The 38th District Court in Eastpointe, Michigan handles criminal misdemeanors, civil infractions, and the early stages of felony cases that arise in the City of Eastpointe. If you were arrested or cited in Eastpointe, your arraignment will most likely take place at 16101 E. Nine Mile Road. Scheduled arraignments are held before the magistrate Monday through Friday at 1:00 p.m., and check-in closes at 1:30 p.m.
38th District Court at a glance
| Court | 38th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 16101 E. Nine Mile Rd., Eastpointe, MI 48021 |
| Phone | (586) 445-5020; criminal department fax (586) 445-5060 |
| Public hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Arraignments | Scheduled: before the magistrate Monday through Friday at 1:00 p.m. Walk-in: Monday through Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Check-in closes at 1:30 p.m. |
| Community served | City of Eastpointe |
| Judge | Kathleen G. Galen, elected in November 2020 to a six-year term |
| Court website | City of Eastpointe, 38th District Court |
| Felony trial court | 16th Circuit Court, Macomb County Court Building, 40 N. Main St., Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
Court details come from the City of Eastpointe’s 38th District Court pages and were checked in October 2026. Judges, hours, and procedures can change, so call the court to confirm before you go. Because the judge’s six-year term began in 2021, check who is on the bench after the November 2026 election.
What cases does the 38th 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). The court’s website says the 38th District Court handles misdemeanors from arraignment through sentencing, including traffic offenses such as driving while license suspended and reckless driving, and non-traffic offenses such as domestic violence, assault and battery, retail fraud, and disorderly conduct. In felony cases the court’s role is limited to arraignments, probable cause conferences, and preliminary examinations. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is bound over to the circuit court, where all further proceedings take place. Failing to appear for a scheduled proceeding can result in a warrant.
The court also handles traffic tickets that are civil infractions. A finding of responsibility is reported to the Secretary of State, which adds the violation to your driving record and assesses points.
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, the maximum possible penalties, 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. For misdemeanors, the court’s website says the next date, typically a pretrial conference, is generally set at the arraignment.
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 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens 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)). The 38th District Court’s website adds that adjournment requests need an Order for Adjournment submitted by email or fax, that requests made less than 48 hours before a hearing generally will not be considered, and that an adjournment may not be granted if the statutory 21-day preliminary examination requirement has not been waived.
Eastpointe Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
The 38th District Court handles misdemeanor and felony offenses, retail fraud, DUI, traffic violations, gun crimes, and probation violations in Eastpointe. Eastpointe Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney Kevin Bessant represents clients before the 38th District Court and the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, and our Eastpointe office is at 23358 Gratiot Ave. A criminal conviction can bring a blemished record and even jail, so do not handle your pending matter alone.
Call 313-658-8159 to schedule your free consultation. The sooner we begin working on your case, the better your chances of a positive resolution.
Frequently asked questions about the 38th District Court
Where is the 38th District Court in Eastpointe, and what are its hours?
The court is at 16101 E. Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021, and its number is (586) 445-5020. The City of Eastpointe lists hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the court closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
When are arraignments held at the 38th District Court?
The court’s website says scheduled arraignments are held before the magistrate Monday through Friday at 1:00 p.m. Walk-in arraignments are available Monday through Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., and check-in for all arraignments closes at 1:30 p.m. Failing to appear for an arraignment can result in a warrant.
Who is the judge of the 38th District Court?
The City of Eastpointe lists Judge Kathleen G. Galen, who was elected in November 2020 to a six-year term. The court has one elected judge, so check the court’s website for the judge after the November 2026 election.
What happens at a felony arraignment in Eastpointe?
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.