What Your Options Are When You Receive a Traffic Citation

     If you receive a ticket, you must respond within 14 days.  Turn the ticket over.  You will see three options:

1. Admit Responsibility - You are admitting that you are at fault for the civil infraction that you are charged with and you will pay the amount.  If you choose this option, please check the box and call or look at website for the amount owed to the court and place that amount in cash, in-county check, money order, or cashier's check in the envelope and send to the court within 14 days.
   
2. Admit Responsibility with Explanation - You are admitting that you are at fault for the civil infraction but wish to explain the circumstances.  If you choose this option, please check the box and call or look at website for the amount owed to the court and place that amount in cash, in-county check, money order, or cashier's check in the envelope and send to the court within 14 days.  You MUST also include a letter of explanation. Upon receipt of your letter, the Attorney Magistrate will contact the police officer who issued the citation.  The police officer alone may or may not give an offer in the case, this decision is not made but only facilitated by the Attorney Magistrate.
   
3. Deny Responsibility - You are saying you are not responsible for this ticket.  If you choose this option, please check the appropriate box and send the ticket into the court within 14 days. The Court will set up an informal hearing in front of the Attorney Magistrate and will send you a letter indicating the date in which you must appear at the Court.  Please bring all evidence to the hearing.  If you wish for someone to testify on your behalf you must contact them and make sure that they are at the hearing.

Regardless of your choice, you MUST send in your ticket within 14 days of receiving it otherwise it will default.

Procedure for an Informal Hearing

     In the event an informal hearing has been requested in your case, when you arrive at the Huron County Building you MUST check in with the District Court Clerk.  After you have checked in with the District Court Clerk, have a seat across the hall from the District Court Clerk’s office in front of the Prosecutor's office. 

     Please wear appropriate clothing to court.  Please be on time. Please bring any and all supporting evidence you may have.  Please be respectful to the opposing party, the District Court staff, and the Attorney Magistrate. 

     You are allowed one (1) adjournment from the original hearing date scheduled.  The officer is also allowed one (1) adjournment.   NO ADJOURNMENTS WILL BE ALLOWED LESS  THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS FROM THE SCHEDULED HEARING DATE.  For example, if your hearing is scheduled for a Tuesday, then you must contact the Court no later than  4:00 p.m. the Tuesday before the hearing.

     The Attorney Magistrate cannot reduce or waive points on the violation for which you have been charged.  This court does not accept a plea under advisement.

     If you are found responsible at the end of the informal hearing, be prepared to immediately pay all fines and costs in full as required by Michigan Court Rule 1.110. Cash, in-county check, money order, Visa and MasterCard are accepted.  Please be advised there is a $5.95 fee for payment by credit card.