The Honorable Laura E. Polizzi has replaced Judge Julie Nicholson.
The Rochester Hills District Court is notorious for tough judges and over-zealous prosecutors. The top defense attorneys who practice in Rochester Hills get the best results.
Judge Julie Nicholson was a judge in the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills
52-3 District Court’s Former Judge Julie Nicholson in Rochester Hills was one of three district court judges at the court in Rochester Hills. She and her companion judges served the communities of Addison Township, Auburn Hills, Lake Angelus, Oakland Township, Orion Township, Oxford Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Village of Lake Orion, Village of Leonard, and Village of Oxford.
Judge Nicholson received a Business Administration/pre-law degree from Michigan State University in 1983 and her Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law in 1987. She was elected to the 52-3 District Court in 1996 and appointed Chief Judge in 2004 by the Michigan Supreme Court. She quit her position with the Court in 2024 and was replaced by the Honorable Laura E. Polizzi.
Types of criminal cases handled by Judge Nicholson
As with all district court judges, Judge Julie Nicholson in Rochester Hills handled all civil infractions (non-criminal matters that carry only a fine), all misdemeanors (cases that carry up to a possible one year in jail), and felony preliminary exams (felony cases are those that carry a possible jail term of more than one year).
A few examples of misdemeanor cases for which a trial may be held are:
- Retail Fraud 2nd and 3rd Degree
- Operating While Intoxicated or Driving Under the Influence 1st and 2nd Offense
- Domestic Violence
- Driving While License Suspended or Revoked
- Misdemeanor Drug Offenses
- Assault and Battery
- Violation of Probation
A few examples of felony cases for which a preliminary exam will be scheduled are:
- Felonious Assault
- Retail Fraud 1st Degree
- Home Invasion
- Armed or Unarmed Robbery
- Serious Drug Offenses
- Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense
Proactive and involved in the community
Judge Julie Nicholson, formerly in Rochester Hills, is involved with or personally started several legal-based programs in the district she presided over. She started the Schools/Critical Life Choices program in 1997, through which she travels to schools in all districts of her jurisdiction. She regularly visits schools and holds actual court hearings. In 2005, she began the “Have to Choose” program, encouraging young students to make appropriate and healthy life decisions. She started the Most Wanted program in 2008, which involves getting the public engaged with looking out for and informing the police about people who are wanted and dangerous to the community.
Judge Julie Nicholson belonged to many professional organizations, many of which she served on the board, and they are almost too numerous to list. A few of them are HAVEN, Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, the Rainbow Connection, the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Detroit Zoological Society Board, the Women’s Foundation, the Rochester/Auburn Hills Coalition for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, and the Oakland County Coordinating Council Against Domestic Violence. Judge Nicholson received numerous awards in appreciation of the activity she has undertaken for the community at large.
Tough, But Fair
Like her former colleagues at the 52-3 District Court, Judge Nicholson was tough on the defendants. Still, ass can be seen by the organizations she belongs to or started; she believes in proactive prevention of substance abuse, which is a universally recognized causal factor in many criminal cases.
Judge Julie Nicholson in Rochester Hills had a zero-tolerance for bond and probation violations. If you were on bond or probation and committed any violations, you can be sure you would have seen her in the near future. She believed you had an agreement with the court and were expected to abide by it. If you broke that agreement, she would demand an immediate explanation, and there were consequences.
Who is Judge Laura E. Polizzi?
Judge Laura E. Polizzi was appointed to the 52-3 District Court by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in May 2024. She brings a diverse and extensive legal background to the bench, having previously been a partner at Polizzi & Medley Law, where she handled cases in areas such as domestic, business, real estate, juvenile, and criminal law. Recognized as a Michigan Rising Star by Super Lawyers from 2018 through 2024, Judge Polizzi has been active in the legal community, serving on the Macomb County Bar Association and the Macomb County Bar Foundation boards.
Judge Polizzi is committed to fair and respectful treatment for all individuals in her courtroom. She resides in Rochester Hills with her family and is fluent in Spanish, allowing her to serve a broader range of clients effectively. Her background and dedication suggest she approaches her judicial role with a strong sense of fairness and justice.
The right law firm to defend against charges in the 52-3 District Court before the Honorable Laura E. Polizzi
Because we appeared before Judge Nicholson so often, the attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. understand the Rochester Hills judges are looking for in a criminal case and what actions a defendant can take outside of the courtroom to address any substance abuse issues they may have. If the 52-3 District Court judges see a defendant is genuinely attempting to rehabilitate themselves through abstinence, treatment, and counseling, they will usually be impressed and be willing to work with such a person in fashioning a fair sentence. LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. has a network of experts, respected counselors, and facilities to refer our clients and get them started on treatment. Call us today for a free consultation. We are your best hope of a great outcome!
If you have a case before the Honorable Laura E. Polizzi, call our Rochester Hills Defense Team at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. We will find a way to help you.
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.
We will find a way to help you.
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