48th Circuit Court of Allegan County Bail Bonds & Bond Information

After arraignment at 48th Circuit Court of Allegan County

In Allegan County, the initial criminal arraignment and the first bond decision occur in the 57th District Court (113 Chestnut St., Allegan, MI 49010; 269-673-0400), not the Circuit Court. At arraignment the District Court judge advises the defendant of the charge, rights, and possible penalties, sets bond, and may accept a plea. Misdemeanors stay in the District Court through sentencing. For felonies, the District Court handles arraignment and bond, then schedules a probable cause conference and, if needed, a preliminary examination. At the preliminary exam, the prosecution must show probable cause that a felony was committed and that the defendant committed it. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is "bound over" to the 48th Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases (and civil claims over $25,000). Once in Circuit Court, the case proceeds to a pretrial conference and further proceedings; the Circuit Court judge can review or modify bond conditions at that stage. The 48th Circuit Court shares the Allegan County Building at 113 Chestnut St.