Preparing for the 52-2 District Court in Clarkston

Getting charged with a DUI in Clarkston or surrounding communities can be very upsetting. And because law enforcement in Oakland County is so serious about DUIs, it can be especially troubling. After all, the 52-2 District Court is known for giving strict sentencing and even jail time to first offenders.

Plus, as you prepare to head into the 52-2 District Court, you may not have an idea what to expect. So it’s understandable that you may be feeling even more apprehensive about your court date.

One way to alleviate some of that worry is to seek counsel from a highly experienced DUI attorney. Another is to fully explore and understand the court’s process.

Looking at DUI Charges at 52-2 District Court in Clarkston?

If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Oakland County, you are likely wondering probably what sort of penalties you might face.

For a first offense, you could receive fines of up to $500, up to 93 days in jail, and as many as 360 hours of community service. Along with a misdemeanor on your criminal record, you may also face vehicle immobilization that requires the installation of an ignition interlock device during the probationary period.

For a second offense, these penalties can increase and become even more harsh with a possible felony conviction with three or more offenses.

A Brief Summary of the Judges at 52-2 District Court

An experienced attorney who has defended many cases in the 52-2 District Court will be well versed in the judicial processes that the judges below follow.  Explore the background on each judge to help in your case preparation and to help you feel a little more confidence about who you’ll see in court.

1. Honorable Joseph G. Fabrizio

Receiving his Juris Doctorate Degree, cum laude, from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Judge Joseph G. Fabrizio was elected to the 52nd District Court in November of 2008 and appointed Chief Judge for all of the 52nd District Courts in 2018. As a presiding judge of the court, he manages a full criminal and civil docket and participates in specialty courts and programs including both Sobriety and Teen Court. He’s also involved in training programs for law students as well as elementary and high school-aged students.

2. Honorable Kelley Kostin

Judge Kelley Kostin received her Juris Doctorate Degree in 1991 from the University of Detroit Law School while clerking for the Hon. Fred M. Mester of the Oakland County Circuit Court. She served as an associate in a private law firm for thirteen years before taking the bench in January 2005. Active in numerous community organizations including The Clarkston Area Optimists, Judge Kostin was also a Trustee for Notre Dame Preparatory Academy and was honored by the Chamber of Commerce as Clarkston’s “Youth Volunteer of the Year” in 2002.

What Happens When You Show Up at the Court

Before you face a trial for your DUI charge, you’ll undergo a pretrial process to determine what sort of assistance you may need. This assistance is typically in the form of police reports, blood testing logs, and/or video recordings. This pretrial process gives the court time to recognize issues that may or may not be present with the evidence before you go to actual trial. 

During this process, charges against you will be laid out and your bond will be scheduled. The bond often requires no payment. Rather, it’s considered a personal bond with a promise that you’ll appear in all required future court appearances. You may not be allowed to leave the state without permission from the court and you’ll likely be ordered to comply with conditions such as alcohol testing.

In general, most defendants face two to four pretrials before the case is set for trial (unless you enter a guilty plea). An honest and experienced lawyer knows that settling in the first pretrial isn’t always to your advantage, since he or she will not have had proper time to obtain and review all of the evidence. So be wary of any DUI attorney who claims he or she can save you time and anguish with a plea bargain.

Court Location and Other Pertinent Information

The 52nd District Court, Division 2, is located at 5850 Lorac Drive in Clarkston (zip code is 48346). The court is just north of the downtown Clarkston area.

You can reach the court by phone at 248-625-4880, or on the internet at www.oakgov.com/courts/district-courts/52-2/.

Get the Best DUI Attorney Fighting for You

If you’re facing a drunk driving charge in Novi, you want an attorney who has experience working with the 52-2 District Court system, and that’s attorney Jose Fanego.

So contact us today or call (248) 645-1400 to get the best representation from a professional who knows his way around the specific processes and procedures of this court.