Although judges are elected by four separate districts, they serve in panels together, and decisions are binding statewide.
The district courts hears cases involving less serious criminal offenses.
District courts are often responsible for handling the preliminary examination and for setting bail in felony cases.
The Michigan Supreme Court consists of seven members who are elected for staggered eight-year terms.
[4] State appellate court judges are elected to terms of six years, but vacancies are filled by an appointment by the governor.
The Supreme Court is given original, superintending control power, and appellate jurisdiction over the issue of penalty (up to and including removal of judges from office).
[7] The Recorder's Court was a state court of limited jurisdiction which had, for most of its history, exclusive jurisdiction over traffic and ordinance matters and all felony cases committed in Detroit.
It was merged into the Wayne County Circuit Court following the pattern of the rest of the state of Michigan in October 1997.