The 23rd District Court in Taylor, Michigan handles criminal misdemeanors, civil infractions, and the early stages of felony cases that arise in the City of Taylor. If you were arrested or cited in Taylor, your arraignment will most likely take place at 23365 Goddard Road.
23rd District Court at a glance
| Court | 23rd District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 23365 Goddard Rd., Taylor, MI 48180 |
| Phone | (734) 374-1334 |
| Community served | City of Taylor |
| Judges | The court has two judgeships. In November 2025 the State Bar of Michigan posted a judicial vacancy notice for the 23rd District Court listing Judge Joseph Slaven as the vacating judge, so call the court to confirm who is presiding at your hearing. |
| Court online services | 23rd District Court online case review |
| Felony trial court | Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan (Wayne County), Criminal Division, Detroit |
The address and phone number come from the court’s own online services page and were checked in October 2026. We could not confirm public hours or the current judges from an official source, so call the court before you go. Judges, hours, and procedures can change.
What cases does the 23rd District Court hear?
Michigan district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over criminal matters where the maximum penalty does not exceed one year in jail (MCL 600.8311). In Taylor that includes misdemeanors such as first-offense drunk driving (OWI), retail fraud, and assault and battery, as well as traffic misdemeanors and civil infractions. In felony cases the district court handles the arraignment, bond, and preliminary examination. If the judge finds probable cause, the case moves to circuit court for trial.
Traffic tickets that are civil infractions go through the court’s traffic division. A finding of responsibility is reported to the Secretary of State, which adds the violation to your driving record and assesses points. The court’s online case review page says the court offers an online review of eligible traffic tickets issued by the Taylor Police Department, and that eligible tickets are considered for a no-point violation. That page is dated 2017, so call the court to confirm the program is still available.
What happens at your arraignment?
Michigan law requires that an arrested person be taken before a court without unnecessary delay, and the arraignment can be held by two-way video (MCR 6.104(A); MCR 6.006(A)). At the arraignment the judge or magistrate tells you the charge and your rights, decides whether you will be released and on what conditions, and, if you cannot afford a lawyer, appoints one (MCR 6.005). On a felony charge the court must also tell you about your right to a preliminary examination, and it may not ask you to enter a plea or question you about the offense (MCR 6.104(E)). Bond decisions follow MCR 6.106 and MCL 765.6.
How does a felony case move through the court?
- Arraignment. The court sets the dates for the next two hearings at the arraignment (MCL 766.4(1)).
- Probable cause conference. This takes place 7 to 14 days after arraignment. The lawyers discuss whether the case will go to a preliminary examination, be waived, or be resolved by a plea (MCL 766.4(1); MCR 6.104(E)(4)).
- Preliminary examination. Unless waived or adjourned, this takes place 5 to 7 days after the conference. The prosecutor must show probable cause that a felony was committed and that you committed it, and the court follows the Michigan Rules of Evidence (MCR 6.110(C)).
- Bindover. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is sent to the Third Circuit Court, Criminal Division, in Detroit for trial.
With the court’s approval, the parties may agree to hold the examination earlier than 5 days after the conference (MCL 766.4(4)). If a party objects, the court may not adjourn the examination without finding good cause on the record (MCR 6.110(B)(1)).
Two Wayne County details are worth knowing. According to the State Appellate Defender Office’s description of the Third Circuit Court, some felony cases can be placed on an expedited track in which every proceeding after the arraignment on the warrant takes place in the circuit court, so your schedule may differ from the standard timeline. Your lawyer can tell you which track applies. Also, Wayne County offices, including the prosecutor’s office and the clerk’s criminal division, have been moving to the new Criminal Justice Center at 5301 Russell Street in Detroit, so confirm the courthouse address before your first circuit court date.
Taylor Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested or accused of a DUI, a misdemeanor or felony offense, a probation violation, a traffic violation, or a gun crime in Taylor, Taylor Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney Kevin Bessant can help. Attorney Bessant has represented clients before the 23rd District Court and the Taylor City Attorney. Do not risk your freedom or your criminal record without speaking to a lawyer first.
If you have a pending case in the 23rd District Court, call 313-658-8159 now for a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions about the 23rd District Court
Where is the 23rd District Court in Taylor?
The 23rd District Court is at 23365 Goddard Road, Taylor, MI 48180, and its number is (734) 374-1334. Call the court to confirm public hours before you go.
Who are the judges of the 23rd District Court?
The court has two judgeships. In November 2025 the State Bar of Michigan posted a judicial vacancy notice for the court listing Judge Joseph Slaven as the vacating judge, so call the court to confirm who is presiding at your hearing.
Can I request an online review of a Taylor traffic ticket?
The court’s online case review page says the court offers an online review of eligible traffic tickets issued by the Taylor Police Department, and that eligible tickets are considered for a no-point violation. The page is dated 2017, so call (734) 374-1334 to confirm the program is still available.
What happens at a felony arraignment in Taylor?
The judge or magistrate tells you the charge and your right to a preliminary examination, sets bond, and appoints a lawyer if you cannot afford one. The court then sets a probable cause conference 7 to 14 days later and a preliminary examination 5 to 7 days after that (MCL 766.4(1); MCR 6.104(E)).
Legal Authority: Court Rules and Statute
District court jurisdiction is set by MCL 600.8311. Arraignment is governed by MCR 6.104, district court criminal procedure by MCR 6.610, and preliminary examinations by MCL 766.4 and MCR 6.110. Bond follows MCL 765.6 and MCR 6.106, and the right to counsel is in MCR 6.005. For the current text of these rules, see the Michigan Court Rules published by the Michigan Courts and the text of MCL 766.4 on the Michigan Legislature’s website.