Judge David M. Parrott

A graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School, was elected to be judge of the 34th District Court in 2002. Prior to being Judge of the Romulus District Court he was in private practice.

Judge Brian A. Oakley

The former defense attorney was re-elected to the bench without opposition in 2010 and again in 2016.

Judge Tina Brooks Green

A graduate of Eastern Michigan and the University of Detroit Law School was re-elected to the bench in 2012. Prior to serving as judge, she was a Wayne County Prosecutor and worked in private practice as well.

The procedure for a misdemeanor criminal charge at the 34th District Court is as follows:

Arraignment at the 34th District Court

This is the first time you will appear in the court and come in front of a judge or a magistrate. At arraignment you will formally be told what criminal offense you are being accused of and what the maximum possible penalty is that you are facing. The judge is not asking if you agree with the accusation or not, just simply if you understand it or not.

The judge will also address bond at this stage. Bond is a promise to return to court and may require you to pay money to the court along with other conditions such as random alcohol or drug testing.

The 34th District Court handles weekend arraignments for Wayne County. So you could be arraigned in the 34th District Court over the weekend even if you are being accused of committing a crime in another jurisdiction in Wayne County.

Pre Trial at the 34th District Court

After your arraignment you will get a date to come back to the court. The next stage is the pre trial. At the pre trial your lawyer will speak with the prosecuting attorney, that is the attorney who is trying to convict you of a crime and see what can be worked out. If the parties cannot agree on anything then the case may be set for a motion, evidentiary hearing, or trial.

Motions and Evidentiary Hearings

These hearings do not occur in every criminal case. They challenge legal issues like probable cause and reasonable suspicion but do not challenge facts. Facts, for the most part, can only be challenged at a trial.

Most motions are the 34th District Court are set as evidentiary hearings in criminal matters. This means that the arresting officer, or witnesses for the prosecution will have to appear and testify. You can think of it as a mini trial.

Trial at the 34th District Court

There are two types of trials, a bench trial where the judge will decide the facts of the case as well as the law, or a jury trial where the jurors will decide the facts and the judge will decide the law. If you are found guilty you will proceed to sentencing, if you are found not guilty then you are free to go. Most criminal charges are resolved without trial.

Sentencing at the 34th District Court

If you lose at trial, or if your lawyer works out a plea for you where you get some kind of deal then your next hearing will be the sentencing. Sentencing can be as simple as paying a small fine, or it can be the other end of the spectrum where you have to serve jail time.

In some cases you may be able to have your sentencing hearing the same day as your pre trial if your attorney has worked out a plea for you. This is very convenient for people who cannot miss additional time off work or live away from the court’s jurisdiction.

The prosecutor is the attorney that represents the city or state government and is against you. At the 34th District Court, each township or city has their own prosecutor. Certain misdemeanor charges and all felonies that occur within the jurisdiction of the 34th District Court are prosecuted by the State of Michigans Prosecutor’s Office.

Prosecutors work closely with police departments and their goal is to enforce the law. You should never talk with the prosecutor without your lawyer present. Any admission you make will be used against you.

Prosecutor for The City of Romulus

Fried Saperstein Abbatt PC – 31700 Telegraph Rd Ste 120, Bingham Farms, MI 48025

Prosecutor for New Boston and Huron Township

Foley & Robinette PC – 13349 Reeck Ct, Regency Park, Southgate, MI 48195

Prosecutor for the City of Belleville

Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC – 101 W Big Beaver Rd Ste 1000, Troy, MI 48084

Prosecutor for the Van Buren Township

Gasiorek Morgan Greco McCauley & Kotzian PC – 30500 Northwestern Hwy Ste 425, Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Prosecutor for Detroit Metro Airport

Zick Law Office – 3173 Biddle Ave, Wyandotte, MI 48192

Prosecutor for the Sumpter Township

Law Offices of Robert P. Young PC – 400 Monroe St Ste 480, Detroit, MI 48226

Prosecutor for the State of Michigan

Wayne County Prosecutor, Kym L. Worthy – 1441 Saint Antoine Street, Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, Detroit, MI 48226

The Sobriety Court program is an excellent option for anyone facing a second drunk driving offense. Typically, a second offense drunk driving within seven years carries jail time and the revocation of your driver license. In most situations, when you participate in sobriety court you avoid any upfront jail time and you have the opportunity to get your license back within a few weeks.

34th District Court Sobriety Court Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the 34th District Court’s Sobriety Court you must live within the jurisdiction, be a non-violent offender, and you must be someone that is abusing

34th District Court Sobriety Program

Generally the length of the program is 24 months but can be completed faster. Participants move through a total of three phases based on progress, compliance, and mandatory clean time. The following is a breakdown of each phase.

Phase I — Minimum 4 months

• Report to probation officer in person bi-weekly as directed by probation officer.
• Attend therapy as directed by probation
• Submit to breathalyzers 2 times per week at JAMS (drug screens at court)
• Attend Sobriety Court bi-weekly
• Attend 5-7 twelve step-meetings per week and provide written documentation
• Obtain a sponsor and provide written verification
• Attend/direct Sobriety Court participant session once per month (may be used as AA meeting)
• Have a family member/friend or sponsor attend Sobriety Court as directed
• Must have 90 days clean time to move to Phase II

Phase 2 – Minimum 4 months

• Report to probation officer in person 1-2 times per month or as directed by probation officer.
• Attend substance abuse counseling as directed by treatment provider
• Submit to drug screens/breathalyzers as directed by probation officer or treatment provider
• Attend Sobriety Court once per month or as directed
• Attend 12 step-meetings as ordered by probation and provide written documentation
• Maintain sponsor and provide written verification
• Have a family/friend member or sponsor attend Sobriety Court as directed
• Provide proof of employment and/or education
• Minimum 90 days clean time to move to Phase III

Phase in – Minimum 4 months

• Report to probation officer and/or Sobriety Court one time per month
• Attend substance abuse counseling as directed by treatment provider
• Submit to drug screen and breathalyzers as directed by probation officer or treatment provider
• Attend 12 step-meetings as ordered by probation and provide written documentation
• Maintain a sponsor and provide written verification
• Have a family member or sponsor attend Sobriety Court as directed
• Provide proof of employment and/or education
• Complete community service
• Minimum 90 days clean time to graduate
• Attend commencements with family member and/or sponsor (which may be scheduled up to 2 months after completed with this phase)
• Penalties for Violating Sobriety Court Probation
• Penalties for non-compliance with the sobriety court program can include anything from increased drug and alcohol testing to jail time. The ultimate violation is being kicked out of the sobriety court program.

Felony Fleeing and Eluding, Felony Malicious Destruction of Police Property, Open Alcohol – Dismissed

Our client was ordered to stop by police when they suspected him of driving drunk. Our client fled and crashed into a police vehicle. He was facing multiple felonies at a very young age. After weeks of negotiation all felonies were dropped in exchange for misdemeanor pleas. Our client didn’t have to serve a single day in jail and was given probation.

Felony Firearm and Felonious Assault – Reduced to misdemeanors

Our client was facing a mandatory two years in prison for the felony firearm charge alone. We were able to negotiate a deal to aggravated assault and the felonies were dismissed. He was given work release and sent home on a tether.

Dangerous Weapon at Airport – Dismissed

Our client forgot that she had a double-edged butterfly knife on her went she went through Detroit Metro Airport. She was detained and charged with a crime for bringing a weapon into the airport. We were able to get the criminal charge completely dismissed.

Dangerous Weapon at Airport – Dismissed

Our client used his wife’s backpack and went through Detroit Metro Airport not realizing there was a Taser in the bag. He was detained and charged with a crime for bringing a weapon into the airport. We were able to get the criminal charge completely dismissed.

Domestic Violence – Dismissed

The state prosecutor charged our client with domestic violence in Romulus. After multiple meetings at court we were able to obtain a complete dismissal of the charge and our client’s bond was returned to him.