Scottville man arraigned on strangulation charges.

Depue

Scottville man arraigned on strangulation charges.

#MasonCountyCrime.

LUDINGTON — Timothy A. Depue, 29, of 105 W. First St., Scottville, was arraigned in 79th District Court Monday on the charges of assault by strangulation and domestic violence. The charges stem from an incident that took place early morning Sunday, Jan. 28, in the 2000 block of 34th Street of Sherman Township. Depue was arrested by Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Sheriff Kim Cole said Depue was in a dating relationship with the alleged victim.

Domestic assault-strangulation is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine. Domestic violence is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 7 in  79th District Court. A preliminary examination is scheduled for 1:15 a.m. on Feb. 14. Bail was set at $10,000/10%.

Editor’s note: A probable cause conference or hearing is held in felony cases following arraignment. It is a time set for the defense attorney and prosecutor to meet to determine if a preliminary examination will be held or will be waived. The probable cause conference is designed to expedite matters, accept an early plea or resolution to the case, and to preserve victim testimony at the earliest possible stage. During this stage is when the district court judge determines if the case should be bound over to circuit court. The probable cause hearing is often waived, meaning the case goes right to circuit court.

If the matter is not resolved at the probable cause conference, the case continues to proceed in the district court, and a preliminary examination must be held not less than five or more than seven days following the probable cause conference.