Pontiac Criminal Defense Lawyer

Arrested or charged with a crime in Pontiac? Your case will almost certainly begin in the 50th District Court in downtown Pontiac. You need a Pontiac criminal defense lawyer who knows that court and comes prepared. 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: Domestic Violence Charge Dismissed in the Middle of a Jury Trial

Our client was charged with domestic violence, and the case went to a jury trial. The complainant’s story had a problem. What he told officers on their body cameras did not match the written statement he gave police. We built our cross-examination around those conflicts and the gaps in the police investigation. After that cross-examination, the prosecutor dismissed the case in the middle of trial.

Why this matters: Body camera footage, written statements, and police reports often tell different stories. Comparing them line by line can expose a weak case, even after a trial has begun.

See more of our case results.

The 50th District Court

Pontiac cases go to:

50th District Court

Judge William J. Waterman Hall of Justice
Address: 70 N. Saginaw Street, Pontiac, MI 48342
Main phone: (248) 758-3800
Criminal Division: (248) 758-3820
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed noon–1:00 p.m. for lunch)
Judges: Chief Judge Jeremy Darnell Bowie, Judge Cynthia Thomas Walker, and Judge Ronda Fowlkes Gross

The 50th District Court serves the City of Pontiac.

Look up your case on MiCOURT.

What to Expect at the 50th District Court

A few practical details can make your court date go smoothly:

• Find the right building. The court is in the Hall of Justice at the northeast corner of Saginaw Street and Huron Street (M-59).
• Plan for parking. Downtown street parking is metered. There is also a $3 lot at the southwest corner of Saginaw and Huron.
• Mind the lunch hour. The court closes from noon to 1:00 p.m., so clerk business has to happen before or after.
• Finally, arrive early and dress for court. Expect security screening, and dress as you would for a job interview.

Experience in the 50th District Court

Christopher Brown appears in the 50th District Court regularly. It is a busy, no-nonsense court. Dockets are heavy, with traffic, ordinance, and criminal cases brought by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police. As a result, the court expects lawyers to be prepared and organized, and we are.

That preparation matters most at the preliminary exam. When the prosecution cannot meet its burden, the court will dismiss a felony charge at that stage. We hold the prosecution to that burden in every case.

How a Pontiac Criminal Case Moves Through Court

The 50th 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 50th District Court, with an arraignment and a preliminary examination. If the judge binds the case over, it moves to the Oakland County Circuit Court, which is also in Pontiac. In fact, every felony case in Oakland County that goes past the district court ends up in Pontiac. Learn more about Oakland County criminal defense and the Circuit Court process.

For a Pontiac criminal defense lawyer, the preliminary exam is often the best chance to stop a weak felony case early.

Charges We Defend in Pontiac

• Drunk driving (OWI), including stops on Woodward Avenue, Telegraph Road, M-59, and Square Lake Road
• Drug crimes
• Assault and domestic violence
• Retail fraud and theft
• Sex crimes
• Weapons and CCW charges

Who Investigates Cases in Pontiac

Pontiac does not have its own police department. Instead, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office polices the city from its Pontiac substation. The Michigan State Police also make many arrests in and around the city.

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 Pontiac 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 Pontiac 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