52-1 Novi District Judge Travis Reeds

The Novi District Court is located at 48150 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48374. The Court handles all misdemeanor matters and the early stages of felony cases.

The Honorable Travis Reeds

52-1 District Court Judge Travis Reeds is a tough but fair judge in Novi, Michigan. He is one of three judges in the 52-1 Judicial District Court. Although many criminal defense lawyers fear the rulings and sentences ordered by Judge Reeds, prepared and experienced lawyers appreciate his impartiality and respect for those who appear before him. Great lawyers and their clients can rest assured they will be treated justly and get fair rulings.

He was elected in 2014, and he serves the communities of:

• Commerce Township,
• Highland Township,
• Lyon Township,
• Milford Township,
• Novi,
• Novi Township,
• South Lyon,
• Village of Milford,
• Village of Wolverine Lake,
• Walled Lake, and
• Wixom.

Judge Reeds received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Michigan University in 1994 and his Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School in 1997. While in private practice, Judge Reeds worked with his father at Reeds & Reeds in Walled Lake. While an attorney in private practice, he handled various civil and criminal cases.

While not adjudicating cases in his court, Judge Travis Reeds can often be found lecturing on legal matters for the Oakland County Bar Association and the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE). This organization provides updates on the law and practice advice to attorneys. He was on the ICLE Criminal Law Advisory Board and is a former Oakland County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council member. Judge Reeds is also a co-editor and co-author of the Michigan Criminal Procedure and Michigan Drunk Driving Law and Practice.

Judge Reeds is on the advisory board and contributor for the Michigan Model Criminal Jury Instructions. In 2013 and 2014, he was named a Michigan Super Lawyer and one of the Top 100 National Trial Lawyers. These are just some of Judge Reeds’ professional accomplishments.

Types of criminal cases handled by Judge Reeds

As with all district court judges, Judge Reeds handles all civil infractions (non-criminal matters which carry only a fine), all misdemeanors (cases that carry up to a possible one year in jail), and felony preliminary examinations (probable cause hearings for cases that carry a penalty of more than one year in jail). At a preliminary examination, if Judge Reeds finds probable cause to believe the defendant committed a felony, he will bind the case over to the Oakland County Circuit Court. If he doesn’t find sufficient proof, he will dismiss the case.

He also routinely has defendants appear before him with probation violation allegations. He is known as a tough but fair judge. Prepared, knowledgeable, and zealous lawyers tend to get the most favorable results before Judge Travis Reeds in the 52-1 District Court in Novi, Michigan.

A few examples of misdemeanor cases for which a trial may be held are:

• Retail Fraud 2nd and 3rd Degree
• Operating While Intoxicated or Driving Under the Influence 1st and 2nd Offense
• Domestic Violence
• Driving While License Suspended or Revoked
• Misdemeanor Drug Offenses
• Reckless Driving
• Larceny from a Building
• Assault and Battery
• Malicious Destruction of Property
• Violations of Probation

A few examples of felony cases for which a preliminary exam will be scheduled are:

• Felonious Assault
• Retail Fraud 1st Degree
• Home Invasion
• Larceny from a Person
• Breaking and Entering
• Armed and Unarmed Robbery
• Felony Drug Cases
• Criminal Sexual Conduct
• Aggravated Stalking
• Felony Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense

A community-oriented judge who cares for his constituents and believes in giving back

On a personal note, Judge Travis Reeds is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in South Lyon and a former Walled Lake Rotary club member. He often donates his time and participates in various local charitable organizations, including Kiwanis, Adopt a Highway program, the South Lyon Pumpkinfest, and others. He is a highly accomplished, devoted, and community-oriented judge.

Most of the judges in Oakland County have a state-wide reputation for being very tough on crime and ready to impose strict penalties. Some of these judges, at times, appear more stern than necessary. However, anyone who regularly practices in Judge Reed’s court knows he is fair and believes in imposing an appropriate penalty under the law. Most criminal defense bar attorneys agree that Judge Reeds is a judge who treats defense attorneys and defendants fairly and respectfully.

Judge Travis Reeds and Sentencing

In misdemeanor cases, Judge Travis Reeds can sentence a defendant to as long as one year in the Oakland County Jail and up to two years of probation. Judge Reeds frequently orders a term of probation, with or without jail time. Standard terms of probation in Judge Reed’s court are:

• regular reporting to a probation officer,
• drug and alcohol testing,
• mental health therapy,
• substance abuse counseling,
• community service,
• full-time employment or full-time education,
• tether or home confinement, and more.

Regularly and Successfully Handling Cases in Front of Judge Reeds

The highly skilled, experienced Novi defense attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. regularly appear before Judge Travis Reeds, and we have had very good experiences in his court. We have a mutually respectful relationship and understand what it takes to succeed in his courtroom. Judge Reeds appreciates preparation and professionalism. The Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. will do whatever it takes to win.

The best criminal defense lawyers know that Judge Reeds can be persuaded not to order jail time if a credible, influential argument is made that jail is unnecessary and an alternative is more appropriate. A lawyer must be organized, legally on-point, and fight to get the best possible result to succeed in his court.

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.

We will find a way to help you.
We Are Not Afraid to Win!

Michigan Judges