54B District Court
Online Case Review

East Lansing, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

What is online case review?

It's a way to have a police officer and judge review your traffic ticket without having to come to court for a hearing.

What are the benefits of online case review?

You could get your charge changed to one with no driver's license points. And you can do it online rather than going to court.

How is it different online than in court?

It's not. There's a real judge and law enforcement officer on the other side, making decisions about your case based on the same criteria they would if you went to court in person. It just takes place through this website.

How does it work?

You submit a request online for a reduced charge. If you are eligible, the police officer reviews your request and makes a recommendation to the judge, who then makes the final decision. You get a text or email with the result.

Is there a charge for online case review?

No.

Wouldn't I get a better deal by going to court in person?

No. This website is not “automated.” There's a real judge and law enforcement on the other side, and they make decisions on your case using the same considerations as they would in person. The offer the court extends through this website is the same you'd get in court. It simply takes place through this website.

What is Matterhorn and Court Innovations?

Spun out of the University of Michigan Law School, Court Innovations Inc. is the maker of Matterhorn, this website. Courts license it to interact with the public, so that you have an opportunity to be heard without physically having to go to court! The court provides it as a service to you.

Traffic

Why does the court allow online case review?

Everyone makes mistakes. If you have a good driving record, the judge and police officer may be willing to give you a lesser charge that does not add points to your license.

Why should I care about points on my license?

Having points on your license can raise your insurance rates, subject you to driver responsibility fees, or result in a suspension of your license to drive.

How many days do I have to decide if I want to do online case review?

Eight (8) calendar days. If you wait past 8 days, you are ineligible for the program, and your request will be automatically denied.

What happens if my request is rejected?

You have 10 days to admit responsibility and pay the ticket, deny responsibility and request a hearing, or admit responsibility with a written explanation. More information is on the back of your ticket.

How do I know if I'm eligible?

It depends on your record and other criteria set by the court and law enforcement. Just enter your ticket information and do a search to find out. If you are, submit a request. Whether your request is approved is entirely up to the court and law enforcement.

What does it mean if I am ineligible?

It could mean your ticket is too old, or that you have too many past offenses or open tickets. Try a search. If you are ineligible, we'll tell you why.

If my request is approved, will I still have to pay a fine?

Yes. The fine could change based on the new charge. Either way, you are still responsible for paying it.

How will I know when a decision has been made?

We will email or text you, and we'll update the message on your status page when you come back to the website. As soon as we do, you'll have 10 days to take action on the decision.

I have a ticket that doesn't carry any points, and the fine is lower than for the charge the court might offer. Why would I want that?

Whether or not you want to to proceed with a request is up to you. Keep in mind that certain 0-point charges, like speeding 1-5 over on freeways or other limited access roads, will still get reported to the Michigan Secretary of State. That information is then available to your insurer.

Parking

I want to have my parking ticket reviewed. What information does the judge need from me?

The judge will have the necessary information about your ticket and location. You can provide an explanation of your circumstances for the judge to consider as well.

I recently received a parking ticket. How long do I have to have my ticket reviewed?

You have 14 days. After that a default judgment enters against you, and you cannot request a review.

I was issued a ticket by the Michigan State University Campus Police. Who do I contact to resolve the issue?

Contact MSU Police. Your ticket cannot have an online review.

Once the court tells me the result of my parking ticket review, how long do I have to pay?

Forty-Eight (48) hours from the time you get the results of your review. You can do it online or by mail/in person at 101 Linden St., East Lansing MI 48823.