Royal Oak Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you’ve been arrested or charged in Royal Oak or Berkley, your case will start at the 44th District Court on 11 Mile Road. Brown & Associates defends misdemeanor and felony charges throughout Royal Oak, Berkley, and the rest of Oakland County, and we answer the phone 24/7. Our Troy office is a short drive from the Royal Oak courthouse. Call a Royal Oak criminal defense lawyer at (248) 468-1468 for a free consultation.

A Royal Oak Criminal Defense Lawyer Who Knows Both Sides

Christopher Brown spent years as a police officer before becoming a criminal defense attorney. He knows how officers write reports, run traffic stops, give sobriety tests, and build cases, and he knows where those cases fall apart. We use that experience in every defense: we test whether the stop was legal, whether the search was valid, whether the testing was accurate, and whether the evidence proves what the prosecutor claims.

Royal Oak Criminal Defense Lawyer Case Result: Felony Fleeing and Eluding Charge Dismissed

Fleeing and Eluding, Third Degree (Felony) Dismissed – 44th District Court, Royal Oak

Police charged our client with third-degree fleeing and eluding, a felony, after a vehicle pursuit. In his report, the officer claimed he identified our client by seeing him during the chase. At the preliminary examination, we used the officer’s own testimony and the patrol car video to show that his identification was not credible. The case was dismissed at the preliminary exam. See more of our case results.

Common Charges in Royal Oak

Royal Oak’s busy downtown, Woodward Avenue, and nearby freeways bring a steady flow of cases into the 44th District Court. We regularly defend:

• OWI and drunk driving arrests, including stops on Woodward Avenue, I-696, I-75, and the 11, 12, and 13 Mile corridors
• Disorderly conduct, assault, and other charges from downtown Royal Oak’s bars and restaurants on Main Street and Washington Avenue
• Arrests during the Woodward Dream Cruise and other large events
• Retail fraud and theft
• Driving while license suspended and other traffic misdemeanors
• Domestic violence, drug possession, and weapons charges

Royal Oak Criminal Charges We Defend

• Royal Oak DUI & OWI Lawyer
• Royal Oak Domestic Violence Lawyer
• Royal Oak Drug Crimes Lawyer
• Royal Oak Sex Crimes Lawyer
• Royal Oak Weapons & Firearm Charges Lawyer
• Royal Oak Retail Fraud & Theft Lawyer
• Royal Oak Assault & Violent Crimes Lawyer
• Royal Oak Juvenile Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Investigations & Pre-Charge Representation

Royal Oak Courts: Where Your Case Will Be Heard

44th District Court (Royal Oak and Berkley)

Address: 400 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: (248) 246-3600
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Judges: Hon. Derek W. Meinecke and Hon. Andrew W. Kowalkowski

The 44th District Court handles criminal cases from Royal Oak and Berkley. Every criminal case starts here. This court decides misdemeanor cases, and it handles the arraignment and preliminary examination in felony cases before they can move up to circuit court.

Search your case in the 44th District Court (MiCOURT Case Search) →

Oakland County Circuit Court

Address: 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341

If the judge binds a felony over after the preliminary examination, the case moves to the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac for the rest of the proceedings.

What Happens After an Arrest in Royal Oak

1. Arraignment: The 44th District Court formally tells you the charges, and the judge or magistrate sets bond and conditions of release.
2. Pretrial conference: Your attorney meets with the prosecutor, reviews the evidence, and negotiates. We resolve many misdemeanors at this stage.
3. Preliminary examination (felonies only): The prosecutor must show probable cause to send the case to circuit court. This is often our first chance to cross-examine the officer under oath, and sometimes it ends the case, as it did in our fleeing and eluding dismissal.
4. Trial or resolution: If the case isn’t dismissed or resolved, it proceeds to trial.

Royal Oak Criminal Defense FAQs

How do I look up my case in the 44th District Court?

Use the MiCOURT Case Search link above and search by your name or case number. If you can’t find your case, call us and we’ll check for you.

I was arrested in Berkley. Is my case in Royal Oak?

Yes. The 44th District Court on 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak hears criminal cases from both Royal Oak and Berkley.

I was arrested for OWI during the Dream Cruise or downtown. What should I do?

Call a lawyer before your arraignment. OWI cases often depend on why the officer stopped you and how the sobriety and breath tests were done, and we review the video and test records for errors.

I have a warrant out of the 44th District Court. What should I do?

Call an attorney before going in. Arriving with a lawyer and a plan can make a real difference in how the court handles bond.

Should I talk to a Royal Oak detective who wants to “get my side of the story”?

Not before speaking with a lawyer. Detectives often call before charges are filed, and what you say can be used to build the case. As a former officer, Christopher Brown knows how these interviews work and can speak for you.

Contact a Royal Oak Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

We offer free, confidential consultations with same-day appointments available. Call (248) 468-1468 any time, or contact us online.

Get directions to our office: 755 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 2020, Troy, MI 48084