What Happens If I Miss My Detroit Blight Hearing?
Category: Legal Strategy
Common Question: "Can I appeal a blight ticket after the date?"
It is the most common story we hear: "I never got the mail, I missed the hearing, and now I owe $5,000."
If you miss your scheduled hearing at the Department of Appeals and Hearings (DAH), you don't just lose the case. You enter a procedural trap known as the Default Judgment.
Question: What is a Default Judgment?
A Default Judgment means you have been found "Responsible" simply because you did not show up.
- The Penalty: The original fine increases by 10% immediately.
- The Status: It becomes a legally enforceable debt owed to the City of Detroit.
Question: Can I Appeal a Default Judgment?
Yes, but there is a strict time limit and a financial barrier. This is the 21-Day Cliff.
You have exactly 21 days from the date of the default to file a form called a "Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment."
The "Cash Bond" Requirement
Here is the catch that shocks most investors: You must pay to fight.
To file the Motion to Set Aside, the DAH generally requires you to post a Cash Bond equal to the total amount of the judgment.
- Example: If you defaulted on a $1,500 dumping ticket + fees ($1,680), you must write a check for $1,680 to the city just to get a new court date.
- Outcome: If you win the retrial, you get the money back. If you lose, the city keeps it.
Question: What happens after 21 days?
If you wait 22 days, the DAH loses jurisdiction. You can no longer file a motion with them. Your only option is to appeal to the Wayne County Circuit Court.
- This requires a filing fee ($175+).
- It requires legal transcripts.
- It usually requires an attorney.
Conclusion: The cost of fixing a missed hearing is often higher than the ticket itself. The only way to avoid the "Bond Trap" is to never miss the initial alert.