you decide whether to proceed with a prelim or discuss alternatives at PCC? Evaluation, not assumption; preparation creates options. 
  4. If the case is bound over to the 13th Circuit Court, what changes in scheduling and motion practice? You should hear a clear explanation of the handoff and next steps. 
  5. How do you communicate after each court date so I always know what’s pending and what’s next?Predictable updates reduce avoidable stress. 
  6. What does “we prepare every case as if it may go to trial” mean for me before prelim? The answer should translate to organization, evidence tracking, and leverage—not promises. 

Immediate Next Steps

Keep everything in one place. Court notices, bond receipts, discovery cover sheets—build a single folder (digital or paper). Organization helps you and speeds the work. 

Treat bond conditions as live. Testing, no-contact, check-ins, and travel rules matter throughout PCC and prelim. Clarity now prevents side issues later. 

Be private about case details. First-time defendants often believe explaining themselves publicly will fix things; it rarely does. Save details for a private legal conversation and the evidence process. 

Expect a process, not a single moment. PCC and prelim set the path—District → Circuit—without deciding guilt. Steady movement is the goal. 

Bringing It All Together

Felony cases in Grand Traverse County (and, when applicable, Leelanau County) begin in the 86th District Court with the probable-cause conference and the preliminary examination. Those hearings aren’t mini-trials; they’re structured checkpoints that decide whether the case moves to the 13th Circuit Court. For first-time defendants, the best antidote to anxiety is orientation and preparation—knowing who will be in the room, what the judge is deciding, and how your choices fit a two-court system. We help good people who made a bad decision steady the ground under their feet. In our experience, local prosecutors often overcharge, and when cases move toward trial, the evidence can look very different than it does on paper. We are not a high-volume plea mill. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial because preparation creates options and keeps the focus on your future, not just the next date on the calendar. 

If you’re facing charges in the 86th District Court or 13th Circuit Court in Grand Traverse or Leelanau County, you can schedule a confidential strategy session using our online calendar at https://calendly.com/tnlg/30min or call (231) 800-8654. After scheduling, you will receive a calendar confirmation with details for the meeting.