Defense Attorney in Rochester Hills for the 52-3 District Court

Looking for a criminal defense attorney who regularly practices in the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills? We have an unparalleled track record for achieving extraordinary results!

Michigan Criminal Defense Attorneys - Group

Experience, Reputation, and Track Record Count!

Anyone who has heard of the 52-3 District Court in Rochester has an idea that this is one of the most challenging courts for a defendant facing felony or misdemeanor charges. Rochester Hills judges have well-earned reputations for being harsh with bonds(bail), pleas, probation conditions, and court rulings. The best defense to a harsh judge is a defense lawyer who is well respected, fearless, and tenacious in defense of their client. The defense team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C., has decades of experience successfully defending clients charged in the Rochester District Court. If you are looking for a strong, fearless defense attorney in Rochester Hills, you are in the right place.

The 52nd District Court, 3rd Division, has three judges: Hon. Julie A. Nicholson, Hon. Nancy T. Carniak, and Hon. Lisa L. Asadoorian. The court handles Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills misdemeanor and felony charges arising in Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Angelus, City of Rochester, Villages of Oxford, Lake Orion, and Leonard, Townships of Addison, Oakland, Orion, and Oxford, and the Oakland University campus.

What You Need to Know About Criminal Cases in Rochester Hills

Two types of criminal cases exist in the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are those offenses punishable by one year or less in the Oakland County Jail. Felony charges carry possible sentences exceeding one year. Felony and misdemeanor cases begin with an arraignment hearing. At the arraignment, a judge or magistrate advises the defendant of their charges, accepts a plea (usually not guilty), and sets a bond or bail. The next hearing in a misdemeanor case is called a pretrial conference. The next hearings in a felony matter are a Probable Cause Conference and a Preliminary Examination. Few defense attorneys have the skill, experience, and influence to represent clients in this challenging jurisdiction effectively. The Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. is never intimidated and will always do whatever it takes to achieve the best possible outcome.

Felony and Misdemeanor Charges in the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills

Felony and Misdemeanor Charges in Rochester Hills District Court

Felony and misdemeanor charges start in the 52-3 District Court. Misdemeanor charges are punishable by up to 1 year in Oakland County Jail and up to two (2) years on probation. Common misdemeanor offenses in this jurisdiction include:

Retail Fraud / Shoplifting
Domestic Violence / Domestic Assault
OWI / DUI
DWLS
Assault and Battery and Aggravated Assault
Disorderly Conduct
Larceny
Embezzlement
Drug Possession
Malicious Destruction of Property
Child Abuse
MIP (Minor in Possession)

Felony offenses are those offenses that have statutory maximum punishments that exceed one year. A defendant convicted of a felony may get jail or prison time and probation, which can be for up to 5-years (in some cases, life). Felony charges start in the 52-3 District Court, and if enough evidence justifies a trial, the case is transferred to the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac, Michigan. Common felony offenses in Rochester Hills include:

Retail Fraud / Shoplifting – First Degree
Domestic Violence 3rd Offense
OWI / DUI 3rd Offense
Embezzlement Over $1,000
Larceny/Theft Over $1000
Felonious Assault / Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
Criminal Sexual Conduct
Home Invasion
Malicious Destruction of Property Over $1000
Drug Delivery or Manufacture
Arson
Child Pornography
Weapons Crimes
Credit Card Fraud

Remember, just because a charge carries a possible jail sentence, an experienced, successful defense attorney in Rochester Hills may be able to help you avoid incarceration altogether.

Bond and Probation in Rochester Hills

The 52-3 District Court stands virtually alone in the complicated and tedious bond and probation conditions imposed on defendants. Unrepresented defendants, or those with ineffective lawyers, are frequently given a high cash bond at arraignment. For those defendants released on bail, the bond conditions are usually expensive, time-consuming, and frequently cause significant interference with personal, family, and work commitments. Probation conditions in Rochester are notoriously harsh. Violations of bond and probation are often based on minor technical violations. The Rochester judges rarely excuse even the most trivial or inconsequential mistakes unless a strong, seasoned defense lawyer is involved.

A Top Defense Attorney in Rochester Hills Can Help with a Probation Violation

Defendants accused of violating probation in the 52-3 District Court should be concerned about a sentence that includes significant incarceration in the Oakland County Jail. These judges often rush to judgment, default to punishment, and fail to consider rehabilitative measures thoughtfully. People make mistakes, and just because someone failed to make a timely payment or was late for a drug/alcohol test doesn’t mean their lives should be destroyed. Common probation violation allegations include:

delinquent payment of fines, costs, or restitution,
late or missed drug/alcohol test,
failure to seek full-time employment or education,
new criminal activity or arrest,
positive or dilute alcohol or drug sample, or
missing one or more probation appointments.

If you face a probation violation allegation, all hope is not lost. We know how to present a credible factual, legal, and equitable defense. If we cannot get the probation violation allegation dismissed, our Rochester Hills defense lawyers will do everything possible to persuade these challenging judges to focus on rehabilitation and understanding rather than castigation and imprisonment. By putting our decades of experience behind you, you stand the best chance of a fair and equitable outcome.

Defense Attorneys in Rochester Hills

The 52-3 District Court attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have decades of experience practicing and winning in Rochester Hills. Rochester Hills judges respect our lawyers because they know we will not get pushed around; we are well-prepared and highly knowledgeable in the law. Whether a case needs to be settled, tried, or dismissed, we will do everything possible to achieve an extraordinary outcome for the client. Call us for a free consultation, and we will take the time to talk with you, answer your questions, and work with you to develop a winning strategy. 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.