Oak Park Criminal Defense Lawyer

Arrested or charged with a crime in Oak Park, Michigan? Your case will almost certainly begin in the 45th District Court on Oak Park Boulevard. You need an Oak Park criminal defense lawyer who knows that court and its programs. 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: Felony Assault and Resisting Arrest Charges Dismissed

Our client was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He was also charged with resisting arrest. Police alleged that he tried to throw his roommate down a flight of stairs. However, the charges left out an important part of the story. Our client has a developmental disability, with fixed cognitive limitations that affected his ability to understand his actions. We gathered his records and presented his circumstances to the prosecutor. After an evaluation and a review of those records, the prosecutor agreed with our view of the case. As a result, all charges were dismissed.

Why this matters: A criminal charge is never the whole story. When a mental health condition or disability is involved, the right evidence can change how a prosecutor sees the case.

See more of our case results.

The 45th District Court

Oak Park cases go to:

45th District Court

Address: 13600 Oak Park Boulevard, Oak Park, MI 48237
Phone: (248) 691-7433
Judges: Chief Judge Jaimie Powell Horowitz and Judge Michelle Friedman Appel
Magistrate: Richard Halprin

The 45th District Court serves Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, and Royal Oak Township. Call the court to confirm its hours before your court date.

Look up your case on MiCOURT.

Treatment Courts at the 45th District Court

The 45th District Court offers specialized treatment courts. For the right client, these programs can lead to a better outcome than a standard sentence.

Behavioral Health and Wellness Court: This program serves adults with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or co-occurring disorders. Its goals are to reduce repeat offenses and improve participants’ wellness.

Veterans Treatment Court: Created in 2013, this court helps veterans facing misdemeanor charges. Participants receive case management, mentoring, and services through the Veterans Administration.

Whether a treatment court is a fit depends on the charge, your history, and your circumstances. We can tell you if one may be an option in your case.

Experience in the 45th District Court

Christopher Brown has represented clients in the 45th District Court and knows how it runs. The court moves at a more measured pace than many busy district courts. That pace leaves real time to negotiate with prosecutors, so we use it. We gather the facts, records, and background that give the prosecutor a fuller picture of our client. As our result above shows, that work can lead to a dismissal. When a case calls for a fight instead, we prepare for trial.

How an Oak Park Criminal Case Moves Through Court

The 45th District Court handles misdemeanors from start to finish. These include 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 45th District Court, with an arraignment and a 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.

For an Oak Park criminal defense lawyer, the district court stage is often the best chance to resolve a felony before it ever reaches the Circuit Court.

Charges We Defend in Oak Park

• Drunk driving (OWI), including stops on Eight Mile Road, Greenfield Road, Coolidge Highway, Woodward Avenue, and I-696
• Drug crimes
• Assault and domestic violence
• Retail fraud and theft
• Sex crimes
• Weapons and CCW charges

Who Investigates Cases in Oak Park and Nearby Communities

Oak Park is served by its Department of Public Safety. Its officers are cross-trained as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical responders. Huntington Woods and Pleasant Ridge have their own police departments. Royal Oak Township has no police department of its own and contracts with the Michigan State Police.

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 Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, and Royal Oak Township

Because they share the 45th District Court, we also defend clients charged in Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, and Royal Oak Township. Note that Royal Oak Township is separate from the City of Royal Oak, whose cases go to the 44th District Court.

Choosing an Oak Park 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 an Oak Park 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