If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense in the 43rd District Court, your case will be heard in one of the three branches of the 43rd District Court that exist in Ferndale, Madison Heights, or Hazel Park. Depending on where the offense was alleged to have occurred will determine which branch of the 43rd District Court will hear your case.

The 43rd District Court of Ferndale, Madison Heights, and Hazel Park is located in Oakland County. Oakland County is considered to be one of the “toughest” Counties in the state for criminal defendants. The presiding Judge in Ferndale is Judge Joseph Longo. The presiding Judge in Madison Heights is Judge Keith Hunt, and the presiding Judge in Hazel Park is Judge Charles Goedert. Many attorneys and defendants consider these “tough” Judges, and some attorneys will not practice in certain wings of the 43rd District Court. However, attorney William (Bill) Barnwell of Barnwell Law, PLLC has represented numerous clients in Ferndale, Hazel Park, and Madison Heights and is not afraid of these Courts and is happy to take your case and provide you with a top-notch defense.

Barnwell Law has represented individuals accused of various misdemeanors and felonies in these courts including DUI, OWI, other alcohol-related offenses, Indecent Exposure, Disorderly Conduct, drug crimes, Home Invasion, Breaking and Entering, Resisting Arrest (alleged offenses against the police), Driving While License Suspended, traffic matters, Assault, Battery, Domestic Violence, and a host of other offenses that range from serious felonies, to lower level misdemeanors. This list is not exhaustive, but our attorney has successfully represented numerous individuals before all three Judges and Courts of various misdemeanor and felony allegations.

If you are facing a misdemeanor, such as Retail Fraud in the 3rd or 2nd Degree, your case will stay in the 43rd District Court in Ferndale, Madison Heights, or Hazel Park (depending on where the crime was alleged to have occurred). If you are being charged with any felony, whether it is drug or alcohol related (substances such as heroin, cocaine, meth, mushrooms, marijuana, a 3rd Drunk Driving/DUI/OWI offense, etc), a property offense such as felony larceny or embezzlement, home invasion, breaking and entering, a homicide or murder related allegation, etc, then your case will begin in Ferndale, Madison Heights, or Hazel Park, and if not dismissed at your Probable Cause Hearing, traditionally known as a Preliminary Exam, the case will proceed to the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac.

It can not be emphasized enough how “tough” the Courts can be in the 43rd District and Oakland County overall. This is why you need an attorney experienced not only with Criminal Law, but each branch of the 43rd District, as well as the 6th Circuit Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac if you are facing a felony. Our attorney is not afraid to take your case to trial in any of these Courts. He has a winning trial record across Michigan and Metro-Detroit for various misdemeanor and felony trials, as well as a well-documented record of success for clients who do not want to take their cases to trial, but instead desire to work out some other favorable form of resolution.

If you have been charged with an offense anywhere in Oakland County, such as with the 43rd District Court’s jurisdiction of Ferndale, Hazel Park, or Madison Heights, or a felony case that will ultimately be heard in the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac, it is essential that you call Bill Barnwell of Barnwell Law today.

Our attorney is on call 24/7 and will take your call in your time of need, or respond to your message as soon as possible. Our attorney is also an exclusive criminal defense attorney who has been highly ranked by his peers, the overall legal community, and countless previous clients.

Call Bill of Barnwell Law, PLLC today at (810) 394-2952 to schedule your consultation.

In my practice, I have defended a number of cases involving Indecent Exposure or Aggravated Indecent Exposure. Recently I had positive resolutions in the felony cases of Aggravated Indecent Exposure case in St. Clair County, Macomb County, Oakland County and Wayne County. These cases originated out of Port Huron, Warren, Ferndale, and Detroit. I have handled these types of cases in multiple counties and other cities as well. The difference between the two cases are significant. An “Aggravated” offense carries a two-year maximum penalty and is treated in a procedural fashion as a felony. A regular Indecent Exposure is a serious misdemeanor that carries up to one-year in the county jail.

Depending upon certain prior offenses, a conviction for Indecent Exposure or Aggravated Indecent exposure could land a client on the SORA Registry (Sex Offender Registry Act).
Most Courts and Probation offices look at any offense involving sexuality with a particular ire. Sometimes these types of cases can be wrongly charged. Other times, client’s might be dealing with tough issues that bring them to a point where they act out in ways where they otherwise wouldn’t have acted out.

With years of experience as a counselor and non-profit leader, I’ve learned never to judge people who have made mistakes, who are contrite, and are willing to take responsibility.

The bottom line is many Indecent cases can be beat if the Prosecution cannot meet their burden of proof.

But many other times, the Prosecution has a strong case. And I, as the defense attorney, have to assist the client in getting the help they need to avoid a jail term.

Also, for many offenders, sometimes the case can be wiped off a client’s public record after a successful term of probation.

Many possibilities exist depending upon the facts and circumstances. The “Barnwell Defense” will be able to judge what is the best approach. Call an attorney who not only has experience with these cases, but will look at you as a human being, and not condemn you. An attorney who will help paint a broader picture to the Court that the police report and Probation Department often don’t see.

If you are facing a charge of Indecent or Aggravated Indecent Exposure, contact Barnwell Law today at (810) 394-2952 for your free consultation and to begin formulating an effective defense.

As a criminal defense attorney whose practice focuses solely on criminal law and criminal defense, Barnwell Law, PLLC is well-known in many counties throughout Michigan, including Oakland County.

If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor offense in Oakland County such as DUI, OWI, or drunk driving, Oakland County is one of the toughest counties in the state as it relates to alcohol charges, and criminal charges in general. In fact, in certain District Courts, jail is a very real possibility, even for first-time offenders. This is why it is extremely important to hire a skilled criminal defense attorney who knows how each District Court operates. This includes offenses such as Disorderly Conduct, Drunken Disorderly Conduct, Jostling, Public Urination, and other offenses that are often connected with alcohol or substance abuse.

Other common misdemeanors in Oakland County and most other courts are drug crimes, including misdemeanor offenses such as possession of marijuana, driving while license suspended, retail fraud, assault, assault and battery, and various other misdemeanor offenses.

Far more serious is felony offenses such as possession of drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and other recreational drugs such as ecstasy, methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, and prescription drugs that are unlawfully obtained. These can be prescription drugs like Vicodin, Xanax, Oxycontin, and various opioid drugs including painkillers.  Possessing these prescription drugs can result in charges such as Possession of Analogues. Other offenses can include Maintaining a Drug House, and various other drug crimes.

Far more serious than drug possession cases, are Distributing and Manufacturing cases. These can carry prison sentences of 7 years, 20 years, or more depending on the substance and the offense. These are much more serious charges than possession charges, but even possession charges are very serious. For instance, possessing any amount of methamphetamine or meth is a maximum penalty of 10 years in state prison.

There are a host of other commonly charged offenses that range from retail fraud, larceny, embezzlement, home invasion, breaking and entering, criminal sexual conduct, sex crimes, homicide, murder, and many other misdemeanors and felonies.  It is important to note that even in major allegations of murder and homicide, defenses exist and a skilled defense attorney is needed for these offenses that can result in life in prison. Sex Crimes, such as allegations of First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, 2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, and 4th Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct can be beat. People can be falsely accused. In fact, our attorney has successfully defended people in Oakland County wrongly accused of sex crimes.

The good new is Barnwell Law has a record of winning jury trials in Oakland County, and countless other favorable outcomes for clients who resolved there cases short of a trial. Our attorney has handled routine cases and many high profile cases and you can learn more about the “Barnwell Defense” here. 

Our attorney is also a top-rated attorney who has received the highest marks from various attorney review sites. So don’t just take our word for it. Read what actual clients have had to say and the various awards our attorney has received. According to AVVO, a reputable attorney-rating and review site, Bill Barnwell is a 10 rated attorney — the highest rating an attorney can receive. 

Our attorney has practiced in every District Court in Oakland County, including Oakland County Circuit Court. This includes District Courts in Royal Oak, Troy, Novi, Rochester Hills, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Ferndale, Oak Park, Southfield, Pontiac, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Berkley, Waterford, and Farmington Hills. In fact, if you visit our webpage, you can see a breakdown of each District Court in Oakland County. Here is an example of our Oakland County Circuit Court page. 

The important point is this: Oakland County is tough. But with skilled and experience defense counsel, you will have a dedicated advocate and defense attorney at your side whether you are facing any kind of misdemeanor or felony.

It is important to note that Barnwell Law has a state-wide presence and has practiced all throughout Michigan and delivered solid results for clients state-wide. Oakland is just one of the many counties that our attorney Bill (William) Barnwell has regular experience fighting for clients. But our attorney knows Oakland County and the ins and outs of the system.

If you are facing a misdemeanor or felony charge in Oakland County or anywhere else in Michigan, be sure to contact Barnwell Law today at (810) 394-2952. Our attorney is on call 24 hours a day and for emergencies. Retain a respected attorney with results who enjoys advocating for his clients.