Livonia Criminal Defense Lawyer

The 16th District Court on Five Mile Road hears criminal and traffic cases from Livonia. Attorney Christopher Brown is a Livonia criminal defense lawyer and former Detroit police officer who defends clients in this court and throughout Wayne County, from drunk driving and suspended license charges to serious felonies.

Recent Results in the 16th District Court

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

Domestic Violence Charge Dismissed, Preserving Military Eligibility — Livonia

Our client was involved in a family argument that turned physical. After reviewing additional information from our office, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the case so our client could remain eligible for military service.

16th District Court — Livonia, Wayne County

Domestic Violence Charge Dismissed on the Trial Date — Livonia

Our client was accused of assaulting his girlfriend after an argument over a social media post. He denied the allegations and set the case for trial. The complainant contradicted herself several times in her police statement, and when she did not appear for trial, the case was dismissed.

16th District Court — Livonia, Wayne County

Probation Violation: Not Guilty After a Hearing — Livonia

The probation officer wrongly accused our client of missing required monthly drug tests. After we reviewed our client’s records and questioned the probation officer at the hearing, the court found our client not guilty.

16th District Court — Livonia, Wayne County

See more of our Wayne County and other case results.

The 16th District Court in Livonia

The 16th District Court serves the City of Livonia. Two judges share the docket, and a magistrate handles many arraignments, bond matters, and minor traffic cases.

16th District Court

Address: 32765 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 466-2500
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., Monday through Friday
Judges: Judge Sean P. Kavanagh and Judge James J. Jolly
Magistrate: Paul Bernier
Serves: City of Livonia
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 and Magistrate Who Know Livonia

Judge Sean P. Kavanagh served as Livonia’s City Attorney from 1995 to 2008 before he took the bench, so he knows the Livonia Police Department and how it builds its cases. Judge James J. Jolly is newer to the bench. He served as the court’s magistrate from 2008 to 2015, and in Attorney Brown’s experience, he is a fair and patient judge. Magistrate Paul Bernier spent many years as a Wayne County assistant prosecutor and later served as Livonia’s City Attorney.

Attorney Brown knows Judge Kavanagh and Magistrate Bernier well, and he has also appeared before Judge Jolly. As a result, he understands what this court expects at every stage of a case. That local knowledge helps a Livonia criminal defense lawyer prepare the right arguments for the right courtroom.

A Second Chance, With Swift Consequences

In Attorney Brown’s experience, the 16th District Court is not heavy-handed. For many first-time clients, the court will allow a second chance. However, the consequences beyond that second chance are swift and sure. A missed test, a new arrest, or a skipped court date can quickly lead to jail.

For that reason, how you handle probation matters as much as how you resolve the charge. If you’re accused of violating probation, the hearing is your chance to tell your side. In our Livonia probation violation case above, the court found our client not guilty after a hearing.

The Voluntary Work Program

The court’s probation department runs a Voluntary Work Program in lieu of jail, where people work at city locations instead of serving time behind bars. In fact, the work program is a common option in Livonia. As a result, a well-prepared request for the work program can keep a client working and at home with family.

Treatment Court

Michigan’s statewide treatment court directory lists a hybrid DWI and drug treatment court at the 16th District Court. For eligible clients, it offers treatment and close supervision in place of a standard sentence. However, admission depends on the charge and screening, so ask about it early.

Who Prosecutes Your Case

In the 16th District Court, the prosecutor depends on how you were charged. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office handles state prosecutions, including every felony case. The Livonia City Attorney’s Office prosecutes charges under a city ordinance. Knowing which office has your case helps your Livonia criminal defense lawyer get the reports and video quickly and negotiate with the right person.

Livonia Police and Traffic Stops

The Livonia Police Department is a proactive department. In Attorney Brown’s experience, it encourages its officers to make traffic stops, much like Warren in Macomb County. That isn’t a criticism; it’s simply how the department polices the city. Even so, the volume of stops means many Livonia cases start on the road: drunk driving, driving on a suspended license, and drugs or weapons found during a vehicle search.

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.

What Happens After an Arrest in Livonia

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 16th District Court.

Felony cases: A felony starts with arraignment, a probable cause conference, and a preliminary examination in the 16th 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 Livonia

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

Also Serving Nearby Communities

Beyond Livonia, we defend clients in nearby Westland, Redford, Garden City, and Plymouth, and across Eight Mile Road in Farmington Hills.

Livonia Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQ

Where is the Livonia district court?

The 16th District Court is at 32765 Five Mile Road in Livonia. It hears criminal and traffic cases from the City of Livonia. Felony cases start there and, if the judge binds the case over, move to the Third Circuit Court in Detroit.

Who prosecutes my case in Livonia?

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

Can I do the work program instead of jail in Livonia?

Possibly. The court’s probation department runs a Voluntary Work Program in lieu of jail, and in Attorney Brown’s experience, it is a common option in Livonia. Whether the judge allows it depends on your charge, your record, and how your Livonia criminal defense lawyer presents the request.

Does the 16th District Court have a sobriety court?

Yes. Michigan’s treatment court directory lists a hybrid DWI and drug treatment court at the 16th District Court. However, eligibility depends on the charge and a screening. If you’re facing a drunk driving or drug charge, a Livonia criminal defense lawyer can tell you early whether you qualify.

Talk to a Livonia 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.