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Disqualification — Refers to the disqualification of a judge from hearing a case. Disqualification
is proper when any interest may impair the ability of a judge to decide the case in a fair and
impartial manner. Disqualification may be voluntary or it may be done on the motion of a party
to the case.
Dissenting Opinion — An opinion written by an appellate judge explaining why he or she
disagrees with the decision reached by the majority of judges considering the case. See also
Concurring Opinion, Majority Opinion.
Distributee — A person that receives a decedent’s property from the decedent’s personal
representative or trust property from the trustee other than as a creditor or purchaser.
Distribution — The division of the residue of an estate among the entitled parties by the order
of the court, after payment of the debts and charges.
District Court — The district court handles most traffic violations, all civil cases with claims up
to $25,000, landlord-tenant matters, most traffic tickets, and all misdemeanor criminal cases
(generally, cases where the accused, if found guilty, cannot be sentenced to more than one year
in jail). In addition, small claims cases are heard by a division of the district court. In Michigan, a
few municipalities have chosen to retain a municipal court rather than create a district court. The
municipal courts have limited powers and are located in Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms,
Grosse Pointe Park, and Grosse Point Shores/Grosse Pointe Woods. Additionally, the district court
is the court in which all adult criminal proceedings begin, regardless of the nature of the offense.
In carrying out this function, the district court issues arrest and search warrants, sets bail, accepts
bonds, conducts arraignments, and presides over preliminary examinations.
Diversion — A decision or program designed to divert offenders from official processing to a less
formal, less adversarial, and more community-based setting.
Divorce — The termination of the legal relationship between a husband and wife.
Docket — A written list of all important acts done in court in an individual case from beginning
to end. This is properly called a “case docket.” The term is often improperly used interchangeably
with “calendar.”
Domestic Abuse — See Domestic Violence.
Domestic Relations Action — A case involving divorce, separate maintenance, annulment of
marriage, affirmation of marriage, paternity, support, or custody of minors or parenting time.
Domestic Violence — An individual who assaults or assaults and batters his or her spouse or
former spouse, an individual with whom he or she has or has had a dating relationship, an
individual with whom he or she has had a child in common, or a resident or former resident of
his or her household, is guilty of domestic violence.
Domicile — The permanent home to which a person, when absent, always intends to return.
See Residence.