Criminal Justice (Courts) in Michigan

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6275: Criminal procedure: evidence; applicability of rules of evidence at preliminary examination; modify. Amends sec. 11b, ch. VI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 766.11b).

This bill modifies Michigan's criminal procedure rules to clarify which types of hearsay evidence are admissible during preliminary examinations without requiring the original author or record keeper to testify. It specifically permits the use of drug analysis reports, certified court records, business records, and various law enforcement reports, such as forensic science findings and autopsy results, in these proceedings. Additionally, the legislation requires magistrates to allow prosecutors to subpoena law enforcement officers to provide hearsay testimony from victims or witnesses in cases involving assaultive crimes, home invasions, or arson.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6301: Courts: other; failure to appear reporting requirements; mandate, and require court to publish certain public information related to warrants. Amends 1927 PA 175 (MCL 760.1 - 777.69) by adding sec. 3a to ch. IV.

Effective October 1, 2026, Michigan courts are required to publish specific performance metrics on their websites to improve transparency regarding case management. The bill mandates that each court display its failure-to-appear rate and fugitive rate, which measure the proportion of defendants or supervised individuals who miss scheduled court dates or escape supervision. Additionally, courts must list the total number of active warrants they hold, categorized separately by traffic, misdemeanor, and felony offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6296: Children: services; juvenile justice and child welfare training institute and youth and family justice bureau; establish. Amends secs. 13a, 18f, 18q, 19 & 19a, ch. XIIA of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 712A.13a et seq.) & adds secs. 16b, 18u & 18v to ch. XIIA.

Michigan House Bill 6296 establishes a new Youth and Family Justice Bureau within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee juvenile justice standards, collect data, and monitor detention facilities. The bill also creates a Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Training Institute, developed in collaboration with state courts and a public university, to provide standardized training and maintain centralized records for staff working in the juvenile system. Additionally, the legislation amends existing child welfare laws to mandate more frequent court review hearings, require regular parenting time for removed children, and set specific timelines for permanency planning decisions regarding foster care placements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

in committee · Michigan · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 6157: Civil rights: public records; regulation of disclosure of certain information; provide for. Creates new act.

This bill, known as the Shielding Information for Lawful and Ethical Disclosure Act, prevents Michigan government agencies from sharing large amounts of personal data with federal immigration officials without specific authorization. It defines "bulk disclosure" as transferring data on multiple people without reviewing each case individually and allows such sharing only if a court order exists, the transfer serves a specific law enforcement purpose, or it is immediately necessary to protect health and safety. The law applies to all state, county, and municipal departments and officers, while giving the state attorney general the power to seek court orders to stop illegal data sharing.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Data Privacy Tags Government Transparency

in committee · Michigan · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 6158: State management: other; access to certain facilities by federal immigration authorities; regulate. Creates new act.

This bill, titled the Safe Access to Facilities Act, prohibits Michigan state and local government agencies from allowing federal immigration officers into nonpublic areas unless a court issues a judicial warrant. The law specifically targets the conduct of government employees, requiring them to refuse entry to private spaces without a warrant based on probable cause. However, the legislation includes exceptions that allow access without a warrant during criminal investigations, when there is an immediate threat to public safety, or when emergency medical care is needed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Courts Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 2, 2026

SB 1090: Courts: funding; trial court funding; provide for. Amends sec. 13, ch. II, secs. 1k & 5, ch. IX & secs. 1, 3, 3c & 3e, ch. XI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 762.13 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 1089'26

This bill updates Michigan's criminal procedure code to clarify how courts assess and collect financial costs from defendants. It requires judges to determine if a defendant is financially unable to pay before ordering fines or court fees. If a defendant is not indigent, the court can impose specific minimum state costs and additional expenses related to the trial, such as personnel salaries and facility maintenance, but must waive these charges for those who qualify as indigent. The legislation also establishes a fee structure for probation supervision, charging $30 per month without electronic monitoring or $60 per month with it, while allowing courts to waive these fees for indigent individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 2, 2026

SB 1089: Courts: funding; trial court funding; provide for. Amends secs. 880d, 8727 & 8827 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.880d et seq.); adds secs. 1495, 1496 & 1497 & repeals secs. 8729 & 8829 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.8729 & 600.8829). TIE BAR WITH: SB 1090'26

This bill establishes a standardized process for courts to determine whether individuals can afford court-related fees and fines. It requires judges to conduct a three-part financial assessment before imposing costs, which includes checking if a person receives public assistance, has income below a specific low-income threshold, or faces unique financial hardships. Under the new rules, people currently incarcerated are automatically considered indigent, and those found to be unable to pay will not be ordered to cover court costs or fees. Additionally, the legislation allows individuals to request a review of their financial status after sentencing if their circumstances have changed, potentially leading to the waiver of previously imposed charges.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 2, 2026

SB 1091: Courts: funding; trial court funding; provide for. Amends sec. 907 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.907) & repeals sec. 908 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.908). TIE BAR WITH: SB 1089'26

This bill amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to clarify how civil traffic infractions are handled in court, specifically preventing them from being treated as lesser included offenses of criminal charges. It establishes specific fine ranges for various violations, such as speeding and equipment failures, while also setting a maximum cost limit of $100 for court expenses. The legislation allows judges to order treatment or education programs for offenders and requires courts to publish schedules of fines that must account for indigent defendants. Additionally, it mandates that courts waive fines and costs if a driver repairs defective safety equipment before their court date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Michigan · House Jun 17, 2026

HB 6081: Criminal procedure: preliminary examination; certain rules and procedures for conducting a preliminary examination; revise. Amends sec. 11b, ch. VI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 766.11b) & adds sec. 11c to ch. VI.

This bill proposes to change the rules for preliminary examinations in Michigan criminal cases, which are early court hearings to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a felony trial. Currently, the bill would allow prosecutors and defense attorneys to introduce certain reports, such as drug test results and forensic lab findings, without needing the original author to testify in court. The legislation also establishes a specific timeline where these relaxed evidence rules would take effect on January 1, 2027, replacing the current requirement that live testimony be available for most evidence. By removing the application of standard evidence rules for future cases, the bill aims to streamline the process of deciding whether a defendant should be held for trial.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Michigan · House Jun 17, 2026

HB 6092: Criminal procedure: DNA; postconviction DNA testing; modify. Amends sec. 16, ch. X of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 770.16).

This bill modifies Michigan's existing laws regarding post-conviction DNA testing to allow certain defendants to request new trials based on DNA evidence. It primarily affects individuals convicted of felonies before January 8, 2001, who are currently serving prison sentences, enabling them to petition for DNA testing of biological material collected during their original investigation. The legislation outlines specific conditions under which courts must grant testing, such as when the material has not been previously tested or when newer technology could yield more accurate results. If the testing excludes the defendant as the source of the biological material, the court must appoint counsel and hold a hearing to determine if a new trial is warranted. Additionally, the bill requires that victims be notified of these petitions and ensures that the costs of testing are covered by the state if the defendant cannot afford them.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

All criminal justice bills