City of Chelsea holds first municipal court

The Chelsea Municipal Court is officially in session. The city of Chelsea held its first municipal court Monday, Dec. 18, in Chelsea City Hall.

“This is a historic moment for the city of Chelsea because this is our first municipal court ever,” said Judge Jeff Hester, as he introduced himself and other members of the court.

Hester informed everyone present that they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise, that all individuals had the right to an attorney or could choose to represent themselves, and that a public defender would be provided to individuals who could not afford an attorney.

The docket included multiple cases involving offenses ranging from speeding or lack of insurance to an expired car tag. As individuals’ names were called, they were able to approach the bench and plea guilty or not guilty. Some individuals had their cases continued to the next court date.

For some individuals, Hester passed along information regarding driving school. After completing driving school and presenting the court with a certificate, a traffic ticket may be dismissed, Hester said.

In addition to the individuals with cases before the court, some individuals sat in the room as observers for the city’s first municipal court.

The Chelsea municipal court will hear misdemeanor and municipal court offenses. It is set to meet the third Monday of each month, starting at 4 p.m.