Civil Division

Though a state court, the 19th District Court is primarily funded by the City of Dearborn, with net revenues deposited into the city's general fund.

Budget: The court's budget for the 2005-2006 fiscal year is $3,200,000 including $503,552 to retire City of Dearborn Building Authority Bonds.

Civil Lawsuits: The Dearborn court has jurisdiction in non-criminal cases where the amount in dispute between parties does not exceed $25,000.

Court Attire: Appropriate attire is expected of those visiting courtrooms. Hats or caps are not permitted.

Court Caseload: One of the busiest state courts, the 19th District Court's caseload annually exceeds 70,000.

Court Hours: The court is open for business on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Court Location: The court is located at 16077 Michigan Avenue, between Greenfield and Southfield and directly adjacent to Dearborn Police Headquarters. Convenient parking is located immediately east of the court's main entrance.

Food: Food and beverages are not allowed in the courthouse.

Judges: Three judges who are elected independently by Dearborn voters for six-year terms on non-partisan ballots serve the 19th District Court. Current judges are the Honorable William C. Hultgren, Mark W. Somers and Richard Wygonik.

Jurisdiction: The court serves the entire City of Dearborn.

Jury Duty: Jurors for trials in the 19th District Court are selected at random from a computer generated list of eligible Dearborn residents provided by the Wayne County Jury Commission.

Jury Trials: All Dearborn jury trial have six jurors. In criminal cases, a unanimous decision is required to convict a defendant. In civil cases, a majority of five may render a verdict.

Landlord/Tenant: The court has jurisdiction over landlord disputes such as non-payment of rent or eviction and land contract or mortgage where damages sought are less than $25,000.

No Smoking: The 19th District Courthouse is a smoke-free building.

Legal Advice: Court Employees are not permitted to give legal advice.

Scheduling an Event: Dearborn service and charitable organizations may arrange for staging a function at the courthouse during non-business hours by calling 943-3074.

Security: Weapons are not allowed in the court building. Security officers operate metal detectors at the court entrance.

Small Claims: The 19th District Court has jurisdiction in small claims disputes where suits for money damages do not exceed $3,000.

Tours: Student groups and organizations may arrange for a building tour by calling (313) 943-3074.

Volunteers: Concerned citizens have the opportunity to participate in the rehabilitation process through the court's Volunteer Probation Officer program. After completing a training course by the Probation Office staff, volunteers handle a caseload geared to their availability during regularly scheduled evening hours. (For more information, call (313) 943-2871).

Youth Programs: The national Law Day observance each May sees the Dearborn court give students a close-up view of the justice system in action, and the penalties awaiting wrongdoers, by conducting actual court sessions in local high school and middle school auditoriums.

In cooperation with the Dearborn Rotary Club, the court sponsors a citywide essay contest for fourth through eighth graders to climax its Law Day educational activities.