8th Circuit Court of Montcalm County Bail Bonds & Bond Information

After arraignment at 8th Circuit Court of Montcalm County

In Montcalm County, the initial arraignment and the setting of bond occur in the 64B District Court (617 N State Street, Stanton), not the circuit court. The 64B District Court sets bail, accepts bond, conducts misdemeanor and felony arraignments, and presides over probable cause conferences and preliminary examinations for felony offenses. At arraignment the judge advises the defendant of the charges and sets conditions of release, which may include a personal recognizance bond, a 10% bond, or a cash/surety bond depending on the offense and the defendant's circumstances. For felony charges, if the preliminary examination establishes probable cause, the case is bound over to the 8th Circuit Court, which has original jurisdiction over felony criminal matters. The 8th Circuit Court is a multi-county court serving both Montcalm and Ionia Counties, with the Montcalm location in Stanton and an Ionia location in Ionia. The circuit court handles felony trials, sentencing, and may review or modify bond as the case proceeds.