What Should You Expect at the 48th District Court in Bloomfield?

The 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan handles criminal misdemeanors, civil infractions, and the early stages of felony cases that arise in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Sylvan Lake, Bloomfield Township, and West Bloomfield Township. If you were arrested or cited in one of those communities, your arraignment will most likely take place at 4280 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills.

48th District Court at a glance

Court details come from the Michigan Courts directory and Oakland County’s court website and were checked in October 2026. Judges, hours, and procedures can change, so call the court to confirm before you go.

What cases does the 48th District Court hear?

Michigan district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over criminal matters where the maximum penalty does not exceed one year in jail (MCL 600.8311). In the Bloomfield area that includes misdemeanors such as first-offense drunk driving (OWI), retail fraud, and assault and battery, as well as traffic misdemeanors and civil infractions. In felony cases the district court handles the arraignment, bond, and preliminary examination. If the judge finds probable cause, the case moves to circuit court for trial.

Traffic tickets that are civil infractions go through the court’s traffic division. A finding of responsibility is reported to the Secretary of State, which adds the violation to your driving record and assesses points. For informal hearings and pre-hearings, the court’s website says adjournments are discouraged and must be requested in writing at least 48 hours before the hearing.

What happens at your arraignment?

Michigan law requires that an arrested person be taken before a court without unnecessary delay, and the arraignment can be held by two-way video (MCR 6.104(A); MCR 6.006(A)). At the arraignment the judge or magistrate tells you the charge and your rights, decides whether you will be released and on what conditions, and, if you cannot afford a lawyer, appoints one (MCR 6.005). On a felony charge the court must also tell you about your right to a preliminary examination, and it may not ask you to enter a plea or question you about the offense (MCR 6.104(E)). Bond decisions follow MCR 6.106 and MCL 765.6.

How does a felony case move through the court?

1. Arraignment. The court sets the dates for the next two hearings at the arraignment (MCL 766.4(1)).
2. Probable cause conference. This takes place 7 to 14 days after arraignment. The lawyers discuss whether the case will go to a preliminary examination, be waived, or be resolved by a plea (MCL 766.4(1); MCR 6.104(E)(4)).
3. Preliminary examination. Unless waived or adjourned, this takes place 5 to 7 days after the conference. The prosecutor must show probable cause that a felony was committed and that you committed it, and the court follows the Michigan Rules of Evidence (MCR 6.110(C)).
4. Bindover. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is sent to the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac for trial.

With the court’s approval, the parties may agree to hold the examination earlier than 5 days after the conference (MCL 766.4(4)). If a party objects, the court may not adjourn the examination without finding good cause on the record (MCR 6.110(B)(1)).

Bloomfield Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested or charged with a DUI, a misdemeanor or felony offense, a traffic ticket violation, or a probation violation in the 48th District Court, you need Bloomfield Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney Kevin Bessant of the Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates to aggressively defend your rights. Attorney Bessant has established working relationships with the 48th District Court over the years and will review your case with you personally.

If you have a pending case at the 48th District Court, call 313-658-8159 today for a free consultation to discuss your rights and how we can help you defend your case.

Frequently asked questions about the 48th District Court

Where is the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills?

The 48th District Court is at 4280 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302. Oakland County lists public hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the court’s number is (248) 647-1141.

Which communities does the 48th District Court serve?

The court serves the cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, and Sylvan Lake, and the charter townships of Bloomfield and West Bloomfield.

Who are the judges of the 48th District Court?

As of October 2026 the Michigan Courts directory lists Chief Judge Diane D’Agostini and Judges Kimberly F. Small and Marc Barron. Assignments can change after elections or appointments.

What happens at a felony arraignment in Bloomfield Hills?

The judge or magistrate tells you the charge and your right to a preliminary examination, sets bond, and appoints a lawyer if you cannot afford one. The court then sets a probable cause conference 7 to 14 days later and a preliminary examination 5 to 7 days after that (MCL 766.4(1); MCR 6.104(E)).

Legal Authority: Court Rules and Statute

District court jurisdiction is set by MCL 600.8311. Arraignment is governed by MCR 6.104, district court criminal procedure by MCR 6.610, and preliminary examinations by MCL 766.4 and MCR 6.110. Bond follows MCL 765.6 and MCR 6.106, and the right to counsel is in MCR 6.005. For the current text of these rules, see the Michigan Court Rules published by the Michigan Courts and the text of MCL 766.4 on the Michigan Legislature’s website.