Farmington Hills Criminal Defense Lawyer

Arrested or charged with a crime in Farmington Hills or Farmington? Your case will almost certainly begin in the 47th District Court on Eleven Mile Road. You need a Farmington Hills 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 away. Call (248) 468-1468 any time, day or night, for a free consultation.

Recent Result: Charge Dismissed on the Day of Trial in the 47th District Court

Our client was charged with malicious use of a communications device in Farmington Hills. The case rested on the complainant’s statement to police. We found her sworn testimony from a related personal protection order (PPO) hearing, and it contradicted what she had told the officers. On the day of trial, we showed the prosecutor the conflict. The prosecutor moved to dismiss, and the court granted the motion.

Why this matters: Testimony from a PPO hearing, a divorce case, or another proceeding can become powerful evidence in a criminal case. We look for every prior statement a witness has made.

See more of our case results.

The 47th District Court

Farmington Hills and Farmington cases go to:

47th District Court

Address: 31605 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Phone: (248) 871-2900
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Judges: Chief Judge Marla E. Parker and Judge James B. Brady

The 47th District Court serves only two communities: the City of Farmington Hills and the City of Farmington. The court also has attorney magistrates who handle certain hearings. Many hearings can be joined by Zoom, but always confirm with the court or your lawyer before assuming you can appear remotely.

Look up your case on MiCOURT.

Experience in the 47th District Court

We have represented clients in the 47th District Court and know how it runs. We know its procedures and what the court expects at each hearing. That knowledge helps us avoid unnecessary mistakes. It also helps us present each case in the way most likely to be heard. Some cases call for a fight, as our result above shows. Others call for a strong mitigation presentation that shows the court who our client is beyond the charge. We prepare for both.

How a Farmington Hills Criminal Case Moves Through Court

The 47th District Court handles misdemeanors from start to finish. These include drunk driving, retail fraud, domestic violence, and harassment charges. Arraignment, pretrial conference, plea or trial, and sentencing all happen there.

Felony cases also start in the 47th District Court. The court holds the arraignment and the 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.

The judge sets bond conditions at arraignment. The district court stage, before bindover, is often the best chance to challenge weak evidence.

Sentencing Alternatives in the 47th District Court

A conviction does not always mean jail. The 47th District Court offers programs that can change the outcome of a case.

Sobriety Court: Since 2005, the court has run a voluntary Sobriety Court program for people with alcohol- or drug-related offenses. It lasts about 24 months and moves through four phases. Participants receive treatment, regular testing, and life-skills education.

Community Work Program: Since 1986, the court has used community work as an alternative to jail time. Participants complete supervised work in the community instead of serving time in the Oakland County Jail.

Whether these programs are a fit depends on the charge, your record, and the judge. We can tell you if they may be an option in your case.

When a PPO and a Criminal Charge Overlap

Many Farmington Hills cases involve a personal protection order (PPO) as well as a criminal charge. The two cases are separate, but they are connected. What someone says under oath at a PPO hearing can be used in the criminal case, and the reverse is also true.

That cuts both ways. It can help your defense, as it did in our result above. It can also hurt you if you testify without preparing. If you are facing both a PPO and a criminal charge, talk to a lawyer before you say anything in either case.

Charges We Defend in Farmington Hills

• Drunk driving (OWI), including stops on I-696, M-5, Grand River Avenue, Orchard Lake Road, and Northwestern Highway
• Drug crimes
• Assault and domestic violence
• Harassment and telecommunications charges
• Retail fraud and theft
• Sex crimes
• Weapons and CCW charges

Who Investigates Cases in Farmington Hills

The Farmington Hills Police Department makes most arrests in the city. The City of Farmington has its own police department. The Michigan State Police patrol I-696 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.

Choosing a Farmington Hills 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 Farmington Hills 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