Going to Court in Wayne County, MI
Oct 26, 2020, by in Court
It’s important to understand what the legal process is when you face criminal charges. Going to court in Wayne County, Michigan is a serious matter and you’ll want to be prepared by reviewing important information and having a criminal defense attorney on your side.
Fortunately, the criminal defense lawyers at Drias Law Group know all about going to court in Wayne County. Veteran criminal defense lawyer Martin Drias will prepare you for what to expect, where to be, and what do when there. He will also fight for the very best outcome possible for your criminal case.
Call us today at (313) 944-0236 for a free, confidential case consultation.
Courts in Wayne County
Depending on your charges, your proceedings could be held in:
- Wayne County 36th District Court, which has jurisdiction over parking citations, traffic violations, criminal misdemeanors, preliminary examinations in felony cases, landlord tenant, small claims, and general civil cases of less than $25,000 in damages. As the largest district court in the state, there are 28 judges and five magistrates. The court is located at 421 Madison Street, Detroit. Parking structures are to the south and east of the building. To the north of the district court is Ford Field.
- Additional Wayne County District Courts, include:
- District 35, Plymouth
- District 34, Romulus
- District 33, Woodhaven
- District 32A, Harper Woods, 19617 Harper Ave, Harper Woods
- District 31, Hamtramck
- District 30, Highland Park
- District 29, Wayne City
- District 28, Southgate
- District 27, Wyandotte, located in the Wyandotte Police Dept., 2015 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte
- District 25, Lincoln Park
- District 24, Allen Park
- District 23, Taylor
- District 22, Inkster
- District 21, Garden City
- District 20, Dearborn Heights
- District 19, Dearborn
- District 18, Westland
- District 17, Redford
- District 16, Livonia
These smaller district courts typically have onsite parking.
- The Wayne County 3rd Judicial Circuit Court, in Detroit, has jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases and some serious misdemeanors, civil cases involving more than $25,000.00, domestic relations cases, and appeals from district courts and administrative agencies. The 3rd Judicial Circuit is the largest circuit court in Michigan, with 58 judges and three operating divisions.
Criminal proceedings in 3rd Judicial Circuit Court are held in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice at the 1441 St. Antione, Detroit. There are commercial parking lots to the west of the building. Keep in mind that there are several restaurants in the area, but they are two blocks south of the courthouse.
Make sure you know which court your proceeding is in and how to get there. Leave home in plenty of time in case there is traffic, parking issues, or bad weather. You want to arrive at least 20-30 minutes early. Your attorney may need to speak to you prior to court as well.
Prior to leaving home, take some care in selecting what you’ll wear. Dress appropriately. Avoid jeans, baggy clothes, shorts, t-shirts, or torn clothing. You want to be neat, clean, and well-groomed. Review the dress code for the 36th District Court if your proceeding is there.
The Wayne Circuit Court and the District Court have a long list of prohibited items ranging from alcoholic beverages to dental floss and hair spray to weapons. Please review this list carefully and do not bring any of the prohibited items to court.
When You Are There
Before you arrive, your defense attorney from Drias Law Group will let you know what to expect based on what kind of proceeding is scheduled. In addition, there are some general tips to always keep in mind when at your court appearance.
- Manners matter. Show respect to all parties, no exceptions.
- Don’t talk. Your attorney or the Court will tell you when to speak.
- Don’t fidget and your facial expressions should be neutral.
- Listen to your defense attorney. That’s why you hired one!
- Stick around. Plan on meeting with your counsel after your appearance to discuss next steps.
If You’re Going to Court, You’ll Want Us with You
Going to court in Wayne County can be stressful, especially if you have never been before. Criminal charges should be treated seriously and resolved as quickly as possible so there are few to any collateral consequences. That’s why you need experienced defense attorneys like those at Drias Law Group. If you are facing criminal charges in Wayne County, contact Drias Law Group today at (313) 944-0236 for a free case consultation.