Sued in the 52-1 District Court?

The 52-1 District Court is one of the larger divisions in the 52nd District system, employing over 50 full- and part-time staff. The court is organized into four divisions: Civil, Criminal, Traffic, and Probation.

Civil cases — including debt collection lawsuits, landlord-tenant disputes, and damage claims — are heard when the amount in dispute is under $25,000. The court also has a small claims division for cases involving smaller amounts. If a case is filed in small claims, defendants have the option of moving it to the court's general civil division if they wish to be represented by an attorney.

Defendants who have been sued in a civil case — whether for credit card debt, medical bills, or other consumer obligations — generally have 21 days from the date of service to file a written response. This deadline is critical. If no response is filed, the court may enter a default judgment, which can lead to wage garnishment, frozen bank accounts, and a judgment that remains on the record for years.

Hearings at the 52-1 District Court are conducted both in person and via remote technology, depending on the type of case and hearing. Defendants who are unsure whether their hearing is in person or remote should contact the court directly.

Parking is available on-site in the court's lot, and the building is wheelchair accessible. Upon arrival, defendants should check in with the clerk's office and follow posted directions to the appropriate courtroom. The court is located on Grand River Avenue in Novi, near the I-96 corridor — the Suburban Collection Showplace and Twelve Oaks Mall are useful landmarks for first-time visitors.