The 52nd District Court handles cases from more Oakland County communities than any other district court, through four divisions in Novi, Clarkston, Rochester Hills and Troy. Each division has its own judges, procedures and courthouse, and knowing which one you’re in is the first step.
Where the court is and who it serves
The 52nd District Court is one court with four divisions, each with its own courthouse:
- 52-1, Novi: 48150 Grand River Avenue, Novi, MI 48374
- 52-2, Clarkston: 5850 Lorac Drive, Clarkston, MI 48346
- 52-3, Rochester Hills: 700 Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
- 52-4, Troy: 520 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084
Together, the four divisions serve communities across Oakland County, including:
- 52-1: Novi, Wixom, Walled Lake, South Lyon, Milford, Wolverine Lake, and Commerce, Highland, Lyon and Milford townships
- 52-2: Clarkston, Independence Township, White Lake Township and nearby townships
- 52-3: Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion, Oxford, and Addison, Oakland, Orion and Oxford townships
- 52-4: Troy and Clawson
Not sure this is your court? Look up your city in our court finder.
What the 52nd District Court handles
Like every Michigan district court, the 52nd 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
The 52nd District Court’s divisions cover some of the busiest roads and shopping destinations in Michigan, including I-96, I-696, I-75 and M-59, and major retail centers in Novi, Troy and Auburn Hills. That means many drunk driving, retail fraud and traffic misdemeanor cases, along with domestic violence, drug and weapons charges.
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.
Each division of the 52nd District Court operates a DWI sobriety court or hybrid DWI/drug court for eligible participants. Because procedures can differ from one division to the next, local experience matters.
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
Which division of the 52nd District Court is my case in?
It depends on where the offense happened. Novi, Wixom, Walled Lake, South Lyon, Milford and Commerce are in 52-1 (Novi). Clarkston, Independence, White Lake and nearby townships are in 52-2 (Clarkston). Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion and Oxford are in 52-3 (Rochester Hills). Troy and Clawson are in 52-4 (Troy). Your ticket or court notice will also list the court.
Do the 52nd District Court divisions have sobriety or drug courts?
Yes. Each division operates a DWI sobriety court or hybrid DWI/drug court for eligible participants. These programs are intensive, but they can offer an alternative to jail and treatment-focused supervision.
I was charged with retail fraud at a mall. Where will my case be?
Shoplifting cases go to the district court for the community where the store is located. For example, a case from a store in Troy goes to 52-4, a case from Novi goes to 52-1, and a case from Auburn Hills goes to 52-3. Learn about retail fraud charges.