Personal Attention.
Police Insight.
Powerful Defense.
Police Insight.
Powerful Defense.
Michigan Felony and Misdemeanor Lawyer
Christopher Brown is a Michigan felony lawyer and former police officer who also defends misdemeanor charges. From our Troy office, he represents clients in district and circuit courts across Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties.
Michigan Felony Lawyer for Felony and Misdemeanor Charges
Defending Your Rights. Safeguarding Your Future.
If you are confronted with criminal charges in Michigan, your liberty, record, and reputation are at stake. Attorney Christopher Brown delivers vigorous and strategic defense for clients facing any criminal accusation. Whether dealing with minor misdemeanors or the gravest felonies, he is fully prepared to advocate for you in court and negotiate effectively outside it.
This page focuses on felony and misdemeanor charges. For an overview of Oakland County’s courts and how we defend every type of case, visit our Oakland County criminal defense lawyer page.
Practice Areas
DUI/OWI Defense
- Drunk driving (first, second, and felony OWI)
- High Bac (“super drunk”) charges
- Implied-consent hearings
- Recent result: Felony Third-Offense OWI Dismissed — Farmington Hills
Drug Crimes
- Possession, intent to deliver, and trafficking
- Prescription fraud and controlled substances
- Marijuana and narcotics cases
- Recent result: 20-Year Felony Dismissed; Case Ultimately Dismissed Under 7411 — Pontiac
Violent Crimes
- Assault and battery
- Homicide, manslaughter, and attempted murder
- Felonious assault and assault with a dangerous weapon
- Recent result: First-Degree Home Invasion Dismissed — Westland
Domestic Violence
- Domestic assault and aggravated domestic violence
- No-contact orders and bond conditions
- Protecting your gun rights and your record
- Recent result: Aggravated Domestic Violence Reduced, Then Dismissed Under 769.4a — Rochester Hills
Weapons & Firearms
- Carrying a concealed weapon (CCW)
- Felony firearm and felon-in-possession charges
- Challenging the stop, the search, and the evidence
- Recent result: Felony CCW Reduced to a Civil Infraction — Waterford
Theft & Property Crimes
- Retail fraud (shoplifting)
- Burglary and home invasion
- Embezzlement and fraud
- Forgery and identity theft
- Recent result: Felony Retail Fraud Dismissed — Oakland County Circuit Court
Sex Crimes
- Criminal sexual conduct (CSC charges)
- Internet and computer sex crimes
- Child pornography accusations
- Sexual assault defense
- Recent result: CSC Fourth-Degree Charge Resolved With a Non-Registry Misdemeanor — Oakland County Circuit Court
Juvenile Defense
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- School-related offenses
- Underage drinking and drug cases
- Recent result: School Weapon Charge Dismissed Through the Consent Calendar — Oakland County
Criminal Investigations
- Focus/target of any state agency investigation
- Detective calls and interview requests
- Warrant requests and pre-charge advocacy
- Search warrants, pretext calls, and polygraph requests
- Recent result: Assault & Battery Investigation — Prosecutor Denied the Warrant Request (Macomb County)
Probation Violations
- Felony and misdemeanor probation violations
- Soberlink, EtG, and drug test violations
- Probation violation warrants
- Recent result: Felony OWI Probation Violation: Probation Extended, No Jail — Oakland County Circuit Court
Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Guidance From a Michigan Felony Lawyer
In Michigan, most misdemeanors carry up to 93 days or up to one year in county jail. A felony carries more than one year and can mean state prison. Some charges, called high court misdemeanors, carry up to two years and are handled much like felonies.
Every Michigan felony case starts in the local district court, where the court holds the arraignment and the preliminary examination. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is bound over to the county’s circuit court, such as the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac. Misdemeanor cases usually stay in district court from start to finish.
A felony conviction can affect your job, housing, professional license, and gun rights. That is why you want a Michigan felony lawyer involved before the preliminary exam, which is often the best early chance to challenge the evidence.
Why Choose Christopher Brown as Your Michigan Felony Lawyer?
- Proven Courtroom Experience– extensive trial and motion practice in Michigan Courts. High dismissal rate.
- Strategic, Aggressive Defense– every case is approached with a tailored plan. In addition, we are proactive and don’t wait for the prosecution to act first.
- Accessible & Responsive– clear communication and direct attorney contact. Also, I will be the attorney to handle your matter from start to finish.
- Comprehensive Representation– handles any criminal charge, at any stage.
In general, the sooner you hire a defense attorney, the more options you preserve.
Every practice area on this page is backed by a detailed guide with Michigan law, real case results, and answers to common questions. For a full overview of how we defend clients across the county, visit our Oakland County criminal defense lawyer page.
Put a Top Cop To Work for You
Also, our firm can handle a variety of cases and fight to reduce or even dismiss misdemeanor or felony charges! From day one, we work to pursue the very best outcome for each client. Because no two cases are alike, we put a great deal of time and effort into providing a customized defense for each case. For example, we investigate the circumstances surrounding your charges and exploit any weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence.
In short, let our years of experience work for you. No matter if you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County, Washtenaw County, Monroe County, or anywhere in the Metro-Detroit area, call today for a free consultation and case evaluation. Payment plans are available. Our expert criminal staff have decades of experience in a wide variety of criminal matters including the following:
- Misdemeanor or felony offense
- DUI
- Gun or weapon charges
- Domestic violence
- Drug possession or sales
- Assault and battery
- Traffic tickets
- License restoration
- Probation or parole violations
- Bond hearings
- Criminal expungements
- Retail Fraud
- Violent crimes
- Juvenile offenses
Recent Dismissals by Our Michigan Felony Lawyer
Carrying a Concealed Weapon (Felony) Dismissed – 52-4 District Court, Troy
Police stopped the wrong vehicle. Because the stop was unlawful, the court suppressed the evidence and dismissed the case. Read more on our Troy criminal defense lawyer page.
Fleeing and Eluding, Third Degree (Felony) Dismissed – 44th District Court, Royal Oak
The officer’s identification of our client did not hold up against his own testimony and the patrol car video, and the case was dismissed at the preliminary exam. Read more on our Royal Oak criminal defense lawyer page.
Tips on How To Respond to an Arrest
An arrest is a stressful and confusing experience. If you or a loved one has been in this situation, it’s important that you know how to conduct yourself in order to have a better chance at a dismissal of charges or lighter sentence. The most important thing to remember is to get in contact with a trusted and experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
What not to do during and after an arrest:
- Don’t argue that you are innocent. After all, the more you say, the more that could be twisted and held against you. Wait until you can speak with a lawyer to make your side of the story heard.
- Don’t run away from law enforcement. In fact, running away from law enforcement will only make things worse. You may experience a more forceful arrest as a result.
- Don’t talk more than is necessary. Again, anything you say could be misconstrued to mean that you are guilty. Speak as little as possible until you are able to explain your case to your lawyer.
- Don’t resist arrest. Do not push away or otherwise resist an officer who is attempting to arrest you. As a result, this could mean additional charges.
Why Hire a Michigan Felony Lawyer Early?
A felony case moves fast. The preliminary examination often happens within weeks of arraignment, and it is your best early chance to challenge the evidence. An experienced Michigan felony lawyer can also fight for reasonable bond and push for a dismissal or reduced charge. We represent clients throughout the county, including in Troy, Rochester Hills, and Royal Oak. You can check upcoming court dates with the Michigan courts’ MiCOURT case search. Call (248) 468-1468 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Michigan Felony Lawyer FAQs
Can a felony charge be reduced to a misdemeanor?
Often, yes. Depending on the evidence and your record, we may be able to negotiate a reduction to a misdemeanor, win a dismissal at the preliminary exam, or qualify you for a program such as HYTA or a deferral that keeps a conviction off your public record.
What happens at a preliminary examination?
The prosecutor must show the judge probable cause that a felony was committed and that you committed it. We cross-examine the officers and witnesses under oath, and weak cases can be dismissed or reduced at this stage.
Can a felony be set aside (expunged) in Michigan?
Many can. Michigan law allows many felony convictions to be set aside after a waiting period, though some offenses don’t qualify. Call us to review your record and your options.
Will I go to prison for a first-time felony?
Not necessarily. Michigan’s sentencing guidelines, your record, and the facts all matter, and many first-time felony cases can end without prison. Getting a lawyer involved early gives you the most options.
Which court will my felony case be in?
Felony cases start in the district court for the city or township where the offense allegedly happened, such as the 52-4 District Court in Troy, the 44th District Court in Royal Oak, or the 46th District Court in Southfield. Arraignment on the complaint and the preliminary examination take place there. If the case is bound over, it moves to the county’s circuit court, such as the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac, for trial or resolution.
What if I haven’t been charged yet, but police want to talk to me?
Call a lawyer before you answer any questions. Many cases are decided before charges are ever filed, when police send a warrant request to the prosecutor. Learn what to do if a detective contacts you on our criminal investigations page.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes. We offer free consultations and are available 24/7. We can meet in person at our Troy office or virtually, and we accept credit cards and offer payment plans. Call (248) 468-1468 or contact us online.
Communities We Serve in Oakland County and Metro Detroit
From our Troy office, Attorney Brown defends felony and misdemeanor cases in every Oakland County district court and in the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac. We also represent clients in Macomb and Wayne Counties.
Learn more about local courts and results in your community: