Gray v. Recorder's Court Judges

Plaintiffs instituted a class action on behalf of all indigent persons convicted since June 13, 1972, of misdemeanor offenses committed within the City of Detroit, which carry a penalty of not more than 3 months in jail and/or a fine of not more than $100. The individually-named plaintiffs were convicted of one such misdemeanor during July 1972.

The plaintiffs claim that the defendant judges, acting in their judicial capacity as magistrates in Recorder’s Court, have denied plaintiffs their constitutional rights by failing to advise them of their right to counsel, their right to jury trial, the…