Waterford Criminal Defense Lawyer

Arrested or charged with a crime in Waterford Township? Your case will almost certainly be heard in the 51st District Court on Civic Center Drive. You need a Waterford criminal defense lawyer who knows that court and its rules. 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: Probation Violation Dismissed After a False Soberlink Reading

Our client was on probation for a second OWI. As a condition of probation, he had to test with a Soberlink, a handheld breath-testing device. One morning, his Soberlink registered a .04, and he was charged with violating probation by drinking. However, he retested five minutes later, and the device read .00. That same day, he also took an EtG urine test, which can detect drinking for days afterward. It came back negative.

We presented all of this to the court. A reading that drops to zero within minutes, followed by a negative EtG test, points to something other than drinking. After reviewing the evidence, the court dismissed the violation.

Why this matters: Testing devices are not perfect. A single positive reading should never be the end of the story, especially when other tests tell a different one.

See more of our case results.

The 51st District Court

Waterford cases go to:

51st District Court

Address: 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329
Main phone: (248) 674-4655
Criminal Department: (248) 674-7591
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Judges: Chief Judge Todd A. Fox and Judge Richard D. Kuhn, Jr.
Magistrates: Sandra Aspinall and Roberto Bihar

The 51st District Court serves Waterford Township.

Look up your case on MiCOURT.

What to Expect at the 51st District Court

The 51st District Court is a busy court that serves one of Oakland County’s largest townships. A few details can make your court date go smoothly:

• Walk-in arraignments run in set weekday windows: 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. If you have a warrant, call us first. We can help you plan when and how to turn yourself in.
• Be on time. The court keeps busy morning and afternoon calendars, and arriving late can cause problems for your case.
• Finally, dress for court and expect security screening.

Experience in the 51st District Court

Christopher Brown appears in the 51st District Court and knows how it runs. In a busy court like this one, preparation, punctuality, and familiarity with local court rules matter. So does knowing the prosecutors who handle Waterford cases. We come prepared for every hearing, from arraignment to sentencing. That preparation helps us avoid unnecessary mistakes and present each case in the way most likely to be heard.

Sobriety Court and Veterans Treatment Court

The 51st District Court runs two treatment courts that can change the outcome of a case.

Sobriety Court: Since 2001, the court has run a Sobriety Court program. People convicted of OWI and certain other offenses complete an assessment that shapes their probation. The program also connects participants with resources for recovery.

Veterans Treatment Court: Since 2013, this court has served veterans regardless of the type of offense. It addresses mental health and substance use needs, and it coordinates with veterans’ services. It also accepts cases transferred from surrounding communities.

We can tell you whether either program may be an option in your case.

Probation Violations in Waterford

Many people on probation for drunk driving must test with a Soberlink device or provide EtG urine samples. A positive result can lead to a probation violation charge, and possibly jail.

Still, test results are not always what they seem. A reading can be affected by timing, testing errors, or something other than drinking. If you have been accused of violating probation, we review every test, every result, and every report before your hearing.

How a Waterford Criminal Case Moves Through Court

The 51st 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 51st 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 nearby Pontiac. Learn more about Oakland County criminal defense and the Circuit Court process.

For a Waterford criminal defense lawyer, the district court stage is often the best chance to challenge weak evidence.

Charges We Defend in Waterford

• Drunk driving (OWI), including stops on Telegraph Road, Dixie Highway, M-59, and Elizabeth Lake Road
• Probation violations
• Drug crimes
• Assault and domestic violence
• Retail fraud and theft
• Sex crimes
• Weapons and CCW charges

Who Investigates Cases in Waterford

The Waterford Township Police Department makes most arrests in the township. The Michigan State Police also 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.

Choosing a Waterford 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 Waterford 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