Clarkston Criminal Defense Lawyer

Arrested or charged with a crime in Clarkston or Independence Township? Your case will almost certainly be heard in the 52-2 District Court on Lorac Drive. You need a Clarkston criminal defense lawyer who knows that court. Attorney Christopher Brown has represented clients in Oakland County courts since 2008, and his Troy office is a short drive up I-75. Call (248) 468-1468 any time, day or night, for a free consultation.

Recent Result: Failure to Register as a Sex Offender Charge Dismissed

Our client was required to register under Michigan’s Sex Offenders Registration Act because of a prior conviction. He was charged with failing to register, a felony. The officer in charge built the case on a single witness’s account. However, the officer never interviewed the people who actually lived in our client’s home.

We did. Our office interviewed every witness and made sure each one would be available to testify. Once the full picture was clear, the charge was dismissed.

Why this matters: Registry cases often turn on where a person actually lives. A thorough defense investigation, including interviewing every witness the police skipped, can be the difference between a felony conviction and a dismissal.

See more of our case results.

The 52-2 District Court

Clarkston cases go to:

52nd District Court, 2nd Division

Address: 5850 Lorac Drive, Clarkston, MI 48346
Phone: (248) 625-4880
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Judges: Judge Joseph G. Fabrizio and Judge Kelley Renae Kostin

The 52-2 District Court serves a large part of northern Oakland County: the City of the Village of Clarkston; Independence, Springfield, White Lake, Brandon, Holly, Groveland, and Rose townships; and the villages of Holly and Ortonville.

Look up your case on MiCOURT.

Experience in the 52-2 District Court

Christopher Brown appears in the 52-2 District Court and knows how it runs. The bench here is fair and well prepared, and it expects the same from the lawyers in front of it. Attorneys who come in organized, punctual, and respectful of the record do their clients the most good. We come prepared for every hearing, from arraignment to sentencing. As our result above shows, that preparation starts long before court, with our own investigation.

Treatment Courts at the 52-2 District Court

The 52-2 District Court runs three treatment programs. Each one combines treatment, frequent check-ins with the judge, and close probation supervision.

Sobriety Court: This certified program serves high-risk drunk driving cases, such as a repeat OWI or a first OWI with a blood alcohol level of .17 or higher. Some participants may qualify for a restricted license with an ignition interlock.

Mental Health Court: This program links people with serious mental illness or developmental disorders to treatment, with the goal of reducing jail time and repeat offenses.

Veterans Treatment Court: The North Oakland Veterans Treatment Court serves veterans with mental health or substance use issues. It offers treatment, veteran services, and peer mentoring.

Each program has its own eligibility rules. We can tell you whether one may be an option in your case.

How a Clarkston Criminal Case Moves Through Court

The 52-2 District Court handles misdemeanors from start to finish. These include drunk driving, retail fraud, and domestic violence charges. Arraignment, pretrial conference, plea or trial, and sentencing all happen there.

Felony cases also start in the 52-2 District Court, with an arraignment and a preliminary examination. If the judge binds the case over, it moves to the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac. Learn more about Oakland County criminal defense and the Circuit Court process.

For a Clarkston criminal defense lawyer, the district court stage is often the best chance to challenge weak evidence.

Charges We Defend in Clarkston

• Drunk driving (OWI), including stops on I-75, M-15, Dixie Highway, and Sashabaw Road, and after concerts at Pine Knob Music Theatre
• Drug crimes
• Assault and domestic violence
• Sex offender registration violations and sex crimes
• Retail fraud and theft
• Weapons and CCW charges

Who Investigates Cases in Clarkston and Northern Oakland County

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office polices much of the area, including Clarkston and Independence Township. White Lake Township and the Village of Holly have their own police departments. The Michigan State Police patrol I-75 and the area’s other highways.

As a former Detroit police officer (1996–2003), Christopher Brown knows how officers write reports and run investigations, and where those investigations go wrong.

Also Serving Independence, White Lake, and Nearby Communities

Because they share the 52-2 District Court, we also defend clients charged in Independence Township, White Lake, Springfield Township, Brandon Township, Ortonville, Holly, Groveland Township, and Rose Township.

Choosing a Clarkston Criminal Defense Lawyer

• Former Detroit police officer
• Assigned counsel in Oakland and Wayne County Circuit Courts from 2009 to 2020
• Licensed in Michigan since 2008
• Free consultations, available 24/7
• Virtual meetings, credit cards, and payment plans accepted

Learn more about Attorney Christopher Brown, or visit our Metro Detroit criminal defense lawyer home page.

Talk to a Clarkston criminal defense lawyer today. Call (248) 468-1468 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Get directions to our office: 755 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 2020, Troy, MI 48084