Criminal Division - Felony

When a defendant is arrested, he or she must be arraigned on the charge within 48 hours.  The defendant is brought for an arraignment in front of a judge or magistrate to be informed of the charges and for bond to be set. 

After arraignment, the case is assigned to a judge and a preliminary exam must be held within 14 days of the arraignment date.  At preliminary exam the judge is responsible for determining if the State has shown probable cause that a crime has been committed and that the defendant committed the crime.  If the judge finds probable cause, the case is bound over, transferred, to the Oakland County Circuit Court for trial proceedings.