Your Guide to Legal Issues in Ingham County

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Facing a legal issue in Ingham County? You're not powerless. Whether you're dealing with criminal charges, family court matters, or need to help someone who's been arrested, this guide gives you the knowledge to navigate the system confidently.

Ingham County has 3 District Courts - here's how to know which one handles your case:

54A District Court (Lansing)

• Location: 124 W Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48933
• Handles: Lansing city violations, misdemeanors, traffic tickets, small claims up to $7,000
• If you live in: Lansing city limits
• If your incident happened in: Lansing

54B District Court (East Lansing)

• Location: 101 Linden St, East Lansing, MI 48823
• Handles: East Lansing violations, MSU campus incidents, student-related cases
• If you live in: East Lansing, MSU campus
• If your incident happened in: East Lansing, on MSU property

55th District Court (Mason - covers rest of Ingham County)

• Location: 116 W Ash St, Mason, MI 48854
• Handles: All other Ingham County townships and cities outside Lansing/East Lansing
• If you live in: Holt, Okemos, Haslett, Williamston, Leslie, other Ingham County areas
• If your incident happened in: Anywhere in Ingham County except Lansing/East Lansing

30th Circuit Court (Felonies & Family Court)

• Location: 313 W Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48933
• Handles: All felonies, divorces, child custody, CPS cases, appeals from district courts
• Regardless of where you live in Ingham County

Still Not Sure?

• Call the court clerk offices - they help direct you
• Traffic tickets will show which court on the citation
• Criminal charges: your arraignment notice will specify the court

First 24 Hours: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Find Out Where They Are

• Ingham County Jail: 630 S Cedar St, Mason, MI 48854
• Lansing City Lockup: 120 W Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48933 (temporary holding)
• East Lansing Lockup: 101 Linden St, East Lansing, MI 48823 (temporary holding)

Step 2: Check If They've Been Processed

• Ingham County Jail Roster: Available online 24/7
• Phone: 517-676-8202 (jail information line)
• What you need: Full legal name, date of birth if possible

Step 3: Understand the Timeline

• Arraignment: Must happen within 72 hours (excluding weekends/holidays)
• Weekend arrests: Arraignment typically Monday morning
• Holiday arrests: First business day after holiday

Step 4: Bail/Bond Information

• Cash bond: Full amount paid to court
• 10% bond: Pay 10% to bondsman, they cover the rest
• Personal recognizance: Released on promise to appear
• Bond can be posted: 24/7 at Ingham County Jail

Step 5: What Information Helps

• Bring to jail: Valid ID, exact cash amount for bond
• Don't bring: Cell phone, weapons, large bags (security restrictions)
• Parking: Limited street parking, plan extra time

When to Call an Attorney:

• Immediately if: Felony charges, domestic violence, repeat offenses
• Can wait until morning if: Minor misdemeanor, first offense, person is coherent
• Emergency consultation: Available 7-9 PM weeknights for urgent situations

⚠️ EMERGENCY DISCLAIMER: If you or someone else is in immediate physical danger, call 911 first. This section covers legal emergencies that require urgent action but are not life-threatening situations.

Emergency Protection Orders (24/7)

• After hours: Call Ingham County Sheriff dispatch: 517-676-8202
• Weekends: Emergency magistrate available through dispatch
• What qualifies: Immediate physical danger, threats of violence
• Required: Specific incidents, dates, witnesses if available

Emergency Child Custody

• When needed: Child in immediate danger, parental kidnapping
• After hours process: Through Friend of the Court emergency line
• Required documentation: Existing custody orders, police reports
• Timeline: Emergency orders typically last 7-14 days until full hearing

CPS Emergency Situations

• Report immediately: 855-444-3911 (24-hour hotline)
• When to call: Child abuse, neglect, abandonment
• What happens next: Investigation within 24 hours for emergencies
• Your rights: Request investigator name and case number

Immediate Warrant Issues

• Outstanding warrants: Can be resolved 24/7 at county jail
• Bench warrants: Must go through issuing court during business hours
• Traffic warrants: Often can be resolved with payment + court costs

⚠️ Remember: For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911 first. These resources are for urgent legal matters that need immediate attention but are not medical or safety emergencies.

Michigan Attorney General (Consumer Protection)

• When to contact: Scams, fraud, unfair business practices
• Phone: 877-765-8388
• Online: mi.gov/ag
• What they handle: Consumer complaints, civil rights violations, charitable organization fraud

Ingham County Prosecutor's Office

• Victim Services: 517-483-6425
• When to contact: Restitution issues, victim rights questions, plea negotiation concerns
• Location: 315 S Jefferson St, Mason, MI 48854
• Services: Victim advocacy, court accompaniment, safety planning

Michigan Secretary of State (License Issues)

• Driver License Problems: 888-767-6424
• When to bypass local: License restoration appeals, medical review hearings
• Online services: michigan.gov/sos
• Local offices: Multiple Ingham County locations for routine services

Department of Health & Human Services

• CPS Appeals: Different from emergency reports
• Benefit Issues: Food assistance, Medicaid, cash assistance
• Phone: 855-275-6424
• When to escalate: Local office not responsive, complex multi-county cases

Michigan Civil Rights Commission

• Discrimination complaints: Housing, employment, public accommodations
• Phone: 517-335-3165
• Timeline: File within 180 days of incident
• Free service: No cost for filing complaints

Free 30-Minute Consultation

• Honest assessment of your situation
• Clear explanation of which court handles your case
• No pressure, just information to help you decide

Payment Plans Available

• 40% down payment, remaining balance over 3-12 months
• Same quality representation regardless of payment method
• Use our online calculator to see exact costs