St. Clair Shores Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you’ve been charged with a crime in St. Clair Shores, your case will be heard at the 40th District Court on Jefferson Avenue, the city’s own courthouse. Attorney Christopher Brown is a St. Clair Shores criminal defense lawyer and former Detroit police officer who defends clients in this court and throughout Macomb County. Whether you call it St. Clair Shores or Saint Clair Shores, the court, the police, and the stakes are the same, and so is the value of a lawyer who knows them.

Recent Results in the 40th District Court

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

Domestic Violence Charge Dismissed Because There Was No Dating Relationship — St. Clair Shores

Police were called to our client’s apartment after neighbors heard loud arguing. During the police interview, our client’s guest claimed the argument turned physical, and our client was arrested for domestic violence. We interviewed the complainant, who explained that she and our client had never dated; they had known each other since elementary school. Because they weren’t married, had no child together, and didn’t live together, a domestic violence charge required a dating relationship, which Michigan law defines as “frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional involvement.” MCL 750.81(8)(a). Once we brought this to the prosecutor’s attention and the complainant was interviewed, the case was dismissed.

40th District Court — St. Clair Shores, Macomb County

Firearm Discharge Charge Dismissed After a Delayed Sentence — St. Clair Shores

Our client was putting his firearm in a safe when it accidentally discharged, and the bullet traveled through his home and into a neighboring garage. We showed that the firearm’s design made it prone to “slam fire.” As a result, we secured a delayed sentence, and the case was dismissed after six months.

40th District Court — St. Clair Shores, Macomb County

See more of our Macomb County and other case results.

The 40th District Court in St. Clair Shores

The 40th District Court serves the city of St. Clair Shores. Every misdemeanor and felony case that starts in the city, from traffic misdemeanors to serious felony charges, begins here.

40th District Court

Address: 27701 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
Phone: (586) 445-5280
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Judges: Chief Judge Mark A. Fratarcangeli and Judge Joseph Craigen Oster
Magistrate: Genevieve Taylor
Serves: St. Clair Shores
Case lookup: Search your case on MiCOURT, Michigan’s statewide case search.

The court holds hearings both in person and by Zoom, so check your notice carefully for how and where to appear. Court details can change, so check the court’s website or call before your court date.

Turning Yourself In on a Bench Warrant in St. Clair Shores

If you missed a court date or have an outstanding bench warrant from the 40th District Court, the court has set times for turning yourself in at the courthouse:

• If you are coming with an attorney: 8:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
• If you are coming without an attorney: 9:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.

The court will provide a lawyer free of charge for the bench warrant arraignment itself. But having your own St. Clair Shores criminal defense lawyer walk in with you means someone who already knows your case is there to explain why you missed court, argue for release and reasonable bond conditions, and keep your underlying case moving toward the best outcome. It also means a plan is in place before you walk through the door. Update the court with your current address, phone number, and email, so you don’t miss a future notice.

What Happens After an Arrest in St. Clair Shores

Arraignment: Your first appearance in the 40th District Court, where the judge sets bond and any conditions.

Misdemeanor cases: These stay in the 40th District Court through pretrial conferences, any trial, and sentencing. A delayed sentence, like the one in our firearm discharge case, can sometimes lead to a dismissal once the court’s conditions are met.

Felony cases: A felony starts here with a probable cause conference and a preliminary examination. If the case is bound over, it moves to the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.

Treatment Court Options

Michigan’s most recent statewide report lists a hybrid DWI and drug treatment court at the 40th District Court. For eligible clients, treatment courts offer supervision and support in place of a standard sentence. Admission depends on the charge, your history, and screening, so ask about it early.

Drunk Driving on the Nautical Mile and Along Lake St. Clair

St. Clair Shores is a waterfront city, and its restaurants, bars, and marinas, especially along the stretch of Jefferson Avenue known as the Nautical Mile, draw crowds from across Metro Detroit. As a result, the 40th District Court sees many drunk driving cases from Jefferson, Harper, and I-94, along with boating cases on Lake St. Clair in the summer. Every one of those cases depends on a lawful stop, properly administered field sobriety tests, and accurate breath or blood testing, and that’s where a defense begins.

A St. Clair Shores Criminal Defense Lawyer With Macomb County Experience

Attorney Brown appears in Macomb County courts regularly and has appeared before every criminal court judge in the county. He has found Macomb’s judges fair and conscientious and its prosecutors focused on reaching a just result, which makes careful preparation and a well-reasoned argument the keys to a good outcome. In addition, when the defense asks the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office for a resolution outside its standard policies, the request goes through a formal written deviation process. Learn how deviation requests work in Macomb County.

Who Investigates Cases in St. Clair Shores

Most cases in the 40th District Court come from the St. Clair Shores Police Department, while the Michigan State Police patrol I-94. As a former police officer turned St. Clair Shores criminal defense lawyer, Attorney Brown knows how officers conduct traffic stops, write reports, and build cases, and where those cases break down. If a detective has contacted you before any charge, learn what to do before you talk.

Charges We Defend in St. Clair Shores

• Drunk driving and OWI, including felony third-offense OWI
• Weapons and firearm charges, including careless or reckless discharge
• Domestic violence and assault, including cases where the relationship doesn’t meet the legal definition
• Retail fraud and other theft charges
• Drug possession and possession with intent to deliver
• Sex crimes
• Probation violations and bench warrants

Also Serving Nearby Macomb County Communities

Beyond St. Clair Shores, we defend clients in Roseville, Eastpointe, Harrison Township, Clinton Township, Warren, and the rest of Macomb County.

Talk to a St. Clair Shores Criminal Defense Lawyer

• Former Detroit police officer who knows how cases are built from the inside
• Licensed in Michigan since 2008, with experience before every criminal court judge in Macomb 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, especially if you have a bench warrant.