Novi Criminal Defense Lawyer

Arrested or charged with a crime in Novi? Your case will almost certainly begin in the 52-1 District Court on Grand River Avenue. You need a Novi 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: OWI Charge Dismissed in the 52-1 District Court

Our client, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder, faced an OWI charge in Novi. An officer stopped her for what he believed was an illegal turn. We reviewed the video of the stop. It showed the posted sign clearly allowed her turn, so the officer had no lawful reason to stop her. We filed a motion to dismiss based on the Fourth Amendment violation, and the court dismissed the case.

The outcome: no criminal conviction and no CDL consequences. A conviction would have cost her the right to drive commercially for at least a year.

Why this matters: Many OWI cases are won or lost on the traffic stop, not the breath test. If the stop was illegal, the evidence that followed can be thrown out.

See more of our case results.

The 52-1 District Court

Novi cases go to:

52nd District Court, 1st Division

Address: 48150 Grand River Avenue, Novi, MI 48374
Phone: (248) 305-6460
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Judges: Judge Robert Bondy, Judge Travis Reeds, and Judge David Law

The 52-1 District Court serves about 215,000 residents. Its communities include Novi, Novi Township, Wixom, Walled Lake, South Lyon, Commerce Township, Lyon Township, Highland Township, Milford Township, the Village of Milford, Wolverine Lake, and the Oakland County part of Northville Township.

Look up your case on MiCOURT.

Experience in the 52-1 District Court

We have represented clients in the 52-1 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. Others call for a strong mitigation presentation that shows the court who our client is beyond the charge. We prepare for both.

How a Novi Criminal Case Moves Through Court

The 52-1 District Court handles most misdemeanors from start to finish. These include first-offense drunk driving, retail fraud, and domestic violence charges. Arraignment, pretrial conference, plea or trial, and sentencing all happen there.

Felony cases also start in the 52-1 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. The court also has four part-time magistrates. If a case ends in a conviction, the court’s probation department handles pre-sentence investigations and, in drunk driving cases, alcohol assessments. Preparing for that assessment can make a real difference at sentencing.

Charges We Defend in Novi

• Drunk driving (OWI), including stops on I-96, I-275, M-5, Grand River Avenue, and Novi Road
• Drug crimes
• Assault and domestic violence
• Retail fraud and theft, including shoplifting accusations at Twelve Oaks Mall and other Novi stores
• Sex crimes
• Weapons and CCW charges

OWI Defense for Commercial Drivers

For a CDL holder, an OWI charge threatens more than a driving record. A conviction can disqualify you from commercial driving, even if you were in your own car. That can mean losing your job. Novi sits at the junction of I-96 and I-275, two busy truck routes, so commercial drivers are often stopped here. We look closely at every stop, every test, and every report. As our result shows, the stop itself can be the key to the whole case.

Who Investigates Cases in Novi and Nearby Communities

The Novi Police Department makes most arrests in the city. Nearby communities have their own departments, including the Wixom, Walled Lake, South Lyon, Milford, and Wolverine Lake police departments. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office patrols Commerce, Highland, and Lyon townships from local substations. The Michigan State Police patrol the area’s 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.

Also Serving Wixom, Commerce Township, and Nearby Communities

Because these communities share the 52-1 District Court, we also defend clients charged in Wixom, Walled Lake, South Lyon, Commerce Township, Lyon Township, Highland Township, Milford, Wolverine Lake, and Novi Township.

Choosing a Novi 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 Novi 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