If you were charged with a crime or a traffic misdemeanor in Pontiac, your case will be heard in the 50th District Court in downtown Pontiac, just a few miles from our Bloomfield Hills office.
Where the court is and who it serves
The 50th District Court is located at 70 N. Saginaw Street, Pontiac, MI 48342, at the northeast corner of Saginaw and Huron (M-59) in downtown Pontiac. It serves:
- City of Pontiac
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What the 50th District Court handles
Like every Michigan district court, the 50th 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
As the county seat, Pontiac sees a wide range of cases. The 50th District Court regularly handles drunk driving, drug, assault and domestic violence, weapons and retail fraud charges, along with 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.
The 50th District Court has its own probation department, which supervises people placed on probation by the court’s judges. If you’re facing a probation violation in the 50th, getting help early matters.
If you’re charged with a felony
Felony cases start in district court with an arraignment, a probable cause conference and a preliminary examination, where the prosecutor must show 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. David clerked for a judge of the Oakland County Circuit Court, so he knows that courthouse from the inside.
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
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. From our Bloomfield Hills office, he represents clients in courts across Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. You work with him directly, and he tells you honestly what to expect in your courtroom.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the 50th District Court?
At 70 N. Saginaw Street in downtown Pontiac, at the corner of Saginaw and Huron (M-59). Street parking is available downtown.
If I’m charged with a felony in Pontiac, where will my case go?
Felonies start in the 50th District Court for the arraignment and preliminary examination. If the case continues, it moves to the Oakland County Circuit Court, which is also in Pontiac.