Rule 3.952. Designation Hearing

(A) Time. The designation hearing shall be commenced within 14 days after the arraignment, unless adjourned for good cause.

(B) Notice.

(1) A copy of the petition or a copy of the petition and separate written request for court designation must be personally served on the juvenile and the juvenile's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, if the address or whereabouts of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian is known or can be determined by the exercise of due diligence.

(2) Notice of the date, time, and place of the designation hearing must be given to the juvenile, the juvenile's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the attorney for the juvenile, if any, and the prosecuting attorney. The notice may be given either orally on the record or in writing, served on each individual by mail, or given in another manner reasonably calculated to provide notice.

(C) Hearing Procedure.

(1) Evidence. The Michigan Rules of Evidence, other than those with respect to privileges, do not apply.

(2) Burden of Proof. The prosecuting attorney has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the best interests of the juvenile and the public would be served by designation.

(3) Factors to be Considered. In determining whether to designate the case for trial in the same manner as an adult, the court must consider all the following factors, giving greater weight to the seriousness of the alleged offense and the juvenile's prior delinquency record than to the other factors:

(a) the seriousness of the alleged offense in terms of community protection, including, but not limited to, the existence of any aggravating factors recognized by the sentencing guidelines and the use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon;

(b) the culpability of the juvenile in committing the alleged offense, including, but not limited to, the level of the juvenile's participation in planning and carrying out the offense and the existence of any aggravating or mitigating factors recognized by the sentencing guidelines;

(c) the juvenile’s prior record of delinquency that would be a crime if committed by an adult;

(d) the juvenile’s programming history, including, but not limited to, any out-of-home placement or treatment, and the juvenile’s past willingness to participate meaningfully in available programming;

(e) the adequacy of the programming available yo rehabilitate and hold accountable the juvenile in the juvenile justice system and the juvenile’s amenability to treatment;

(f) the dispositional options available for the juvenile;

(g) the juvenile’s developmental maturity, emotional health, and mental health;

(h) if the juvenile is a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe, culturally honoring traditional values of the juvenile’s tribe; and

(i) the impact on any victim.

(D) Grant of Request for Court Designation.

(1) If the court determines that it is in the best interests of the juvenile and the public that the juvenile be tried in the same manner as an adult in the family division of the circuit court, the court must:

(a) Enter a written order granting the request for court designation and

(i) schedule a preliminary examination within 14 days if the juvenile is charged with a felony or an offense for which an adult could be imprisoned for more than one year, or

(ii) schedule the matter for trial or pretrial hearing if the juvenile is charged with a misdemeanor.

(b) Make findings of fact and conclusions of law forming the basis for entry of the order designating the petition. The findings and conclusions may be incorporated in a written opinion or stated on the record.

(E) Denial of Request for Designation. If the request for court designation is denied, the court shall make written findings or place them on the record. Further proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to MCR 3.941-3.944.