51st District Court Judge Todd A. Fox in Waterford Township
The Waterford District Court is located at 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford Township, Michigan. The court handles all misdemeanor cases and the early stages of felony matters.
The Honorable Todd A. Fox
Judge Todd A. Fox has been a judge in Waterford Township since 2016. As is typical of most judges in Oakland County, Judge Fox runs a “tight ship” and expects litigants and attorneys to be well-prepared, punctual, and respectful of the court. As attorneys who regularly practice before Judge Todd Fox in Waterford, we know he is a thoughtful and considerate judge, yet tough and astutely aware of any nonsense in his courtroom. He is a law-and-order judge who nevertheless typically infuses a sense of compassion and even humor into his rulings.
If you appear before Judge Fox charged with a misdemeanor or felony, you would be well-served to have an attorney beside you who has appeared numerous times before him and knows Judge Fox’s procedures, demeanor, and overall approach to each particular type of case he hears.
Education, professional history, and community involvement
After graduating from Waterford Kettering High School in 1985, Judge Fox went to Grand Valley State University, where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree. He attended Detroit College of Law and received his Juris Doctorate law degree in 1993. After becoming licensed as an attorney, Judge Fox entered private practice (licensed in Michigan and Colorado). He was a real estate broker and an attorney from 1998 to 2016 in Michigan and North Carolina.
Judge Fox served on the Waterford Township Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2008 and has served on numerous local boards in the community. He is a Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce member and belongs to the Oakland County Bar Association, Michigan District Judges Association, and the Oakland County District Judges Association.
Types of criminal cases handled by Judge Fox in Waterford Township
Like Judge Todd Fox in Waterford, District judges handle several types of criminal matters: civil infractions, misdemeanors, and felony preliminary exams. A civil infraction is a ticket such as a traffic ticket. These are not “true” criminal cases, as they do not carry potential jail time. Civil infractions involve a monetary fine, and traffic offenses might result in points on a defendant’s driving record.
Misdemeanors are more serious than civil infractions, as they carry possible jail time of up to 1 year. The judge sets a bond in potential jail cases and then schedules hearings until the case is concluded. Misdemeanor convictions can result in up to 1 year in jail, up to 2 years of probation (sometimes more), thousands of dollars in fines and costs, and much more. Despite popular misconception, misdemeanors stay on a person’s record for life, unless expunged years after the conviction.
The most severe criminal cases district judges handle are felony charges. The portions of the felony case handled in district court are the arraignment, probable cause conference, and preliminary exams. Preliminary exams are evidentiary hearings held in the court having jurisdiction over the city where a crime has allegedly occurred. The district judge’s job is to hear testimony elicited by the prosecutor and decide whether a crime has occurred and whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed it. If the prosecutor meets these burdens, the district judge “binds over” the case to the county circuit court, which has the authority to handle felony cases (cases with a penalty of more than one year in jail). A felony case may be plea-bargained to a misdemeanor in the district court. If a felony is reduced to a misdemeanor, Judge Todd Fox in Waterford will sentence the defendant. If the defense attorney successfully attacks the evidence at the preliminary examination, Judge Fox will dismiss the felony charges.
Examples of misdemeanors cases for which a district court trial may be held:
- 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
Examples of felony cases for which a preliminary exam may be scheduled:
- Felonious Assault
- Retail Fraud 1st Degree
- Home Invasion
- Armed and Unarmed Robbery
- Felony Drug Cases
- Felony Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense
A firm that regularly handles cases in front of Judge Fox
The attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. regularly appear before Judge Fox, and we have had very good experiences in his court. We have a mutually respectful relationship. Judge Fox appreciates preparation and professionalism, and we believe we always meet Judge Fox’s standards.
If you have felony or misdemeanor charges pending before Judge Todd Fox in Waterford, Michigan, call LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. for a free consultation. 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 and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
