Law Offices ofScott E. RabautCriminal Defense

    Looking for a criminal defense attorney in Clinton Township?

    Clinton Township Criminal Defense Attorney

    Take a breath. A charge in Clinton Township, whatever it is, feels overwhelming at first, and it is hard to know what the court, the process, or the outcome will look like. A charge is not a conviction. Wherever you are in this right now, start here.

    Just arrested

    Stay quiet. You have the right to remain silent, and it is rarely a mistake to use it. Do not explain your side, do not argue, and do not post about it. Then call.

    Arrested and released

    You likely have an arraignment coming at the 41B District Court. The time before that first date matters. Reaching an attorney now gives Scott the most room to help.

    Waiting on a court date

    A ticket or a notice in the mail still means a court date in Clinton Township. Knowing which court, which judge, and what to expect changes how you walk in.

    Worried about someone you love

    You do not have to know the law to help. Tell them you love them, tell them to stay quiet, write down what you remember, and call. Scott takes it from there.

    Call Now — (586) 243-4140

    Live answer 24/7 · Flat fee pricing · Macomb County home court

    Charged in Clinton Township? Here Is What You Are Facing.

    Clinton Township is one of the largest townships in Michigan, home to more than 100,000 residents, and it sits in the heart of Macomb County. It is also a busy enforcement area. The Clinton Township Police Department is the primary local agency, and the Michigan State Police patrol I-94 as it runs through the township.

    Traffic stops and arrests are common along the Hall Road (M-59) retail corridor, Gratiot Avenue, Groesbeck Highway (M-97), Garfield Road, Metropolitan Parkway, and I-94. People are charged here every day with OWI and DUI, domestic violence, drug possession, retail fraud, assault, and felony offenses.

    When you are charged with a crime in Clinton Township, your case begins at the 41B District Court. If you are facing a felony, it eventually binds over to the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. Scott appears in both courts. Macomb County is his home county, and he externed at the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, so he has seen how these cases are built from the inside.

    The 41B District Court, What to Expect

    Court address

    22380 Starks Drive Clinton Township, MI 48036 (586) 469-9300

    Jurisdiction

    Handles misdemeanor cases and felony arraignments and preliminary examinations for Clinton Township, Mount Clemens, and Harrison Township

    Felony cases go to

    16th Circuit Court 40 N. Main St. Mt. Clemens, MI 48043

    The Judges of the 41B District Court

    Every judge runs their courtroom differently on bond, sentencing, plea negotiations, and trial management. Scott appears in the 41B District Court and understands how it handles criminal cases.

    Hon. Sebastian Lucido

    Chief Judge, 41B District Court

    Hon. Jacob Femminineo Jr.

    Judge, 41B District Court

    Hon. Carrie Lynn Fuca

    Judge, 41B District Court

    Criminal charges Scott defends in Clinton Township

    Find your situation below. Each one links to a plain-language page on what it means in Clinton Township and Macomb County, what is at risk, and what can be done about it.

    OWI/DUI

    One bad decision behind the wheel should not define the rest of your life. Your license, your record, and your job are on the table, and all three are defensible.

    Learn More →

    Domestic Violence

    These cases move fast and hit close to home, including where you live and whether you can see your kids. The earliest hours matter most.

    Learn More →

    Drug Crimes

    Michigan's penalties are stiff, but first-offender options and other defenses can change the outcome.

    Learn More →

    Felony Charge

    A felony follows you. You need someone who treats your case with the seriousness it deserves and tells you the truth about it.

    Learn More →

    Misdemeanor Charge

    Even a misdemeanor can show up on a background check for years. It is worth defending.

    Learn More →

    Pre-Charge or Under Investigation

    If detectives have reached out, you still have options, and they are widest right now, before anything is filed.

    Learn More →

    Traffic Offense

    From speeding to reckless driving, handled at every level of severity.

    Learn More →

    Juvenile Petition

    Your child made a mistake. That does not have to define their future.

    Learn More →

    Why Clinton Township residents choose Scott E. Rabaut

    Scott E. Rabaut, criminal defense attorney, professional portrait

    A name these courthouses already know

    Second-generation defense. Nine years building his own practice here.

    He has seen it from every side

    Prosecutor's office, loss prevention, Department of Corrections.

    Criminal defense is all he does

    Not a general practice. This is the whole practice.

    You sit down with Scott

    The person who hears your story is the person who handles your case.

    Start with a free conversation

    Your first consultation costs nothing. Real answers, not a forum thread.

    Flat-fee pricing, no surprises

    You know your full fee up front. No surprise invoices later.

    24/7 live answer

    Day or night, your call reaches a real person, not a recording.

    Call Now — (586) 243-4140

    What Happens After You Are Charged in Clinton Township

    The criminal process in Clinton Township follows a specific sequence. Understanding each stage, and having an attorney at every step, significantly affects the outcome.

    01

    Arrest and booking

    You are taken to the Clinton Township Police Department or the Macomb County Jail. You may be released on a provisional bond the same night or held until arraignment. Do not make statements to police without an attorney present.

    02

    Arraignment at the 41B District Court

    Your first court appearance. You are formally told what you are charged with, and the judge sets your bond. Having Scott present at arraignment often results in a lower bond than you would receive without legal representation.

    03

    Pre-trial conference

    Scott meets with the Macomb County prosecutor assigned to your case. He goes through the evidence, identifies weaknesses, and begins negotiating for a reduction, diversion, or dismissal.

    04

    Preliminary examination (felonies only)

    For felony cases, the prosecution must present evidence to justify binding your case over to Circuit Court. Scott can challenge witnesses and evidence at this stage, and sometimes gets felony charges dismissed here.

    05

    Circuit Court (felonies) or plea or trial (misdemeanors)

    Felony cases bind over to the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. Misdemeanor cases resolve at the 41B District Court through a plea agreement or trial. Scott prepares every case as if it is going to trial, which is the strongest negotiating position.

    06

    Sentencing

    If the case resolves with a plea or a guilty verdict, sentencing follows. Scott advocates for the most favorable outcome the facts allow: probation over jail, treatment programs over incarceration, and minimal long-term impact on your record and your life.

    A real conversation, and an honest assessment.

    Some lawyers will say whatever it takes to get you in the door. Scott will not. When you sit down with him, he tells you the truth about your case: what is possible, what is likely, and what it will take to get there. If he is the right person to defend you, he will say so. If he is not, he will tell you that too.

    This is your future. You deserve someone who is honest with you from the very first call.

    Call Now — (586) 243-4140

    Frequently asked questions

    Cases in Clinton Township are heard in the 41B District Court at 22380 Starks Drive, Clinton Township, MI 48036, (586) 469-9300. The same court serves Mount Clemens and Harrison Township. Misdemeanor cases are resolved there. Felony cases begin at the 41B for arraignment and preliminary examination before binding over to the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.

    The 41B District Court bench includes Chief Judge Sebastian Lucido, Judge Jacob Femminineo Jr., and Judge Carrie Lynn Fuca. Each judge runs their courtroom differently on bond, sentencing, and case management. Scott appears in this court and is familiar with how it handles criminal cases.

    A felony charged in Clinton Township still starts at the 41B District Court, with an arraignment and a preliminary examination. If the case moves forward, it binds over to the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens, where Macomb County felony cases are decided. Scott handles your case at every stage, in both courts.

    After an OWI or DUI arrest in Clinton Township, you are typically taken to the Clinton Township Police Department or the Macomb County Jail, processed, and often released on bond. Your case is scheduled for arraignment at the 41B District Court on Starks Drive, where you are formally charged and a bond amount is set. Pre-trial conferences and motion hearings follow. Whenever possible, an attorney should be retained before the arraignment.

    Jail is possible but not guaranteed for a first-offense OWI in Clinton Township. Under Michigan law, a first-offense OWI carries a maximum of 93 days in jail, and a High BAC charge (.17 or above) carries a maximum of 180 days. The outcome depends heavily on the judge, the facts, and how your attorney approaches the case. Scott goes through every piece of evidence, from the reason for the stop to how the breath or blood test was handled.

    Yes. You do not need to know the law or have the right words. Call and tell Scott what happened, and he will walk you through what to do next, step by step. Many of these calls come from a spouse, a parent, or a close friend trying to help someone they love. On that first jail call, keep it simple, and tell them to stay quiet. The details are for their attorney, not a recorded line.

    Yes. Macomb County is Scott's home county, and he externed at the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, so he has seen these cases from both sides. He appears in the 41B District Court and the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens, and his office is in Sterling Heights, minutes away. He is familiar with the court's judges, prosecutors, and procedures.

    Your first consultation is free. If you decide to hire Scott, he uses flat-fee pricing, so you know your full fee up front with no surprise bills along the way. The exact fee depends on the charge, and Scott will go over it with you before you decide anything.

    The Right Move Is the One You Make Right Now.

    Every day that passes without the right attorney in your corner is a day the other side uses to build their case.

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    (586) 243-4140

    Law Offices of Scott E. Rabaut

    38600 Van Dyke Ave., Suite 200
    Sterling Heights, MI 48312

    Callback within 24 hours — sooner when urgency requires it.