If you were charged with a crime or a traffic offense in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield or a nearby community, your case will likely be heard in the 48th District Court. This is our home court: our office is on the same road, minutes away.
Where the court is and who it serves
The 48th District Court is located at 4280 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, in Bloomfield Township. The court has three judges and serves seven communities:
- Bloomfield Township
- West Bloomfield Township
- Birmingham
- Bloomfield Hills
- Keego Harbor
- Orchard Lake Village
- Sylvan Lake
Not sure this is your court? Look up your city in our court finder.
What the 48th District Court handles
Like every Michigan district court, the 48th District Court handles misdemeanors and drunk driving cases, traffic tickets and civil infractions, civil lawsuits up to $25,000, small claims and landlord-tenant cases. It also handles the first stages of every felony charged in its communities.
Common cases we see
With busy corridors like Woodward Avenue, Telegraph Road and Orchard Lake Road, and downtown Birmingham’s restaurants and nightlife, the 48th District Court sees many drunk driving (OWI) cases, along with retail fraud, domestic violence, drug possession, driving while license suspended and other traffic misdemeanors.
What to expect if you have a case here
- Arraignment. The charge is read, your rights are explained and bond conditions are set. What happens at an arraignment.
- Pretrial conference. Your lawyer reviews the police reports and video and negotiates with the prosecutor. Many cases are resolved at this stage.
- Motions, plea or trial. If the case isn’t resolved, we challenge the evidence and, if needed, take it to trial before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing and probation. If there is a conviction, the court’s probation department often supervises conditions such as testing, classes or community service.
For eligible repeat drunk driving offenders, the 48th District Court operates a DWI sobriety court, a structured, treatment-based program that can offer an alternative to jail and, for some participants, a path to a restricted license.
If you’re charged with a felony
Felony cases start in district court, too. The district court holds the arraignment on the complaint, a probable cause conference and a preliminary examination, where the prosecutor must show there is probable cause that a felony was committed and that you committed it. If the case isn’t dismissed or resolved, it moves to the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac for trial. David clerked for a judge of the Oakland County Circuit Court, so he knows that courthouse from the inside. See how a Michigan criminal case works.
Don’t miss your court date. Missing a hearing can lead to a bench warrant, a higher bond and, in traffic cases, a suspended license. If you think you’ve missed a date or have a warrant, read what to do and call us.
Why clients choose David
Our office is on Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills, a short drive from every Oakland County district court. David interned in a prosecutor’s office, clerked in the Oakland County Circuit Court and is a published contributor to ICLE’s Michigan Drunk Driving Law and Practice. You work with him directly, and he tells you honestly what to expect in your courtroom.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the 48th District Court?
At 4280 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills, in Bloomfield Township. Our office is also on Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills, just minutes away.
I was arrested for OWI in Birmingham. Will my case be in the 48th District Court?
Yes. Misdemeanors, including drunk driving charges, that occur in Birmingham are handled by the 48th District Court, along with cases from Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield and the other communities it serves.
Does the 48th District Court have a sobriety court?
Yes. The 48th District Court runs a DWI sobriety court, an intensive, treatment-focused program for eligible repeat drunk driving offenders. Participants may be able to get a restricted license with an ignition interlock. Whether it’s a good fit depends on your case.