29th Circuit Court of Clinton County Bail Bonds & Bond Information

After arraignment at 29th Circuit Court of Clinton County

In Clinton County, a defendant's initial arraignment and the initial setting of bond occur in the 65A District Court at the Clinton County Courthouse, 100 E State Street, St. Johns, regardless of whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony. The 65A District Court handles all adult misdemeanors through arraignment, bond, trial and sentencing. For felony charges, the District Court conducts the arraignment, sets bond, and holds the preliminary examination. At arraignment the judge or magistrate advises the defendant of the charges and sets conditions of release, which may include a personal recognizance (PR) bond, an unsecured appearance bond, a cash bond, a 10% bond, or a surety bond through a court-approved bail bond agency, considering factors such as flight risk, public safety, and the seriousness of the offense. If, at the preliminary examination, the District Court finds probable cause that a felony was committed, the case is bound over to the 29th Circuit Court of Clinton County (which serves Clinton and Gratiot Counties) for trial-level felony proceedings, where the Circuit Court may also review or modify bond.