Dearborn Criminal Defense Lawyer

The 19th District Court on Michigan Avenue hears criminal and traffic cases from Dearborn. Attorney Christopher Brown is a Dearborn criminal defense lawyer and former Detroit police officer who defends clients in this court and throughout Wayne County, from retail fraud and drunk driving charges to serious felonies.

Recent Results in the 19th District Court

Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Felony Larceny Dismissed at the Preliminary Exam — Dearborn

Our client, a longtime family friend of the complainant, was charged with felony larceny of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. The prosecution alleged that when he stopped by the family’s home to use the restroom, he took $12,000 in cash from an upstairs bedroom closet, and that he knew the money was there from past visits. At the preliminary exam, we showed that more than one person was in the house that day and that the complainant didn’t notice the money missing until the next day. Because the charge rested on pure speculation, the court accepted our argument and dismissed the case at the exam.

19th District Court — Dearborn, Wayne County

Indecent Exposure Charge Dismissed — Dearborn

Our client, a professional, was charged with indecent exposure. After we gave the prosecutor additional information, the prosecutor took the case under advisement and dismissed it within 60 days.

19th District Court — Dearborn, Wayne County

See more of our Wayne County and other case results.

The 19th District Court in Dearborn

The 19th District Court handles misdemeanor and felony cases that arise in Dearborn. Misdemeanors stay in this court through sentencing, while felonies stay through the preliminary exam. Three judges and three magistrates handle the court’s dockets.

19th District Court

Address: 16077 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126
Phone: (313) 943-2060
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Judges: Chief Judge Sam Salamey, Judge Mark Somers, and Judge Gene Hunt
Magistrates: Ali Hammoud, Mohamad Bazzi, and Doraid B. Elder
Serves: City of Dearborn
Case lookup: Search your case on MiCOURT, Michigan’s statewide case search.

Court details can change, so check the court’s website or call before your court date.

Judges With Diverse Backgrounds

The three judges of the 19th District Court came to the bench from very different paths. Chief Judge Sam Salamey served as a city prosecutor for Garden City and Romulus and then spent 14 years as this court’s magistrate before his election in 2012. Judge Mark Somers practiced civil and criminal law for nearly 20 years before taking the bench in 2003, and he presided over Dearborn’s drug court for ten years. Judge Gene Hunt, a Marine veteran, spent more than 20 years as a court-appointed defense attorney in this court before his election in 2016.

In Attorney Brown’s experience, all three judges are fair, they allow you to be heard, and they appreciate preparation. As a result, a well-prepared Dearborn criminal defense lawyer can make a real difference in how your case is resolved.

Retail Fraud and Theft Cases at Fairlane Town Center

Fairlane Town Center draws shoppers from across Metro Detroit, and like most large malls, it has its share of crime. In particular, retail fraud and theft accusations from Fairlane and nearby stores make up a steady part of this court’s docket. Store security reports, video, and loss-prevention statements often drive these cases, and they don’t always tell the whole story. A first-offense retail fraud charge can often be resolved without a lasting conviction, but a theft conviction can follow you into job and school applications.

Police Stops and Searches in Dearborn

Attorney Brown served as a Detroit police officer, so he knows how officers are trained to justify a stop, a search, and an arrest. Police need reasonable suspicion to stop you and probable cause to arrest you. When the report and the video don’t match, or the stop wasn’t lawful, a lawyer can challenge the evidence. If a detective has contacted you before any charge, learn what to do before you talk.

Who Prosecutes Your Case

In the 19th District Court, the prosecutor depends on how you were charged. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office handles state prosecutions, including every felony case. The Dearborn City Attorney’s Office prosecutes charges under a city ordinance. Knowing which office has your case helps your Dearborn criminal defense lawyer get the reports and video quickly and negotiate with the right person.

Treatment Courts in Dearborn

The 19th District Court runs two treatment courts in-house. Both offer treatment and close supervision in place of a standard sentence for eligible clients.

Hybrid DWI/Drug Treatment Court: Established in 2019, this program combines judicial monitoring, treatment, testing, and probation supervision. Judges Hunt and Somers preside. It’s a substantial commitment designed for people with a serious substance use problem, so it isn’t an automatic option for every drunk driving charge. Screening comes first.

Veterans Treatment Court: Judge Hunt presides over this program, which pairs judicial oversight with volunteer mentors and VA resources. Veteran status alone doesn’t guarantee admission.

Warrants and Virtual Court Appearances

To resolve a warrant in Dearborn, you must appear at the court in person between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. with a valid photo ID, and the court may require a cash bond. Before you go, talk to a lawyer about arranging the surrender and preparing for bond.

The court also holds some hearings by Zoom. If your hearing notice allows a virtual appearance, you must join from a private, quiet location. The court doesn’t allow appearances from a car or a public place.

What Happens After an Arrest in Dearborn

Misdemeanor cases: After arraignment, the next date is usually a pretrial conference, where many cases resolve. Cases that don’t settle move to motions or trial in the 19th District Court.

Felony cases: A felony starts with arraignment, a probable cause conference, and a preliminary examination in the 19th District Court. As our larceny case shows, the preliminary exam can end a weak case early. If the judge binds the case over, it moves to the Third Circuit Court at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center in Detroit.

Charges We Defend in Dearborn

• Retail fraud and other theft charges
• Drunk driving and OWI, including felony third-offense OWI
• Weapons and firearm charges, including gun charges at Detroit Metro Airport
• Drug possession and possession with intent to deliver
• Domestic violence and assault
• Fleeing and eluding
• Sex crimes
• Probation violations

Also Serving Nearby Communities

Beyond Dearborn, we defend clients in nearby Dearborn Heights, Allen Park, Melvindale, and Westland.

Dearborn Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQ

Where is the Dearborn district court?

The 19th District Court is at 16077 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. It hears criminal and traffic cases from the City of Dearborn. Felony cases start there and, if the judge binds the case over, move to the Third Circuit Court in Detroit.

How do I take care of a warrant in Dearborn?

You must appear at the court in person between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. with a valid photo ID, and the court may require a cash bond. Before you go, a Dearborn criminal defense lawyer can help you plan the surrender and prepare for bond.

Can I appear in Dearborn court by Zoom?

Sometimes. Follow your hearing notice. If it allows a virtual appearance, you must join from a private, quiet location, not from a car or a public place.

Does the 19th District Court have a treatment court?

Yes. The court runs a Hybrid DWI/Drug Treatment Court and a Veterans Treatment Court. However, admission depends on screening, so ask about these options early.

Talk to a Dearborn Criminal Defense Lawyer

• Former Detroit police officer who knows how police build a case, and where it falls apart
• Assigned counsel in Wayne County Circuit Court from 2009 to 2020
• Licensed in Michigan since 2008, with experience before every district court judge in Wayne County
• Free consultations, available 24/7, in person at our Troy office or virtually
• Credit cards accepted and payment plans available

Call (248) 468-1468 or contact us online.