Jurisdiction

The Court is served by one elected judge. District Judges are elected on non-partisan ballots for terms of six years. The 38th Judicial District Court is a limited jurisdiction court serving the city of Eastpointe. The Court has jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanors, civil cases in which the amount in dispute is $25,000 or less, parking violations, traffic violations and other civil infractions, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims matters. In addition, the Court has initial jurisdiction on criminal felony cases for the purpose of determining probable cause.

Mission

The Mission Statement of the 38th Judicial District Court is to ensure the proper the prompt and fair adjudication of all cases and to improve public confidence in the Courts through accessibility, communication and education.

 Access to Justice
  • Access to Justice requires a trial court to eliminate unnecessary barriers to its services. Such barriers can be geographic, economic, and procedural. 
Expedition and Timeliness
  • Expedition and Timeliness Courts are entrusted with many duties and responsibilities that affect individuals and organizations involved with the judicial system, including litigants, jurors, attorneys, witnesses, criminal justice agencies, social service agencies. 
Equality, Fairness and Integrity
  • These fundamental constitutional principles have particular significance for groups who may have suffered bias or prejudice based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, color, age, handicap, or political affiliation. 
Independence and Accountability
  • Independence and accountability permit government by law, access to justice, and the timely resolution of disputes with equality, fairness, and integrity; and they engender public trust and confidence. Courts must both control their proper functions and demonstrate respect for their coequal partners in government.
Public Trust and Confidence
  • Compliance with law depends, to some degree, on public respect for the court. Ideally, public trust and confidence in trial courts should stem from the direct experience of citizens with the courts.