The 52nd District Court, 4th Division, in Troy, Michigan (known as 52-4) handles criminal misdemeanors, civil infractions, and the early stages of felony cases that arise in the cities of Troy and Clawson. If you were arrested or cited in either city, your arraignment will most likely take place at 520 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy.
52-4 District Court at a glance
| Court | 52nd District Court, Division 4 (52-4) |
|---|---|
| Address | 520 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48084 |
| Phone | (248) 528-0400 |
| Public hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Communities served | Cities of Troy and Clawson |
| Judges | Chief Judge Travis Reeds; Judges Maureen M. McGinnis and Kirsten Nielsen Hartig |
| Court website | Oakland County, 52nd District Court, Division 4 |
| Felony trial court | 6th Circuit Court, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341, (248) 858-0345 |
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 52-4 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 Troy and Clawson 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. You can request an informal hearing with a magistrate, where attorneys are not allowed, or a formal hearing before a judge, where a prosecutor represents the government and you may have an attorney. A finding of responsibility is reported to the Secretary of State, which adds the violation to your driving record and assesses points.
Practical details from the court’s website
- Court-appointed attorneys. You fill out an appointed attorney request form at your arraignment. The court reviews it to decide whether you are indigent and, if you are, sends it to the Oakland County Indigent Defense Services Office to appoint a lawyer. The court notes you may meet your appointed attorney for the first time on your court date.
- Traffic ticket tied to a criminal case. If you have a pending misdemeanor related to a civil infraction, the court warns that paying the civil infraction before your court date may influence the outcome of the criminal case. It asks you not to pay companion tickets until the matters are settled in court.
- Bench warrants. The court lists walk-in hours on a bench warrant of 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- After-hours drop box. A drop box at the public entrance accepts check or money order payments of tickets and criminal fines and costs, and criminal and probation filings. Do not leave cash.
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?
- Arraignment. The court sets the dates for the next two hearings at the arraignment (MCL 766.4(1)).
- 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)).
- 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)).
- 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)).
Troy Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
Troy Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney Kevin Bessant of the Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates has the experience and litigation skills to defend your charges and represent you in court. The 52-4 court hears misdemeanors and felonies, DUI cases, probation violations, and traffic ticket violations. With years of experience before Oakland County courts and prosecutors, Attorney Bessant can review your case and help you through it.
If you have a criminal matter at the 52-4 District Court, call 313-658-8159 today for a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions about the 52-4 District Court
Where is the 52-4 District Court in Troy?
The 52nd District Court, 4th Division, is at 520 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084. 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) 528-0400.
Who are the judges of the 52-4 District Court?
As of October 2026 the Michigan Courts directory lists Chief Judge Travis Reeds and Judges Maureen M. McGinnis and Kirsten Nielsen Hartig. Assignments can change after elections or appointments.
How do I get a court-appointed attorney at the 52-4 District Court?
Tell the judge or magistrate at your arraignment that you want a court-appointed attorney and fill out the request form. The court decides whether you are indigent and, if you are, sends the form to the Oakland County Indigent Defense Services Office for an appointment.
Should I pay a traffic ticket if I also have a misdemeanor charge in Troy?
The court’s website warns that paying a related civil infraction before your court date may influence the outcome of the criminal case and asks you to wait until the matters are settled. Talk to a lawyer before paying a companion ticket.
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.