Terms Used In Michigan Laws 766.1

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Magistrate: means a judge of the district court or a judge of a municipal court. See Michigan Laws 761.1
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • 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
  The state and the defendant are entitled to a prompt examination and determination by the examining magistrate in all criminal causes and it is the duty of all courts and public officers having duties to perform in connection with an examination, to bring it to a final determination without delay except as necessary to secure to the defendant a fair and impartial examination. A district court magistrate appointed under chapter 85 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.8501 to 600.8551, shall not preside at a preliminary examination or accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to an offense or impose a sentence except as otherwise authorized by section 8511(a), (b), or (c) of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.8511.