(1) A defendant who is convicted of a misdemeanor or ordinance violation in a municipal court in a city that does not adopt a resolution of approval under section 23a of the Michigan municipal court act, 1956 PA 5, MCL 730.523, may appeal to the circuit court for a trial de novo even if the sentence has been suspended or the fine or costs, or both, have been paid.
  (2) To appeal by right, the defendant shall file a claim of appeal with the circuit court clerk within 20 days after the entry of judgment. A copy of the claim of appeal shall be filed with the municipal court. All applicable fees required by section 2529 and 6536 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.2529 and 600.6536, shall be paid when filing the claim of appeal. The defendant shall also enter into a recognizance to the people of the state in a sum not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 within 20 days after the entry of the judgment, conditioned upon the defendant prosecuting the appeal to effect and abiding by the orders and judgment of the court. If the defendant enters into a recognizance, the municipal judge from whose judgment the appeal is taken shall discharge the defendant or order the defendant’s discharge, shall make a special return of the proceedings held before the judge, and shall file the complaint, warrant, and the return together with the recognizance with the circuit court.

Terms Used In Michigan Laws 774.34

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Clerk: means the clerk or a deputy clerk of the court. See Michigan Laws 761.1
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Misdemeanor: means a violation of a penal law of this state that is not a felony or a violation of an order, rule, or regulation of a state agency that is punishable by imprisonment or a fine that is not a civil fine. See Michigan Laws 761.1
  • Ordinance violation: means either of the following:
  (i) A violation of an ordinance or charter of a city, village, township, or county that is punishable by imprisonment or a fine that is not a civil fine. See Michigan Laws 761.1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories belonging to the United States; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  •   (3) The practice and procedure for appeals from a municipal court shall be as provided by supreme court rule.