47th District Court in Farmington Hills, Michigan

The 47th District Court serves the cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills, Michigan. The court handles minor civil matters, misdemeanors, and the initial hearings in all felony cases.

47th District Court Defense Attorney Farmington Hills

The Farmington Hills District Court

The 47th District Court in Farmington Hills is located at 31605 West Eleven Mile Road. Its jurisdiction is the cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills. All traffic, misdemeanors, and felony offenses in Farmington and Farmington Hills start there. Two judges work in the 47th District Court. Each judge has a reputation for fairness and moderation. The court staff and judges make the 47th District Court a venue where a defendant can receive a fair hearing, provided they have well-qualified, prepared legal counsel.

The Civil Division is responsible for handling landlord-tenant cases, civil claims, and lawsuits with a value of up to $25,000. Generally, the 47th District Court has jurisdiction if the defendant resides or conducts business in the City of Farmington or Farmington Hills.

Misdemeanors in the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills

The 47th District Court handles misdemeanors arising in Farmington Hills and the City of Farmington. The most common charges include the following:

domestic violence,
assault and battery,
disorderly person,
drunk driving (OWI, DUI, OWVI, etc.),
driving on a suspended driver’s license (DWLS),
larceny in a building,
theft and fraud misdemeanors,
malicious destruction of property,
retail fraud (shoplifting), and more.

Misdemeanors include all local and state charges with a maximum possible penalty of one year in the Oakland County Jail or less. The maximum period of probation is two (2) years. The first hearing in a misdemeanor case is the arraignment. At the arraignment, the judge informs the defendant of the charges and sets a bond, which can be personal recognizance, 10% cash, or a surety bond. After the arraignment, the court schedules misdemeanor cases for a pretrial conference. At the pretrial, the defense lawyer and prosecutor discuss possible resolutions (called a plea bargain), dismissal, and whether there will be a bench or jury trial. A defense attorney is essential when someone faces a criminal charge to secure a low or personal bond, minimize charges, reduce any potential sentence, and fight for a dismissal of the case.

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Farmington Hills Felony Charges

The initial hearings of felony cases arising in Farmington Hills or the City of Farmington start in the 47th District Court. The initial appearance is referred to as an arraignment. At the felony arraignment, a defendant will either self-surrender on an arrest warrant or the police will take the defendant into custody to court. Having a top defense lawyer present at the arraignment is vital, as it ensures the defendant does not receive a high bond and subsequently remain in custody pending the outcome of the case.

What is a Probable Cause Conference in the 47th District Court?

After the arraignment, the court will schedule the felony case for a Probable Cause Conference (PCC) and a Preliminary Examination. The PCC must occur within seven (7) days of the arraignment. At the PCC, the defense lawyer and state prosecutor will discuss the need for a preliminary examination, discovery issues, potential motion practice, and other relevant matters. Sometimes, the prosecutor and defense might agree on a plea bargain to reduce the felony charge to a misdemeanor. If the judge or prosecutor reduces a felony to a misdemeanor, the defendant enters a plea, and the judge schedules a sentencing hearing. The most aggressive lawyers fight for the dismissal of charges from the very first hearing date.

What happens at a preliminary examination?

If the case doesn’t get resolved or dismissed, it proceeds to a Preliminary Examination, which is similar to an evidentiary hearing. At the exam, the prosecutor must present witnesses and evidence to prove that the defendant committed a felony. The judge transfers the case to the Oakland County Circuit Court for further proceedings and, possibly, trial if the prosecutor introduces evidence of the defendant’s guilt to a probable cause standard. The judge will dismiss the case if the prosecutor fails to produce sufficient evidence.

What are the felony cases handled in the 47th District Court?

The felony offenses heard in the 47th District Court include any of the following:

What You Need to Know About Avoiding Jail and Convictions in the 47th District Court

The judges in Farmington Hills have a reputation for being fair but stern. They will consider programs, such as 7411 for first-time drug offenses, the Domestic Violence Statute (MCL 769.4a), and the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) for young offenders. This court also has a Sobriety Court Program designed to help people with substance abuse problems. Assuming a lawyer can persuade a 47th District Court judge to consider a remedial statute, such as the ones mentioned above, a defendant can avoid a conviction and jail, even when all hope seems lost.

Probation Department for the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills

The Probation Department performs presentence interviews and investigations and oversees individuals sentenced to supervision in the 47th District Court. Most probation officers meet with probationers on a monthly basis, assisting the defendant in securing entry into therapy, community service, and treatment programs, and verifying the defendant’s compliance with all aspects of the judge’s sentencing order.

47th District Court Probation Violations

The Farmington Hills judges tend to be reasonable when sentencing a misdemeanor offender; however, they often impose stiff jail sentences for probation violations. Unfortunately, even well-intentioned and honorable people make mistakes. We are all human, after all. An order of probation can have several complicated, confusing terms and conditions. The slightest mistake or misunderstanding can result in incarceration. Working with a qualified, experienced defense lawyer is essential for anyone facing a probation violation in the 47th District Court.

The Judges in Farmington Hills

Judge Marla E. Parker

She has been a Judge of the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills since 2002. Before her election to the bench, Judge Parker was a magistrate for the Court and maintained a private law practice in Farmington Hills. She has served as the Court’s chief judge on several occasions. Judge Parker is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA), the Women’s Bar Association, the National Association of Women Judges, and the American Bar Association. She is a past president of the Oakland County District Judges Association and is a former member of the OCBA Board of Directors. She is a frequent speaker at seminars for new lawyers and has also been a faculty member for the Michigan Judicial Institute’s new judges seminar. Judge Parker holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School.

Judge James E. Brady

He was elected district judge in November 2002 and began his first six-year term on January 1, 2003. He served two years as the Court’s chief judge from 2004 to 2005. Before Judge Brady’s election to the bench, he served the Court for 17 years as a magistrate, appointed in 1986 by Judge Margaret Schaeffer. He also served as an assistant prosecutor for Oakland County from 1980 to 1984 and practiced law in private practice from 1984 to 2002. He earned a Bachelor of General Studies degree in 1975 from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor in 1979 from Wayne State University Law School.

Defense Attorneys With a Track Record of Success

The attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. frequently appear before the 47th District Court judges. The court staff and judges respect our lawyers’ integrity, experience, and professionalism. Our attorneys come to court prepared and ready to defend our clients, and the judges appreciate that. Judges and prosecutors know that when one of the attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. appears in the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills, they are there to win.

We take our responsibility of representing clients and protecting their rights seriously. Our attorneys have dedicated their entire professional careers to ensuring the government is held accountable and not allowed to take shortcuts in its prosecutions. If you are facing criminal charges, you need the best legal help available. LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. is that help. We are not afraid to win!

Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.