15th Circuit Court of Branch County Bail Bonds & Bond Information

After arraignment at 15th Circuit Court of Branch County

In Branch County, a defendant's initial arraignment and the first bond decision take place in the 3-A District Court (31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036; 517-279-4328), not the Circuit Court. At arraignment the judge or magistrate informs the defendant of the charges and sets bond, weighing factors such as the seriousness of the offense, criminal history, and risk of flight; bond may be personal recognizance, 10%, or cash/surety. For felony charges, the District Court also conducts the preliminary examination. If the judge finds probable cause that a felony was committed, the case is bound over to the 15th Circuit Court of Branch County, which sits on the second floor of the same courthouse and handles felony pretrial proceedings, trials, and sentencing. The Circuit Court (517-279-4304) can review, continue, or modify the bond set in District Court. Criminal matters in the Circuit Court are typically heard Monday mornings. Defendants and families can track case events through the statewide MiCOURT Case Search.