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If you have been arrested and charged with drunk driving or any other criminal offense in Ferndale, your case will be handled by the Ferndale division of the 43rd District Court. Due to the harsh sentencing typically levied by Oakland County courts, it is very important that you work with an expert criminal attorney that has a history of successfully defending clients against these charges. An experienced drunk driving attorney will have a solid working relationship with the prosecutors, judges and court system overall, which is critical for ensuring your case is painted in the best light in order to have the best possible outcome.
DUI & OWI Charges At Ferndale’s 43rd District Court
As one of the three divisions of the 43rd District Court, the Ferndale division serves an important function in the Oakland County legal system. However as part of the Oakland county justice system, the court gives out harsh sentencing for offenses involving driving under the influence. This is true even for first time offenders, which makes this court system especially risky for those who find themselves facing DUI charges within its jurisdiction.
If you are charged with first offense OWI within the jurisdiction of the 43rd District Court system, it is almost guaranteed that you will be charged to the fullest extent of the law. Because of this, it is vital that you hire proper legal representation to protect your freedom and your future.
Court Jurisdiction
The 43rd District Court has limited jurisdiction due to the population size of the communities it serves. Below are a list of the communities specifically covered by this court:
- Madison Height
- Ferndale
- Hazel Park
It should be noted that the court system has a unique way of handling cases, with it having three separate locations, one for each of the cities it serves. Each location handles cases that occur within the city it resides, and therefore the Ferndale division of the court handles cases that originate within the boundaries of the City of Ferndale.
Ferndale District Court Location
The Ferndale 43rd District Court is located in the City of Ferndale, on the northside of 9 mile road just east of Woodward Ave. As a northern suburb of the metropolitan area bordering Detroit on eight mile road and surrounded by Royal Oak and Hazel Park to the north and south, Ferndale is a popular area within Oakland County. The address for the court as well as directions are listed below:
43rd District Court – Ferndale (D43)
Address: 305 E 9 Mile Rd
Ferndale, MI 48220
Get Directions
Phone: 248-547-8700
Website: www.ferndalecourt.com
43rd Ferndale District Court Judges
Hon. Joseph Longo – Elected to his position as Ferndales 43rd district court judge in 1998, the Honorable Judge Longo has a long history of public service. Graduating early from the University of Michigan in two years instead of four, Longo has a passion for serving his community and is committed to continued service in the 43 district court system. He holds his own unique sobriety court on a weekly basis with the aim to help people instead of just punishing them.
43rd District Court Resources
Sobriety Court – This program serves the purpose of promoting public safety byu reducing recidivism rates for those who have been convicted of OWI offenses. This program was implemented by Judge Longo in 2003 and has successfully helped to address recidivism in alcohol related offenses, resulting in a noticeable reduction in cases.
Traffic Court – Traffic fines, penalties and tickets are handled in the traffic court. Anything from parking tickets to fines for moving violations can be paid here, as well as disputed in front of a judge either in an informal or formal hearing.
Criminal Court – Felony and misdemeanor cases are handled here. This can involve anything from misdemeanor traffic offenses all the way up to the most serious felony cases such as murder, robbery, etc.
Civil Court – Any sort of general civil claim is handled through the civil court. This includes anything involving disputes of $25,000 or less, as well as small claims disputes up to $5,500. Landlord/Tenant disputes are also handled through this court.