Bloomfield Hills DUI Lawyer: 48th District Court Defense
A DUI arrest in Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, or anywhere else in the 48th District Court’s jurisdiction (see below) puts your case in the courthouse at 4280 Telegraph Road, so it helps to have a Bloomfield Hills DUI lawyer who knows how that court works. Our firm defends DUI and OWI cases there for people from across Metro Detroit, whether they live a few minutes from the courthouse or were simply driving through on one of the many roads that fall within its boundaries.
We know how this court runs, who prosecutes the cases, and what the judges expect from the lawyer standing next to you. That familiarity is a key reason to call a firm with years of experience in this courthouse.
Communities the 48th District Court Covers
The 48th District Court hears cases from Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield Township, along with the cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, and Sylvan Lake. An arrest in any of these communities is a 48th District Court case, no matter where the driver lives. Directions, court hours, and case lookup are on the 48th District Court’s official website.
What to Expect From the 48th District Court
The 48th is a disciplined, by-the-book court. Its judges run efficient courtrooms and expect lawyers to arrive prepared. Cases move quickly but not carelessly, and the court gives a lawyer the time needed to examine the evidence before expecting a resolution. It also follows the evidence: when the proofs in a DUI case do not hold up, this court will dismiss the charge.
Three judges sit on the court’s bench: Hon. Diane D’Agostini, Hon. Marc Barron, and Hon. Kimberly Small. Our guide to DUI cases in the 48th District Court covers each judge’s background and how the court handles the cases that come before it.
Who prosecutes your case depends on the offense. A first offense is often handled by a contracted municipal attorney, while second and third offense cases are always prosecuted by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. The law is the same either way. DUI and OWI charges in Michigan are governed by MCL 257.625, and the penalties after a conviction do not change based on who prosecutes the case.
Expect bond conditions to be taken seriously. A no-drinking order is a standard condition of release, and this court backs it up with regular testing. A missed test, not only a failed one, will bring you back in front of the judge promptly. Probation is a virtual certainty in a Michigan DUI case, and the 48th is no exception. What varies is its length, how often testing is required, and what treatment or education the court orders.
How We Defend DUI Cases at the 48th District Court
Every DUI defense starts with the same goal: finding a way to get the charge dismissed outright. We examine the traffic stop, the field sobriety testing, and the breath or blood test results to see whether the evidence holds up, and our firm has won dismissals at the 48th District Court by challenging the prosecution’s evidence. If the evidence is too solid for that, we focus on the best possible plea bargain and on avoiding as many legal penalties and negative consequences as possible.
We handle every level of DUI case this court sees, including first offense cases, High BAC (Super Drunk) cases, second offense cases, and third offense felonies. The 48th District Court handles the early stages, such as arraignment, before the case moves to the Oakland County Circuit Court, and we are involved from the first day.
Bloomfield Hills DUI Lawyer for Drivers From Anywhere in Metro Detroit
We handle DUI cases across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and the surrounding counties, and a stop or arrest along any of the many busy streets, like Orchard Lake Road, Telegraph, or Woodward, can put a driver who lives nearby or across town in front of the 48th District Court. For more on our work in Oakland County, see our Oakland County DUI defense page.
A DUI charge raises worries beyond the sentence itself, including your job and any professional license you hold. We’ll begin talking through those concerns in the first call.
Other Criminal Cases at the 48th District Court
The court also hears the full range of misdemeanor and felony matters arising in its jurisdiction, including things like charges for driving on a suspended or revoked license (DWLS and DWLR). License-related stops are common here because many of the busiest roads in Metro Detroit run through the court’s jurisdiction.
Need a Bloomfield Hills DUI Lawyer? Call Our Office
Our firm offers free confidential phone consultations, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, at 586-465-1980. An after-hours answering service is available, and you can also reach us through the contact form or chat box on our website.
Learn more about our DUI/OWI defense practice.