Rule 6.615 - Misdemeanor Cases(A) Citation; Complaint; Summons; Warrant.(1) A misdemeanor case may be initiated by one of the following procedures: (a) Subject to the exceptions in MCL 764.9c, service by a law enforcement officer on the defendant of a written citation, and the filing of the citation in the district court. The citation may be prepared electronically or on paper. The citation must be signed by the officer in accordance with MCR 1.109(E)(4); if a citation is prepared electronically and filed with a court as data, the name of the officer that is associated with the issuance of the citation satisfies this requirement.(b) The filing of a sworn complaint in the district court and the issuance of a summons or an arrest warrant.(c) Other special procedures authorized by statute.(2) The citation may serve as a sworn complaint and as a summons to command (a) the initial appearance of the defendant; and(b) for misdemeanor traffic cases, a response from the defendant as to his or her guilt of the violation alleged.(B) Appearances; Failure To Appear. If a defendant fails to appear or otherwise respond to any matter pending relative to a misdemeanor citation issued under MCL 764.9c, the court shall issue an order to show cause. (1) The court may immediately issue a bench warrant, rather than an order to show cause, if the court has a specific articulable reason to suspect that any of the following apply and states it on the record:(a) the defendant has committed a new crime.(b) the defendant's failure to appear is the result of a willful intent to avoid or delay the adjudication of the case.(c) another person or property will be endangered if a warrant is not issued.(2) If a defendant fails to appear or otherwise respond to any matter pending relative to a misdemeanor traffic citation, the court must also initiate the procedures required by MCL 257.321a.(C) Arraignment. An arraignment in a misdemeanor case may be conducted by(1) a judge of the district, or(2) a district court magistrate as authorized by statute and by the judges of the district.(D) Contested Cases. A misdemeanor case must be conducted in compliance with the constitutional and statutory procedures and safeguards applicable to misdemeanors cognizable by the district court.Amended September 18, 2019, effective 1/1/2020.