Canton, MI Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you’re reading this, then either you or someone you know has been arrested or is under investigation by Canton, MI police or other law enforcement in Wayne County. Understandably, this can be a frightening time for everyone involved. At Grabel & Associates, we’ve represented thousands of people throughout the state who’ve been arrested on allegations of both felonies and misdemeanors, and some of the most common concerns our clients have include, What will happen to me? How will this affect my future? Will I go to jail? With the representation of a diligent and aggressive Canton, MI criminal defense lawyer serving Wayne County, you have a much better chance of reducing the potential consequences.

Our experienced and acclaimed defense attorneys can help, and if you’re innocent, we’ll relentlessly push for a not-guilty sentence. If the evidence is stacked against you, however, we’ll use a wide network of resources and insider knowledge of Wayne County courts to help you receive a reduced or alternative sentence or, in the best case scenario, a dropped charges resolution. If you’ve been arrested or are under investigation, don’t wait! Contact Grabel & Associates today for Canton’s most respected defense attorneys. In the meantime, you can continue reading below for essential information about criminal proceedings in Wayne County District and Circuit courts.

Criminal Proceedings if Arrested for a Misdemeanors and Felonies in Canton

For the complete statutes covering criminal procedures in Michigan, as well as definitions of legal terminology and the rights of the defendants, you can read through Chapter 6 of the Michigan Court Rules of 1985.

The first stage of the criminal process, whether for a misdemeanor or a felony, is the arrest and booking. Keep in mind that an alleged criminal can also be brought in on a “Arrest on a Warrant” or a “Summons Instead of Arrest.” Booking typically occurs at the police station, and in the case of the Canton Township, booking would be at the Canton Township Police Department at 1150 S Canton Center Road (Phone number: 734-394-5400).

Arraignment: According to Michigan law, an alleged criminal must be taken without unnecessary delay to the 35^th District Court in Plymouth for arraignment. Likewise, arraignment can also occur via two-way video technology (MCR 6.006A). Arraignment is the first step in the criminal proceedings for both misdemeanors and felonies, and during this step, the alleged criminal is brought before the judge, who then informs the defendant of the charges as well as the possible penalties. The judge also asks for a plea, and bonds and/or bail are determined.

Pre-Trial: This stage gives the defendant and his/her attorney the chance to speak with the prosecuting attorney with the goal of resolving the issue before it reaches the court. A resolution could include a plea bargain, in which no trial is thereafter held. If no plea is reached, the case goes to trial (either bench or jury trial). For felonies, the case will be transferred to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit.

Trial: This is the stage where the prosecution and defense present evidence to the judge or jury.

Sentencing: If found “guilty” of the crime, the defendant is brought before the judge, who determines the sentence based on the penalties provided by the law, the nature of the offense, and the criminal history of the defendant.

The 35^th District Court in Plymouth

When arrested in the Canton Township or outlying areas, including the townships of Northville and Plymouth as well as the cities of Northville and Plymouth, your case is processed at the 35^th District Court in Plymouth.

The location of the 35^th District Court is 660 Plymouth Road, Plymouth, MI. The phone number for the court is 1-734-459-4740. If you know the judge overseeing the case, you can contact his/her Deputy Clerk via email by visiting the 35^th District Court’s contact page.

The 35^th District Court handles misdemeanors from the arraignment stage through sentencing. For felonies, the court will only process the case from arraignment through the preliminary exam.

Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit

If you were arrested for a felony charge in Canton, MI, your case will be processed at the 35^th District Court solely through the preliminary exam. After the exam, the case transfers to the Circuit courts.

The Circuit court for Wayne County is the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan, and the criminal division is located at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice at 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit. Phone numbers for the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice are located on this page.

Contact the Grabel & Associates Today

At every stage of the criminal proceedings, there are numerous opportunities for police and prosecutors to violate your rights. With the guidance and representation of Grabel & Associates, Michigan’s most trusted and acclaimed law firm, we’ll aggressively represent your interests and ensure that you rights weren’t violated at any stage (if they were, we’ll use this information to get the charges dropped). From the moment you call, our experienced criminal defense attorneys will work by your side, putting your interests at the forefront of our defense strategy. If arrested or under investigation, it is essential to not wait and contact Grabel & Associates today at 1-800-342-7896. We’re available 24/7 for a free, emergency consultation.