Inside the 86th District Court: How Grand Traverse Criminal Cases Work

When you’re arrested or charged in Grand Traverse County, the 86th District Court in Traverse City is where your case begins—and for misdemeanors, where it ends. If this is your first experience with the criminal justice system, the unfamiliar terms and fast pace can feel overwhelming. 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. Our goal in this guide is to make the process predictable, stage by stage, so you understand what will happen, who you’ll see in court, and the decisions that typically come up in this court.

We’re a boutique, selective-docket defense practice based in Traverse City, focused solely on the 86th District Court and the 13th Circuit Court serving Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial—not because every case will, but because trial-readiness creates leverage and protects your options as the case moves forward. We are not a high-volume plea mill.

Where Your Case Actually Happens in Grand Traverse

Most criminal matters in Grand Traverse County start in the 86th District Court in Traverse City. That court handles all misdemeanors through final resolution and the early stages of felony cases: arraignment, bond decisions, probable-cause conferences, and preliminary examinations. Felonies that proceed beyond those stages are transferred—or “bound over”—to the 13th Circuit Court, which handles felony motion practice, plea proceedings, any jury trial, and sentencing. Think of District Court as the on-ramp where every case begins, and Circuit Court as the highway for felonies that keep moving forward.

This article emphasizes Grand Traverse County practice in the 86th District Court and walks through each step so first-time defendants know what to expect.

Who’s Who in the 86th District Court (Traverse City)

You will encounter two types of judicial officers:

Judges: They preside over hearings and trials, accept pleas, and impose sentences.
Magistrates: In many first appearances, a magistrate conducts the arraignment, advises you of your rights, takes an initial plea (often “not guilty”), and sets bond and bond conditions. Magistrates do not decide guilt at arraignment; their job is orientation and release conditions.

You may also see prosecutors or their representatives, defense counsel (retained or court-appointed), and court staff who manage the docket and paperwork. The courtroom is formal, but your early hearings are typically brief and procedural. The purpose is to get you oriented, set conditions for your release, and place the case on a schedule—not to decide the facts that day.

The Step-by-Step Misdemeanor Process in the 86th District Court

Below is the general sequence for misdemeanor cases in Grand Traverse County. It’s designed for orientation; it does not predict timelines or outcomes.

1) Arrest or Charging Decision

A case starts with an arrest or with after-the-fact charging (for example, a citation or complaint with a notice to appear). First-time defendants are often surprised that even seemingly “small” incidents proceed formally through the court system.

2) Arraignment (86th District Court, Traverse City)

At arraignment, the court explains the charge, your rights, and maximum possible penalties; you enter an initial plea (commonly “not guilty” or standing mute), and the judge or magistrate addresses bond. This hearing moves quickly and can feel unfamiliar; its function is to start the case, not decide it.

Bond and bond conditions are about release while your case is pending. Bond may be personal recognizance (no money) or may include a financial component. Conditions can include appearing for all dates, no alcohol or drug use verified by testing, no contact orders, travel limits, or check-ins. These are examples, not predictions; the court’s decision is case-specific.

3) Pre-Trial Conferences (Misdemeanors)

After arraignment, the court sets one or more pre-trial conferences. These are structured status dates where the prosecution and defense exchange discovery (reports, videos, test results), identify issues, and discuss plea options. A pre-trial is not a mini-trial; it’s about information, negotiation posture, and whether motions are appropriate.

4) Motions (As Needed)

When appropriate, the defense may file motions asking the court to exclude certain evidence or resolve legal questions before trial—such as a motion to suppress statements or evidence from a stop or search. Whether a motion is filed depends on facts and law; no responsible lawyer can promise a result here.

5) Trial (If the Case Proceeds)

A jury trial decides whether the prosecution has proven the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial because evidence can look different under cross-examination than it does on paper. Preparation creates options; it is not a promise that every case will—or should—go to trial.

6) Sentencing (If There Is a Conviction or Plea)

If a case ends in a plea or verdict, the judge schedules sentencing. Terms vary widely; we do not predict outcomes. Sentencing is its own stage and deserves careful preparation focused on the person, not just the paperwork.

Felony Stages That Still Happen in the 86th District Court (Before Circuit Court)

Even when a case is charged as a felony, the early steps occur in the 86th District Court in Grand Traverse County:

Probable-Cause Conference: An early checkpoint to review discovery and discuss whether to proceed to a preliminary examination. It does not decide guilt.
Preliminary Examination: A limited evidentiary hearing to determine whether there is probable cause to continue. Possible outcomes include bind-over to the 13th Circuit Court, dismissal (uncommon but possible), or reduction of charges.
Bind-Over to the 13th Circuit Court: If bound over, the case receives a new schedule in Circuit Court for further motions, plea discussions, and potential jury trial.

These steps are about whether the case moves forward, not whether you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. They also create decision points that benefit from early preparation.

A Closer Look at Arraignment and Bond in Traverse City

What the Court Covers at Arraignment

Rights: The court advises you of the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
Charge and Maximum Penalties: You’re told the formal accusation and maximum possible punishment in general terms.
Initial Plea: Most first-time defendants enter a not-guilty plea so discovery can be reviewed.
Bond: The judge or magistrate decides release and conditions while the case is pending.

What “Bond Conditions” Usually Mean (Examples, Not Predictions)

Bond conditions are rules you must follow: appear for all hearings, obey no-contact orders (if imposed), comply with testing when ordered, and follow any travel limitations or check-ins. Violations can create new problems, so clarity matters. Ask your lawyer to translate each condition into plain next steps.

If You’re a First-Time Defendant

It’s common to assume a clean record guarantees leniency or that “everyone pleads on a first offense.” Neither assumption is safe. Early hearings are about information, posture, and protecting your long-term interests—not quick predictions.

Misdemeanors in the 86th District Court: What Changes After Arraignment

For misdemeanors in Grand Traverse County, everything stays in the 86th District Court—no transfer to Circuit Court. Expect scheduled pre-trial conferences where evidence is exchanged and issues are identified, followed by motions if appropriate, and then a jury trial if the case does not resolve. This is a structured, step-by-step path designed to put the real evidence on the table before any final decision.

Local Court Practicalities in Grand Traverse County (Traverse City)

Appearance Logistics: Some first appearances are in person; some are by video. If you’re in custody at the Grand Traverse County Jail, you may appear on video for arraignment; if you are out of custody, your notice will tell you where and when to appear.
Paperwork You’ll Receive: Bond order (lists your conditions), next court date(s), and—if appointed—contact information for counsel. Read every page before you leave the building (or when returned to the jail for processing).
What Not to Do: Don’t argue facts at arraignment; don’t discuss facts on recorded lines from the jail; and don’t guess about conditions—ask for clarity. These are general guardrails that protect first-time defendants from avoidable problems.

What’s at Stake for First-Time Defendants (Beyond the Courtroom)

Even if jail is unlikely in many first-time scenarios, the consequences can still feel significant. Common concerns include:

Employment and Background Checks: Pending or resolved cases can appear on background checks used for hiring or advancement.
Professional Licenses (General): Some fields have reporting or fitness considerations; we discuss these in general terms only.
Driving: In alcohol-related matters, driver’s-license issues may arise; we keep this general unless specifics are requested.
Family and Community: No-contact orders or bond limits can disrupt daily life, and small-community visibility adds stress.

Our content is always general and non-predictive. We avoid forecasts about sentencing, probation terms, license outcomes, or employer decisions because those depend on facts, law, and individual circumstances.

Why Trial-Readiness Matters in Grand Traverse County

In our experience, local prosecutors often overcharge, and when cases are forced into trial, the evidence can look very different from what a paper file suggests. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial because that posture gathers the right evidence early, sharpens motion practice, and improves leverage in any plea discussions. Preparation creates options; it is not bravado. We do not operate as a high-volume plea mill.

How We Work Cases in the 86th District Court (Our Approach)

For first-time defendants in Grand Traverse County, our work emphasizes clarity and preparation:

Early Orientation: We explain what will happen at arraignment and how to navigate bond and conditions in plain English.
Structured Evidence Review: We obtain reports and, when available, body-worn or in-car video to compare what’s written to what’s visible and audible. Video sometimes differs from narrative accounts.
Constitutional Screening: We analyze stops, searches, statements, and due-process issues as part of a standard, careful review.
Investigation When Appropriate: Identifying potential witnesses or additional video sources can add context; descriptions remain general here.
Trial-Forward Preparation: From day one, we organize evidence and anticipate trial issues so we’re ready if the case requires it. Trial-readiness is protection and leverage, not aggression.

Plea discussions are evaluated, not assumed, and the decision is always informed by the strength of the evidence, long-term consequences, your goals, and the case’s trial posture.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 86th District Court (Grand Traverse County)

Do all misdemeanors stay in the 86th District Court?
Yes, misdemeanor cases are handled start-to-finish in the 86th District Court, including arraignment, bond, pre-trial conferences, motions, trial, and sentencing. Felonies begin here but may be bound over to the 13th Circuit Court after a preliminary examination.

What happens at my first appearance (arraignment)?
The court reads the charge, explains your rights and maximum penalties, takes an initial plea (often not guilty), and sets bond and conditions. The hearing is brief and procedural; it starts the case but does not decide it.

What are bond conditions?
They are rules you must follow while the case is pending—appearing for all hearings, possible testing, travel limits, or no-contact orders in appropriate cases. Violations can create new problems, so clarity matters.

What is a pre-trial conference?
A scheduled meeting date where the defense and prosecution discuss discovery, issues, and any plea options. It’s about case status and next steps, not deciding guilt or innocence.

How do felonies move from District Court to Circuit Court?
Felony cases hold a probable-cause conference and may proceed to a preliminary examination. If the court finds probable cause, the case is “bound over” to the 13th Circuit Court for the next stages.

Do first-time defendants always plead guilty?
No. Plea discussions are common, but they are evaluated based on the evidence, long-term consequences, and your goals—not assumed. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial because evidence can look different under scrutiny.

Will a clean record guarantee leniency?
A clean record can be important, but it does not guarantee any specific result. Avoid assumptions, and let preparation and evidence guide decisions.

Immediate, General Next Steps (Grand Traverse County)

Read your paperwork carefully. Your bond order controls your conditions; your notice lists precise dates.
Organize evidence and logistics. Keep tickets, complaints, or notices in one place; plan work and transportation for court dates.
Limit public discussion. Save case facts for privileged conversations with counsel; calls from custody are commonly recorded.
Focus on preparation, not prediction. Responsible decisions come from reviewing discovery, not guessing what might happen.

We keep our docket selective so we can prepare thoroughly and communicate clearly before each hearing. For many first-time defendants, steady planning turns the most stressful part of the case into the most predictable.

If you’re facing charges in the 86th District Court or 13th Circuit Court in Grand Traverse or Leelanau County, contact True North Legal Group to schedule a confidential strategy session: https://calendly.com/tnlg/30min