Wayne County Circuit Court

Third Judicial Circuit Court for Wayne County, Michigan

The Wayne County Circuit Court has four divisions: Civil, Criminal, Family Domestic, and Juvenile. Here is what you need to know!

Wayne County Circuit Court – What You Need to Know

With nearly 60 judges and three different divisions of operations, the Third Judicial Circuit is Michigan’s largest and most comprehensive circuit court. Matters of civil law, criminal law, and family law that arise in the County of Wayne are all subject to the jurisdiction of the Third Circuit Court. The National Center for State Courts designated the Wayne County Circuit Court as one of the model urban courts in the United States for case flow management and the prompt resolution of the Court’s docket. The Chief Judge and the Executive Court Administrator are jointly responsible for the overall administrative duties associated with the functioning of the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan. They are, however, subject to the guidance of the State Court Administrator’s Office and the Michigan Supreme Court.

There are Five (5) Wayne County Circuit Court Locations

Family Division – Domestic Relations, Family Law, Divorce
2 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226

Court Office Hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm – Monday through Friday
Friend of the Court Hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm – Monday through Friday

Criminal Division

The Criminal Division of the Wayne County Circuit Court, located in the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center, hears all felony cases bound over from the district courts in Wayne County, such as the 36^th District Court, and district court criminal appeals from misdemeanor convictions. Some matters are eligible for an expedited docketing process. A felony is a criminal charge with a possible sentence exceeding one year up to life in prison. The Criminal Division judges preside over arraignments on the information (AOI), pretrials, motions, evidentiary and suppression hearings, plea hearings, bench and jury trials, sentencing, appeals from the district courts, and post-judgment motions (such as 6.500 Motions).

Examples of felony matters in Wayne Court include the following:

• Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) Third Offense
• Felonious Assault (Assault with a Deadly Weapon)
• Felony Firearm and Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Criminal Sexual Conduct
• Homicide and Murder
• Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon
• Domestic Violence – Third Offense
• Retail Fraud First-Degree
• White-Collar Crimes (Embezzlement, Fraud, etc.)
• Drug Possession, Delivery, and Manufacture

Felony Arraignment in the Wayne County Circuit Court

Arraignment on the Information (AOI) is the first circuit court hearing in felony matters. Usually, the AOIs occur in the Arraignment Courtrooms; however, more severe charges go directly to one of the various trial judges. At the AOI, the judge reviews the charges and bail with the defendants. The judge will enter a “not guilty” plea for the defendant unless the criminal defense attorney can negotiate a plea deal. Felony charges are resolved by plea bargain, trial, or dismissal.

Although it is always best to retain a criminal defense lawyer when possible, indigent defendants can request court-appointed counsel if no other alternative exists.

The Criminal Division Pretrial Units

The Criminal Division of the Wayne County Circuit Court has several pretrial units, including the following:

Pre-Arraignment Unit

Pretrial Service Specialists interview defendants, conduct prior record investigations, and assess a defendant’s risk of appearing for hearings and their risk to public safety.

Investigations Unit

Pretrial Service Specialists review and evaluate the information from the pre-arraignment interview, conduct prior record investigations, and assess a defendant’s risk of appearing at future hearings and their risk to the public if the judge orders them to serve a term of probation.

Guidelines Unit

Pretrial Service Specialists in this Unit review and assess a defendant’s criminal history information and provide reports to the judges regarding the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines.

Supervision Unit

The Supervision Unit monitors defendants on bond and awaiting trial. Defendants unable to post or furnish their bond can always file a Motion to Reduce Bond.

Felony Probation Department

The probation department conducts presentence investigations for defendants awaiting sentencing hearings and investigates and files Wayne County Circuit Court probation violations. Defendants facing a probation violation are subject to prison sentences up to the maximum on their original charge.

Civil Division of the Wayne County Circuit Court

The Civil Division is located at Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. The Civil Division judges hear cases involving claims of more than $25,000. These cases include personal injury, medical malpractice, auto negligence, contracts, employment discrimination, and receiverships. In addition, the Civil Division Judges are responsible for hearing appeals of district court civil cases and administrative agencies in Wayne County.

Family Division

Cases handled include divorce, paternity, personal protection orders, the emancipation of minors, name changes, parental waivers, and infectious disease matters. These cases might have custody, support, parenting time, property, etc. As these matters are generally complex, it is in a litigant’s best interest to have an experienced family law attorney to help navigate the court system and protect their rights. Family Division hearings occur at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC). The Friend of the Court (FOC) is in the Penobscot Building, 645 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226. The FOC assists with custody, parenting time, and child support matters.

Family Division-Juvenile

The Family Division judges at the Lincoln Hall of Justice, 1025 E. Forest Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207, hear cases involving juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect, adoption, and adolescent mental health matters. The Third Circuit Court Clinic for Child Study, a part of the Family Division, provides family-focused services to empower at-risk and court-involved youth and their families to build healthy futures. Several programs are available to Juvenile Division judges, including the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court – S.T.A.N.D. and Truancy Intervention Project (TIP). Juvenile defense lawyers typically represent minors charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses in Michigan.

Top Wayne County Circuit Court Criminal Defense Attorneys

The Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. has extensive experience and an unparalleled track record of success in the Wayne County Circuit Court and the various district courts. We’ve successfully defended thousands of clients against felony and misdemeanor charges. If you call us for a free consultation, we will take the time to speak with you, answer your questions, and work with you to develop a winning strategy. Don’t be sold out by the lowest bidder! Your future and reputation are too valuable to risk on an inexperienced lawyer, general practice attorney, or an attorney with a reputation for weak representation. When you walk into the courtroom with one of our criminal defense lawyers by your side, the judge and prosecutor will immediately know that you are getting the best defense possible.

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!

For More Information Regarding the Wayne County Circuit Court Defense Attorneys, Follow This Link

Wayne County, Michigan Circuit and District Courts

Wayne County, Michigan, features Detroit, diverse communities, cultural attractions, economic opportunities, and historic automotive industry. We routinely handle misdemeanor probation violations in district courts throughout Wayne County. The Courts in Wayne County are:

• 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne County Criminal Justice Center
• 16th District Court – Wayne
• 17th District Court – Wayne
• 19th District Court – Wayne
• 20th District Court – Wayne
• 21st District Court – Wayne
• 23st District Court – Wayne
• 24th District Court – Wayne
• 25th District Court – Wayne
• 27th District Court – Wayne
• 29th District Court – Wayne
• 31st District Court – Wayne
• 32A District Court – Wayne
• 33rd District Court – Wayne
• 34th District Court – Wayne
• 36th District Court – Wayne

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Oakland County Circuit Court Wayne County Jail (known as Wayne County Criminal Justice Center) Macomb County Circuit Court Washtenaw County Circuit Court