Berrien County Trial Court (2nd Circuit) Bail Bonds & Bond Information

After arraignment at Berrien County Trial Court (2nd Circuit)

In Berrien County, an arrested person's initial arraignment and the first bond decision occur in the 5th District Court, which sits at the Berrien County Courthouse (811 Port Street, St. Joseph) and at the South County Building (1205 N. Front Street, Niles). At arraignment a district court judge or magistrate reads the charges, advises the defendant of rights, and sets bond, which may be a personal recognizance, cash, 10%, or surety bond depending on the charge and the defendant's history. Misdemeanors are handled entirely in the 5th District Court. For felonies, the 5th District Court conducts the probable-cause conference and preliminary examination; if probable cause is established, the case is bound over to the Berrien County Trial Court (2nd Circuit), the felony trial court, located at the St. Joseph courthouse. After bindover, the Circuit (Trial Court) judge handles felony arraignment on the information and may review or modify bond. The Berrien County Trial Court consolidates the Circuit, District, and Probate courts into Civil, Criminal, and Family divisions.