A routine traffic stop along Orchard Lake Road or an investigation in neighborhoods like Heritage Hills can turn your life upside down. When police make an arrest or issue criminal citations anywhere in Farmington Hills, you’re looking at court appearances, potential jail time, and a criminal record.
What happens after being arrested or charged with a crime in Farmington Hills, MI?
After an arrest or citation, your case is processed through the 47th District Court on 11 Mile Road. Misdemeanors are handled within the court, while felony charges begin there but are processed in a circuit court at another Oakland County location.
Here are some of the most important things you need to know when facing criminal charges in Farmington Hills:
- Misdemeanor vs. Felony Jurisdiction: Misdemeanors such as OWI/DUI, domestic assault, or retail fraud are handled at the 47th District Court. Felonies such as felony drug possession or aggravated assault begin in Farmington Hills for a probable cause conference and preliminary examination before being bound over to the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac.
- Pre-Trial & Arraignment Focus: Your arraignment marks your first appearance in the 47th District Court. It’s where the judge or magistrate determines your bond amount and release conditions. Entering a plea without an attorney or failing to address bond conditions immediately can lead to a high bail, mandatory random drug/alcohol testing, or restrictive travel bans.
- Strict Pre-Trial Conditions: At your 47th District Court arraignment, the court sets your bond conditions. These typically include mandatory drug or alcohol testing, travel restrictions, or strict no-contact orders. Violating these pre-trial conditions leads to immediate bond revocation and additional jail time.
For a top-rated defense in Farmington Hills criminal cases, Hadd Law is here to protect your rights. If you want the best legal defense in Metro Detroit, call 248-633-8000 or contact us online for a free consultation!
How Does a Criminal Defense Law Firm Challenge Charges?
An experienced defense attorney analyzes police dashcam and bodycam video and files evidentiary suppression motions. They also negotiate with prosecutors for diversion programs that can help preserve your record.
Our criminal defense law firm uses strategic defense tactics to help protect clients facing charges in Farmington Hills in these ways:
Auditing Farmington Hills PD Evidence
Officers routinely use body-worn cameras and patrol car dashcams. Our experienced defense team requests the footage, dispatch logs, and any breathalyzer/blood test calibration records. We look for procedural errors and violations of your constitutional rights to help your defense.
Filing Motions to Suppress Evidence
We look for any signs of unlawful traffic stops or illegal searches of your vehicle or home without a valid warrant. If we find anything, our attorneys file formal suppression motions with the 47th District Court. Proving illegally obtained evidence helps weaken the prosecution’s case and can lead to your charges being reduced or even dismissed.
Navigating Municipal & County Prosecutors
Misdemeanors in Farmington Hills are usually prosecuted by the city attorney who enforces municipal ordinances. If you’re charged with a more serious offense, the prosecutor’s office in Oakland County handles these felonies. An experienced defense attorney understands the charging philosophies and negotiation styles of both offices, which helps when seeking pre-trial resolutions.
Leveraging First-Offender Diversion Programs
For eligible clients, our criminal defense law firm works to get statutory deferrals to keep convictions off public records. This includes negotiating for the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) for people aged 18 to 25 for first-time drug possession. We also work to secure MCL 769.4a for domestic allegations, or delayed sentencing under MCL 771.1. This allows your charges to be dismissed upon successful completion of probation.
Don’t Wait for Your Court Date; Contact Hadd Law Today
Facing criminal charges at the 47th District Court is scary, but you don’t have to fight the system alone. At Hadd Law, we provide proactive, strategic criminal defense in all Oakland County courts.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges anywhere in Farmington Hills, call 248.633.8000 or contact us online today! As your criminal defense law firm, we start protecting your rights before you set foot inside the 47th District Court.