The Misdemeanor Arraignment Process in Michigan District Courts: Journeying Beyond Citizen Rights and Searching for Legal Undertanding

Author

Jerusha Smith

Date of Defense

Spring 4-26-1997

Department

Political Science

First Advisor

David Houghton, Political Science

Second Advisor

Joseph Reish

Keywords

justice, plea bargaining, Michigan District Courts, misdemeanor

Abstract

Michigan District Courts handle a variety of cases yet, the focus of this paper is the misdemeanor arraignment process. With hundreds of citizens flowing through the Courts 365 days a year, the Courts proclaim that they provide justice to those citizens in need. "Justice," is the means of reaching a Constitutional goal of a speedy arraignment. Examining case studies, this paper looks at how in many cases, justice is exchanged for time.

Recommended Citation

Smith, Jerusha, "The Misdemeanor Arraignment Process in Michigan District Courts: Journeying Beyond Citizen Rights and Searching for Legal Undertanding" (1997). Honors Theses. 624.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/624

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only