What to Expect After an Arrest in Traverse City

An arrest in Traverse City can upend everything in a single afternoon or night. If you’ve never been in trouble before, the mix of booking, jail, and an unfamiliar courtroom can feel disorienting. 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. This guide explains the local process from the moment of arrest through the arraignment and bond hearing in the 86th District Court, so you know what’s coming, what decisions you’ll be asked to make, and how to protect your options.

We’re a boutique, selective-docket defense firm in Traverse City. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial, not because every case should end in a jury, but because early, thorough preparation gives first-time defendants leverage and clarity. We are not a high-volume plea mill, and we evaluate each case individually.

The First Hours: From the Street to the Grand Traverse County Jail

What triggers an arrest in Traverse City

Most arrests start with a traffic stop, a call for service, or a face-to-face encounter that leads an officer to believe a crime occurred. If an officer decides a custodial arrest is necessary, you’ll be transported to the Grand Traverse County Jail in Traverse City for booking. In some lower-level matters, you might be released at the scene with a “notice to appear.” In others, especially when bond and conditions need to be set, you’ll stay in custody until a formal first appearance in the 86th District Court.

Booking and holding

At the jail, staff will take your fingerprints and photographs and inventory your property. You may be placed in a holding area while the jail completes intake. Calls from the jail are routinely monitored and recorded. It’s natural to want to explain yourself, but discussing facts—on a phone, in texts, or on social media—creates risk. The safest approach is to keep your conversations limited to arranging logistics (for example, contacting a family member to secure property or transportation) and to wait to discuss the case with a lawyer.

Release choices before court

Depending on the charge and circumstances, there are three common early paths:

Cite-and-release/notice to appear. You’re released with paperwork telling you when to appear in the 86th District Court.
Overnight or weekend hold. You remain in jail until an arraignment and bond hearing, often the next business day.
Immediate transport for video arraignment. In some cases, the jail connects you by video to the court for the first appearance.

None of these paths resolve guilt or innocence; they simply determine how and when you see a judicial officer about your charges and bond.

Understanding the 86th District Court in Traverse City

Why the 86th District Court matters

For arrests in Grand Traverse County (and for many arrests in Leelanau County), the 86th District Court in Traverse City is where your case formally begins. The court handles arraignments (your first appearance), bond and bond conditions, and—for misdemeanors—future settings such as pre-trial conferences. If your matter is charged as a felony, the court will also handle the early felony stages before any possible transfer to the 13th Circuit Court later on. For purposes of this article, we stop at arraignment and bond so you know exactly what to expect in those first critical moments.

Who presides: introducing the magistrate

Arraignments and bond hearings in the 86th District Court are commonly conducted by a magistrate, a judicial officer authorized to advise you of the charge, explain your rights, take an initial plea, and set bond and conditions. Think of the magistrate as the court’s first point of contact for a new criminal case. The magistrate is neutral and separate from the prosecutor. The magistrate’s role is not to determine guilt; it is to make sure you understand the accusations and to decide how you’ll be released while the case moves forward.

The Arraignment in Traverse City: What Will Happen, Step by Step

Whether you appear in person in a courtroom or by video from the jail, the sequence is similar. Here’s what you can expect:

1) Identification and case call

Court staff will confirm your identity and call your case. You’ll be asked basic questions (name, date of birth) and reminded to speak clearly. It’s important to listen closely and avoid discussing facts about the incident. You will have opportunities later, through counsel, to address the evidence properly.

2) Advisement of rights

The magistrate will explain your constitutional rights in plain terms: the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, the presumption of innocence, and the prosecution’s burden of proof. You are not required to answer questions about the alleged offense.

3) The charge and its maximum penalties

You’ll be told the charge (or charges) and the maximum possible penalty for each. This isn’t a prediction of what will happen; it is meant to ensure you understand the stakes in general terms.

4) Entering an initial plea

At arraignment, many first-time defendants enter a not guilty plea or stand mute (which is treated as not guilty). This keeps all options open and allows time for your lawyer to receive and review discovery. The arraignment is not a place to argue evidence, and it is typically not the time to resolve the case.

5) Counsel choices at the bond hearing

This is a key moment. During the bond hearing portion of the arraignment, you will be asked about representation. You have two primary paths:

Request a court-appointed attorney. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, you may ask the magistrate to appoint counsel. You’ll typically complete a brief financial statement. If the request is granted, an attorney will be appointed to represent you going forward.
Reserve your right to hire your own attorney. If you plan to retain private counsel, tell the magistrate you intend to hire a lawyer and request time to do so. This is a common and entirely appropriate choice—especially for first-time defendants who want to meet with a local attorney before making strategic decisions.

We encourage people to reserve their right to hire counsel when possible so they can interview lawyers and choose a good fit. If a court-appointed lawyer is necessary, you still retain the option to hire a private attorney later. Either way, the magistrate will proceed to set bond and conditions at this same hearing.

The Bond Hearing: How Release and Conditions Are Decided

The purpose of bond

Bond is about release and predictability while your case is pending. The magistrate’s task is to ensure you appear for future court dates and that the community remains safe. The bond decision includes both a type of bond (for example, personal recognizance versus a monetary bond) and bond conditions (rules you must follow).

Factors the magistrate commonly considers

While every case is different, magistrates typically weigh several general factors when setting bond:

Ties to Grand Traverse County and Leelanau County (residence, family support, length of time in the area)
Employment or school and overall stability
Criminal history (if any), including prior failures to appear
Nature of the allegations and whether conditions could reasonably manage risk
Any known substance-use or mental-health concerns that might be addressed with structured conditions

These are considerations, not boxes to check. The magistrate’s decision is individualized and can vary by case.

Common bond types and conditions (general examples)

Without predicting what will happen in your case, here are categories you might hear:

Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond. You are released without posting money, on your promise to appear and to follow conditions.
Monetary Bond. The court sets a cash amount or a percentage/cash-surety option.
Standard Conditions. Appear for all hearings; do not leave Michigan without court permission; notify the court of address changes.
Case-Specific Conditions. No-contact orders, alcohol/drug testing, tether or GPS, curfew, or no driving with any amount of alcohol in your system.
Evaluation or services as appropriate. Sometimes the magistrate adds evaluation or check-ins to support compliance.

If you don’t understand a condition, ask the magistrate to clarify it. After the hearing, follow your conditions exactly; even technical violations can complicate a first-time case.

Your Rights About Lawyers at Arraignment—And How to Think About the Choice

Requesting a court-appointed attorney

If you tell the magistrate you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, the court will evaluate your request and may appoint counsel. This ensures you have representation going forward, especially important if you’ll be released with immediate conditions like testing or a no-contact order. Appointed counsel is independent from the court and the prosecution.

Reserving your right to hire local counsel

Many first-time defendants prefer to reserve the right to hire their own attorney so they can meet privately with a lawyer of their choosing, ask questions, and decide on a strategy. If you plan to retain counsel, say so clearly at the hearing and request a short window to do it. The court will still set bond and conditions that day. Hiring a lawyer shortly after arraignment gives your attorney time to gather discovery, evaluate bond terms, and start preparing.

At True North Legal Group, we’re hyper-local to Grand Traverse County and Leelanau County, with a practice limited to the 86th District Court and 13th Circuit Court. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial, because early trial-readiness sharpens the bond presentation, frames the discovery we need, and preserves options later. Our clients often tell us the first real exhale happened after a clear, step-by-step plan for the next two weeks.

What to Expect Logistically on Arraignment Day in Traverse City

If you are in custody at the jail

You’ll likely appear by video from the Grand Traverse County Jail to the 86th District Court. Jail staff will direct you where to stand or sit. Keep your answers brief and respectful, and avoid volunteering information about the incident. If you have medical needs, continue to raise them through the jail’s procedures; medical details generally are not part of the bond discussion unless directly relevant (for example, medication that affects testing schedules).

If you are out of custody

Arrive early at the courthouse. Dress neatly and bring your paperwork (ticket, complaint, or notice to appear). Plan for security screening. Turn phones off or leave them outside the courtroom when required. When your case is called, step forward, listen carefully, and speak clearly. If you plan to hire a lawyer, state that to the magistrate and request time to do so.

Who will be in the room

Magistrate: the judicial officer who runs the hearing, explains your rights, accepts your initial plea, and sets bond.
Prosecutor or representative: presents the State’s position on bond and conditions.
Defense counsel (if already retained or appointed): advocates for your release and appropriate, least-restrictive conditions.
Court staff: clerks and security who help the hearing run smoothly.

How to Prepare for the Bond Conversation (Without Arguing the Facts)

You do not need to—and should not—litigate your entire case at arraignment. Instead, focus on release factors the magistrate considers. Helpful information includes:

Confirmation of your residence in Traverse City or elsewhere in Grand Traverse County
Employer name and schedule (bring a pay stub if you have one)
Family responsibilities (childcare, elder care, medical appointments)
Any prior court history or the absence of one (first-time defendant)
Transportation options and ability to comply with testing or check-ins

Keep these points short and factual. If you already have counsel, your lawyer will frame them for the magistrate.

After the Hearing: Paperwork, Conditions, and the Immediate Next Steps

Once bond is set, the court will give you documents that matter:

Bond order: lists your conditions. Read it carefully before you leave the building (or before you’re returned to the jail for processing).
Next court date: for misdemeanors, usually a pre-trial conference in the 86th District Court; for felonies, a probable-cause conference and a preliminary examination are scheduled. Even though this article stops at arraignment, knowing the names of those next steps helps you keep perspective.

If any condition seems unclear—testing schedule, travel limits, or no-contact boundaries—ask the clerk or your attorney how to comply. It’s easier to clarify now than to fix a violation later.

Special Considerations for First-Time Defendants

You are not alone. Many people standing in the arraignment line are exactly where you are: first-time defendants who are otherwise responsible and employed.
A calm posture helps. Judges and magistrates respond well to preparation and respect. Bring documents, listen carefully, and answer only what is asked.
Bond is not a verdict. Tough-sounding conditions don’t predict the final outcome. They are temporary rules while your case is pending.
Trial-readiness creates leverage later. Even though this guide stops at arraignment, the way your team prepares today—collecting video, locking down witnesses, identifying constitutional issues—affects options down the road. In our experience, local prosecutors often overcharge, and when cases are forced to trial, the evidence can look very different than it did on paper. Early, measured preparation protects first-time defendants from assumptions.

What Not to Do (Jail, Phone, Social Media)

Don’t discuss the facts on recorded lines. Calls from the Grand Traverse County Jail are typically recorded. Save the facts for privileged conversations with your lawyer.
Don’t try to “explain” the case to the magistrate. Arraignment is not for litigating details.
Don’t guess about conditions. If the order says no alcohol, assume that includes testing and avoid any gray area.
Don’t miss the next date. Put it on your calendar immediately and set reminders.

How True North Legal Group Prepares Clients for Arraignment and Bond

Our process for first-time defendants is steady and practical:

Pre-arraignment orientation. If contacted early, we walk through what will happen at the jail or in the courtroom, what to say and not say, and which documents to bring.
Bond plan. We identify the best presentation of your ties to Grand Traverse County/Leelanau County, employment, caretaking responsibilities, and ability to comply—so the magistrate sees a complete picture.
Immediate evidence steps. We request or preserve body-camera and dash video, 911 audio, and any third-party footage while it still exists.
Constitutional review. We screen stops, searches, and statements for potential challenges we may file later if appropriate.
Clear communication. We translate the bond order into plain-English steps so you can comply without stress.

This early work sets the tone. It does not guarantee results, but it consistently helps first-time defendants make better decisions and avoid unnecessary problems while the case is pending.

Quick Checklist: Your First 72 Hours After an Arrest in Traverse City

Read every page of your paperwork. Put the next court date and any testing requirements on your calendar.
Decide on counsel. At arraignment, either request a court-appointed attorney or reserve the right to hire your own. If you plan to retain counsel, schedule consultations right away.
Gather contact information. Employer letterhead, pay stubs, lease/mortgage, and proof of school or caregiving can all support a reasonable bond.
Follow every bond condition exactly. If anything is unclear, ask your lawyer before acting.
Stay quiet about facts. No social media posts, group texts, or casual explanations to friends.
Take care of logistics. Transportation, childcare, and work notifications—so you can appear on time for all court dates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arraignments in Traverse City

Will I see a judge or a magistrate?
Often a magistrate conducts arraignments and sets bond in the 86th District Court. In some situations you may see a judge. Either way, the process and your rights are the same.

Do I have to plead guilty at arraignment?
No. Most first-time defendants enter a not-guilty plea so counsel can review discovery and advise. Arraignment is not the place to try the case.

If I ask for a court-appointed lawyer, can I still hire private counsel later?
Yes. You can hire private counsel later even if the court appoints an attorney at arraignment.

Can I appear by video?
If you are in the Grand Traverse County Jail, arraignment is often handled by video. If you were released, the court will tell you whether your appearance is in person or remote.

What if I was arrested in Leelanau County?
Many cases still begin in the 86th District Court, and the arraignment and bond process described here remains the same. The key is to read your notice carefully and follow the instructions specific to your case.

The Bottom Line

Being arrested in Traverse City is overwhelming, especially for first-time defendants who are otherwise stable, employed, and caring for families. The good news is that arraignment and bond are structured events with a clear purpose. If you know what to expect—from the intake at the Grand Traverse County Jail, to stepping into the 86th District Court, to telling the magistrate whether you’ll request a court-appointed attorney or reserve the right to hire your own—you can move through the first hours with fewer surprises and fewer mistakes.

Preparation is your advantage. We’re a boutique, hyper-local defense firm serving only Grand Traverse County and Leelanau County, and we keep our docket selective so we can prepare thoroughly. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial, because that mindset protects your options later—even though this article focuses only on the road to arraignment.

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