46th District Court – Southfield, MI

The 46th District Court handles all criminal matters in the City of Southfield and the Villages of Lathrup, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, and Franklin.

Southfield District Court on Evergreen Road

The 46th District Court is located at 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Michigan. This court’s jurisdiction is the City of Southfield, Villages of Lathrup, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, and Franklin. Jurisdiction means any criminal offense allegedly committed in those areas goes to the 46th District Court. The judges in this court have a reputation for being tough. It is a busy court, having three judges and two magistrates.

Misdemeanor and Felony Charges in the 46th District Court

Some examples of misdemeanor offenses heard in the 46th District Court are:

alcohol and drug-related driving offenses, such as DUI, drunk driving, and OWI,
retail fraud,
assault and battery,
domestic violence,
some financial transaction device offenses,
possession of drugs,
embezzlement, and
driving offenses such as driving while license suspended and reckless driving.

The felony offenses heard at the 46th District Court for probable cause determinations can include:

Third (3rd) offense OWI,
identity theft,
felonious assault,
assault with intent to murder,
car theft,
fraudulent use of a credit card,
child pornography (SCAM) and accosting a minor for an immoral purpose,
large-scale embezzlement and white-collar crimes, and
even criminal sexual conduct and murder.

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Specialty Court Programs and Rehabilitation Statutes

The 46th District Court does not have a Sobriety Court or any other specialty court that will allow a criminal defendant to enter a particular program. The judges can authorize a criminal defendant to use other diversion programs such as:

Although the Southfield District Court does not have specialty programs, the judges are generally open to accepting plea bargains, resulting in reduced or dismissed charges. An experienced and respected retained criminal defense lawyer gives any defendant the best odds of obtaining an extraordinary resolution.

Arraignment and Bond

The first court appearance in every felony and misdemeanor case at the 46th District Court in Southfield is called the arraignment. During this hearing, the judge or magistrate formally tells the defendant what charges they face and decides whether the defendant can be released on bond while the case is pending.

Bond (also called bail) allows the defendant to remain free from custody under specific conditions. The judge considers two main factors when setting bond: the risk that the defendant will flee and the potential danger to the community if the defendant is released. Based on these factors, the judge can issue one of the following types of bond:

Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: The defendant is released without posting any money, based on their promise to appear in court and follow all conditions.

Cash or Surety Bond: To secure their release, the defendant must pay a specific amount of money or post a bond through a bondsman.

Bond conditions can vary depending on the nature of the case and the defendant’s background. Common conditions include:

No use of alcohol or illegal drugs
No travel outside of Michigan without court permission
Mandatory therapy or substance abuse treatment
Proof of employment or active job search
Wearing a GPS or alcohol-monitoring tether
No contact with the alleged victim
Compliance with other court-ordered restrictions

If a defendant violates any condition of bond, the judge may find them in bond violation, revoke their release, and order them held in custody until the case ends through a plea, trial, or sentencing.

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can be critical at arraignment. A retained attorney can fight for a personal bond, help reduce bond amounts, and negotiate favorable conditions. If a bond violation occurs, the attorney can work to avoid revocation and keep the client out of jail while the case continues.

46th District Court Southfield Defense Attorney

Probation in the 46th District Court in Southfield

Probation is a type of sentence the 46th District Court in Southfield may impose instead of jail time, allowing a defendant to remain in the community under court supervision. While on probation, the defendant must follow specific terms and conditions, such as attending counseling, submitting to drug or alcohol testing, maintaining employment, avoiding new criminal charges, and more.

If the probation department or prosecutor believes the defendant violated any of these terms, the judge may schedule a probation violation hearing. If the judge finds the defendant guilty of a violation, the court can impose any sentence that was originally available for the underlying charge—including jail. Even a single violation can lead to serious consequences, so it’s critical to have a skilled defense lawyer who can advocate for a fair outcome and help avoid harsh penalties.

The Judges of the Southfield District Court

Depending on a district court’s volume of cases, it might need more than one judge to handle the docket. The 46th District Court is so busy that it has three judges. If you do not know the judge assigned to your case, follow this link: Southfield District Court Case Search.

The Honorable Cynthia Meagher Arvant

Governor Rick Snyder appointed the Honorable Cynthia Arvant to the 46th District Court in July 2015 to fill Chief Judge William Richards’ retirement vacancy. Before her appointment to the bench, Judge Arvant spent six years at the 46th District Court, appointed by the Judges to serve in various roles. She was hired as the Court’s Research Attorney in 2009 and was appointed Magistrate in 2010, serving in both capacities until 2012, when she was appointed Court Administrator. She served in the dual roles of Court Administrator and Magistrate until her appointment to the bench. Judge Arvant earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Michigan State University in 1992 and her Juris Doctorate from the Michigan State University College of Law (formerly Detroit College of Law) in 1995. Judge Arvant and her husband, Peter, are longtime residents and have two children, Anna and William.

Judge Shelia R. Johnson

The Honorable Shelia R. Johnson was elected in November 2002 and is the first African American to serve as a Judge in the 46th District Court. In November 2008, she was re-elected for an unopposed second term. Before assuming the bench, Judge Johnson was an attorney with over 18 years of legal experience in both State and Federal Courts. Judge Johnson was in private practice in Southfield, specializing in civil and criminal litigation. Judge Johnson has also established a “Court in Schools” Program. Court sessions are held at local schools to deter youth from criminal behavior and inspire them toward positive career choices. Judge Johnson is a former law clerk to the Honorable Benjamin F. Gibson, United States District Court, Western District of Michigan. She graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan Law School. Judge Johnson was the first African American elected President of the Law School Senate and delivered the commencement address to her graduating class. She has been a resident of Southfield for 25 years.

Judge Debra Nance

Judge Nance was elected to the bench on November 6, 2012. She began a six-year term as Judge of the 46th District Court on January 1, 2013. Judge Nance received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Detroit. She began her professional career as an Assistant Personnel Manager at the Hudson’s Northland Store before serving as Personnel Superintendent for several other Hudson’s Department Stores throughout Michigan. She has also worked in various Human Resource capacities in the automotive market before launching her legal career. Judge Nance began her career as an attorney after obtaining a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. She worked on an assignment to the Office of the General Counsel at Ford Motor Company. Judge Nance gained invaluable experience working in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Domestic Violence Unit and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Child & Family Abuse Bureau. In 2001, she went into private practice at the Kemp Klein Law Firm, where she developed a successful litigation practice in Civil Litigation, Probate Litigation, Juvenile & Family Litigation, and Adoption Law. Judge Nance has lived in Southfield for over 30 years.

Michigan Criminal Defense Attorneys who win in the Southfield, Michigan!

If you are facing any criminal offense in the 46th District Court in Southfield, Michigan, you should have the help of an attorney who practices in that court regularly. The attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. frequently defend clients facing criminal charges in the 46th District Court. Our attorneys have excellent working relationships with the judges, court staff, and prosecutors in the 46th District Court. Our attorneys come prepared and ready to win for our clients.

LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. takes its obligation to represent clients to the highest standard possible very seriously. Our attorneys are passionate about ensuring that the Constitution is honored in every case and rights are protected. We do not consider our clients’ representation as “a job.” It is an honor to stand between a person charged with a crime and an over-zealous prosecutor. We make sure that the government does everything required under the law. The lawyers at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. are well respected for their professionalism, integrity, and experience. If you face criminal charges in Southfield’s 46th District Court, you need the best legal help available. Call us for a free consultation today.

Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.