Dearborn Heights Criminal Defense Lawyer

The 20th District Court on Michigan Avenue hears criminal and traffic cases from Dearborn Heights. Attorney Christopher Brown is a Dearborn Heights criminal defense lawyer and former Detroit police officer who defends clients in this court and throughout Wayne County, from domestic violence and drunk driving charges to serious felonies.

Recent Results in the 20th District Court

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

Child Abuse Charge Amended and Dismissed Under MCL 769.4a — Dearborn Heights

Our client was charged with fourth-degree child abuse, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, after he disciplined his child with a belt. The discipline followed the child’s use of our client’s credit card without permission on two occasions. A friend at school told a counselor, who is a mandatory reporter. We presented all the mitigating circumstances to the prosecutor, and our client completed a parenting class. As a result, the prosecutor amended the charge to domestic violence and agreed to deferral under MCL 769.4a. Our client completed the deferral, and the court dismissed the case. He has no criminal conviction that could have damaged his career and future job opportunities.

20th District Court — Dearborn Heights, Wayne County

See more of our Wayne County and other case results.

The 20th District Court in Dearborn Heights

The 20th District Court handles misdemeanor and felony cases that arise in Dearborn Heights. Misdemeanors stay in this court through sentencing. Felonies start here with arraignment and the preliminary exam, and if the judge binds the case over, it moves to the Third Circuit Court in Detroit.

20th District Court

Address: 25637 Michigan Ave., Dearborn Heights, MI 48125
Phone: (313) 277-7480
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Judges: Judge Mark J. Plawecki and Judge David Turfe
Serves: City of Dearborn Heights
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.

Two Experienced, Fair Judges

Judge Mark J. Plawecki first won election to this court in 1994, at age 33, making him the youngest judge in Dearborn Heights history. Before taking the bench, he spent years doing criminal defense work and also served as the city prosecutor for Hazel Park. As a result, he understands the challenges defense counsel face firsthand. Judge David Turfe joined the court in 2006, after about 16 years in private law practice and service on the Dearborn Heights City Council.

In Attorney Brown’s experience, both judges are fair, have a good judicial temperament, and appreciate well-prepared counsel. For that reason, a Dearborn Heights criminal defense lawyer who comes prepared with the facts, the law, and real mitigation gives the client the best chance at a fair result.

Mitigation Can Change the Outcome

Many cases in this court involve good people facing a single bad moment, such as a family argument, a parenting decision, or a night of poor judgment. In those cases, the right mitigation can make all the difference. In our child abuse case above, mitigating facts and a completed parenting class led the prosecutor to amend the charge and agree to a deferral that ended in dismissal. Michigan’s first-offender deferrals, such as MCL 769.4a for domestic violence, can keep a conviction off your public record when you complete the terms.

Probation and Alternatives to Jail

The court’s probation department prepares presentence reports and conducts substance abuse assessments for the judges. Depending on the case, the judge may order counseling, substance abuse treatment, community service, or a community work program. In addition, the court has a work program director, so a well-prepared request for community work in place of jail time can be a realistic option in the right case.

Unlike some nearby courts, the 20th District Court doesn’t appear on Michigan’s list of sobriety and drug treatment courts. For that reason, a Dearborn Heights criminal defense lawyer should ask early about treatment and supervision options for a client with a substance use problem.

Police Stops and Searches in Dearborn Heights

Attorney Brown served as a Detroit police officer, so he knows how officers are trained to justify a stop, a search, and an arrest. In particular, 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 20th 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 Heights City Attorney’s Office prosecutes charges under a city ordinance. Knowing which office has your case helps your lawyer get the reports and video quickly and negotiate with the right person.

Warrants in Dearborn Heights

If you have a warrant from the 20th District Court, don’t simply show up and hope for release. Instead, the court’s Warrant Collections Division handles these matters by phone at (313) 277-7480. Before you call or go to court, talk to a Dearborn Heights criminal defense lawyer. A lawyer can find out what the warrant is for, arrange a court date, and prepare a bond argument so you’re less likely to sit in jail.

What Happens After an Arrest in Dearborn Heights

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 20th District Court.

Felony cases: A felony starts with arraignment, a probable cause conference, and a preliminary examination in the 20th District Court. 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 Heights

• Domestic violence and assault
• 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
• Retail fraud and other theft charges
• Fleeing and eluding
• Sex crimes
• Probation violations

Also Serving Nearby Communities

Beyond Dearborn Heights, we defend clients in nearby Dearborn, Inkster, Garden City, Redford, and Taylor.

Dearborn Heights Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQ

Which court handles criminal cases from Dearborn Heights?

The 20th District Court on Michigan Avenue. It hears misdemeanor and felony cases from Dearborn Heights. Felony cases start there and, if the judge binds the case over, move to the Third Circuit Court in Detroit.

Can a domestic violence charge be dismissed in Dearborn Heights?

Sometimes. For a first offense, Michigan’s MCL 769.4a deferral can lead to a dismissal with no public conviction after you complete probation. In our child abuse case, the prosecutor amended the charge and agreed to that deferral.

Does the 20th District Court have a work program?

The court’s probation department lists community service and community work programs among the options a judge may order. Whether you qualify depends on your charge and record, so ask a Dearborn Heights criminal defense lawyer early.

Who prosecutes my case in Dearborn Heights?

It depends on the charge. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office prosecutes state charges, including every felony. The Dearborn Heights City Attorney’s Office prosecutes city ordinance violations.

Talk to a Dearborn Heights 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.