Sterling Heights is the largest city in Macomb County, with a population of over 130,000 residents. It is also one of the most active law enforcement jurisdictions in the county. According to the Michigan State Police Annual Drunk Driving Audit, Sterling Heights recorded 299 OWI/DUI arrests in 2024, more than any other city in Macomb County, including Warren, Clinton Township, and Shelby Township combined.
OWI/DUI arrests are just the beginning. Sterling Heights police and Macomb County Sheriff's deputies actively patrol Mound Road, Van Dyke Avenue, Schoenherr Road, and Hall Road, arresting residents for domestic violence, drug possession, retail fraud, assault, and felony offenses every day.
When you are charged with a crime in Sterling Heights, your case begins at the 41A District Court, Sterling Heights division. If you are facing a felony, it will eventually move to the 16th Circuit Court in Mt. Clemens. Scott appears in both courts regularly, and his office is located right here in Sterling Heights at 38600 Van Dyke Ave., Suite 200.
Court address
40111 Dodge Park Rd. Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Jurisdiction
Handles misdemeanor charges and felony arraignments and preliminary examinations for Sterling Heights and Shelby Township
Felony cases go to
16th Circuit Court 40 N. Main St. Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
Every judge in the 41A District Court has their own approach to bond, sentencing, plea negotiations, and trial management. Scott has appeared before all three and understands how each one runs their courtroom.
Judge Annemarie M. Lepore
Known for thorough examination of evidence and close attention to procedural compliance.
Judge Stephen S. Sierawski
Experienced with a wide range of criminal matters from misdemeanors through complex felony preliminary exams.
Judge Kimberley A. Wiegand
Focuses on rehabilitation and diversion options for first-time and eligible youthful offenders.
Find your situation below. Each one links to a plain-language page on what it means in Sterling Heights and Macomb County, what is at risk, and what can be done about it.
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.
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.
Michigan's penalties are stiff, but first-offender options and other defenses can change the outcome.
A felony follows you. You need someone who treats your case with the seriousness it deserves and tells you the truth about it.
Even a misdemeanor can show up on a background check for years. It is worth defending.
If detectives have reached out, you still have options, and they are widest right now, before anything is filed.
From speeding to reckless driving, handled at every level of severity.
Your child made a mistake. That does not have to define their future.
A name these courthouses already know.
The Rabaut name has been part of criminal defense in these courthouses for decades. Scott clerked for his father, a longtime, respected Michigan criminal defense attorney, before building his own practice over the last nine years. His office is in Sterling Heights at 38600 Van Dyke Ave., Suite 200, minutes from the 41A District Court, Sterling Heights division. He appears there regularly and knows how that court runs.
He has seen the system from more than one side.
An externship with the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office. Loss-prevention work for a major national retailer. Parolee tracking with the Michigan Department of Corrections. Scott has watched how cases get built, what evidence really means, and what happens to people after a conviction. That perspective shapes how he defends you.
Criminal defense is the only thing he does.
Scott is not a general practitioner who takes a criminal case when one walks in the door. Criminal defense is the whole practice. That is where his time and his attention go.
You sit down with Scott, not a paralegal.
The person who hears your story is the person who handles your case.
Start with a free conversation.
Your first consultation costs nothing. What matters most is that you are finally talking to someone who knows exactly what comes next, what you are facing, and who will walk you through it. Not your friends, not a forum online. Real answers from someone who does this every day.
Flat-fee pricing, with no surprises.
If you hire Scott, you will know your full fee up front. No nickel-and-diming for every motion or court date along the way. You will know what is included before you decide, so there are no surprise invoices while you are already worried about everything else.
24/7 live answer.
Day or night, your call reaches a real person, not a recording. Scott personally follows up on every one.
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) 243-4140The criminal process in Sterling Heights follows a specific sequence. Understanding each stage, and having an attorney at every step, significantly affects the outcome.
Arrest and booking
You are taken to the Sterling Heights Police Department or 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.
Arraignment at the 41A 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.
Pre-trial conference
Scott meets with the Macomb County prosecutor assigned to your case. He reviews the evidence, identifies weaknesses, and begins negotiating for a reduction, diversion, or dismissal.
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.
Circuit Court (felonies) or trial / plea (misdemeanors)
Felony cases move to the 16th Circuit Court in Mt. Clemens. Misdemeanor cases resolve at the 41A 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.
Sentencing
If the case resolves with a plea or guilty verdict, sentencing follows. Scott advocates for the most favorable outcome: probation over jail, treatment programs over incarceration, and minimal long-term impact on your record and your life.
Every day that passes without the right attorney in your corner is a day the other side uses to build their case.
Free initial consultation
A live person answers every call — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(586) 243-4140Law Offices of Scott E. Rabaut
38600 Van Dyke Ave., Suite 200
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Callback within 24 hours — sooner when urgency requires it.