52-2 District Court Judge Joseph G. Fabrizio in Clarkston

The Clarkston District Court is located at 5850 Lorac Dr, Village of Clarkston, Michigan, 48346. The court handles misdemeanor charges and the initial stages of felony matters.

The Honorable Joseph Fabrizio

After graduating from Brother Rice High School, Judge Joseph Fabrizio in Clarkston attended the Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree. He then went to the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and earned his Juris Doctorate law degree cum laude (with honors). As you may imagine, graduating from law school with honors is a notable achievement and is indicative of a hard-working and knowledgeable lawyer and judge. Attorneys who regularly appear before Judge Fabrizio understand they must be 100% prepared for a case in Judge Fabrizio’s court and be ready to answer any questions the judge may ask. He is not shy about challenging a defense lawyer, and an unprepared attorney will struggle to find success in his courtroom.

The 52-2 District Court serves the communities of the Townships of Brandon, Holly, Groveland, Rose, Springfield, White Lake, and the Villages Clarkston, Holly, and Ortonville.

Professional History and Community Involvement

In addition to legal-oriented organizations, Judge Fabrizio is involved in charitable and non-profit groups such as the Clarkston Conservatory of Music and Clarkston SCAMP (a camp for children with special needs). Judge Fabrizio is a lifelong resident of Clarkston.

Before practicing law, Judge Fabrizio clerked for Judge Steven Andrews in the Oakland County Circuit Court. After law school, Judge Fabrizio joined his father’s law firm, Fabrizio & Brook, P.C., and became its managing partner. Aside from his duties on the bench, Judge Fabrizio participates in diversion programs at the court, such as Sobriety Court and Teen Court, and other specialty programs that reduce recidivism as their goal, rather than pure punishment.

Judge Fabrizio is involved with several mock trial forums from elementary school through law school-aged students, as well as training programs in law school. Judge Joseph Fabrizio in Clarkston was elected to the 52-2 District Court bench in 2008, and in 2012 he was nominated by his judicial peers to serve as President of the Oakland County District Judge’s Association.

Types of criminal cases handled by Judge Fabrizio

Judge Joseph Fabrizio in Clarkston handles three types of cases in his court:

Civil infractions such as traffic tickets are cases punishable by a fine and sometimes points on your driving record. You cannot go to jail due to a civil infraction, but you can lose your driving privileges under certain circumstances.

Misdemeanors are violations of state or local laws that can result in up to one year in the Oakland County Jail. In addition to possible jail time, Judge Fabrizio can also sentence someone to two years of probation. Probation means the court monitors the defendant to ensure they don’t get into any more trouble, meets regularly with probation, doesn’t use drugs or alcohol, participates in therapy or education, and more.

Felonies are criminal charges carrying a potential penalty of more than one year in the Oakland County Jail, which means state prison. In addition to possible prison time, a defendant convicted of a felony may serve up to five (5) years of probation.

The Oakland County Jail in Pontiac, Michigan, is for the incarceration of persons sentenced to a year or less in jail or for those awaiting the disposition of their charges in Clarkston’s 52-2 District Court when they are unable to post bond.

Judge Fabrizio’s Court Docket

Judge Joseph Fabrizio would handle every part of a misdemeanor case in Clarkston, Michigan, from a warrant’s issuance, through sentencing or dismissal. He only has the authority to handle parts of a felony prosecution. For example, a felony exam is a probable cause hearing to determine if the prosecutor has enough evidence to support the charges against someone. If the district judge decides the prosecutor has not introduced sufficient evidence or the defense lawyer has successfully attacked the evidence, he will dismiss the case. Conversely, if the prosecution presents adequate evidence, he will send the case to the Oakland County Circuit Court unless the government and the defense can agree to a misdemeanor resolution of the charges. This is commonly referred to as a plea bargain. Judge Fabrizio is known for ordering challenging sentences tempered by thoughtful contemplation and a commitment to rehabilitating offenders appearing in his courtroom.

Examples of misdemeanors handled by Judge Joseph Fabrizio in Clarkston:

Assault and Battery
Domestic Violence
Drunk Driving 1st or 2nd Offense
Lower-level Drug Cases
Retail Fraud 2nd or 3rd Degree (shoplifting)
Violation of Probation

Examples of felony cases for which a preliminary exam may be held:

Felonious Assault
Home Invasion
Murder and Manslaughter
Armed or Unarmed Robbery
Retail Fraud 1st Degree
Carrying a Concealed Weapon
Drug Charges

Probation Violations in the 52-2 District Court

Probationers in the 52-2 District Court in Clarkston are held to a zero-tolerance standard relative to complying with the terms and conditions of Judge Joseph Fabrizio’s sentences. When the judge believes that jail is appropriate for a probation violation, he will not hesitate to order a significant or maximum term of incarceration. This being said, Judge Fabrizio will listen to and consider a compelling, credible argument for a rehabilitative or non-jail sentence as an alternative. Common probation violation allegations include:

a positive alcohol or drug test,
new criminal activity or an arrest,
failure to report police contact,
violation of a no-contact order,
failure to maintain full-time employment or education,
failure to complete therapy or an education program, and
arriving late or failing to appear for a probation meeting or drug/alcohol test.

52-2 District Court - Clarkston Criminal Defense Lawyers

A criminal defense law firm that regularly handles criminal cases before Judge Joseph Fabrizio in Clarkston

The attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C., regularly appear before Judge Fabrizio. We have had excellent experiences in his court. Judge Fabrizio and his staff know that the Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. will do whatever it takes to defend our clients, and they respect our zealous representation. We maintain a mutually respectful relationship, and Judge Fabrizio knows that when our attorneys make a representation in court, it can be trusted. Judge Fabrizio’s professional standards are high, and we believe we meet them every time.

If you have a felony or misdemeanor case before Judge Fabrizio, call LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. for a free consultation, and we will find a way to help you.

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.