Arraignment-Only Attorney

Any person that presents to the court to be arraigned on a bench warrant or a new misdemeanor of felony charge is entitled to representation by an attorney. The court has an Arraignment-Only Attorney onsite, who is available for consultation and representation for all arraignments. Please note: The Arraignment-Only Attorney will not continue their representation at future court dates; it is for arraignment purposes only.

Felony Appointed Attorney

You will fill out an appointed attorney request form at your arraignment and you should be as detailed as possible. The district court will review the request form to determine if you are indigent. If you are determined to be indigent, the district court will send the form to the Oakland County Indigent Defense Services Office (IDSO) for appointment of an attorney.

You should expect your appointed attorney to contact you prior to your next court date. This is why it is extremely important for you to include accurate contact information on your attorney request form.

Information regarding your appointed attorney can be obtained from the IDSO by emailing idso@oakgov.com. Your email will be answered during normal business hours, which are 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

If you hire an attorney, you should contact the Oakland County Indigent Defense Services Office (IDSO) at 248-452-9396 and inform them you hired an attorney.

For payment information call the Oakland County Reimbursement Division at 248-858-0506. The office hours are 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

Misdemeanor Public Defender

You will fill out a Court Appointed Attorney (CAA) request form at your arraignment and you should be as detailed as possible when filling it out. The district court judge assigned to your case will review the request form to determine if you are indigent. If you are determined to be indigent, the district court will send the form to the Indigent Defense Services Office (IDSO) clerk assigned to that court.

If you are found indigent and assigned an appointed attorney to follow your case, you should expect your attorney to contact you prior to your next court date. Please make sure you have accurate contact information listed on your CAA Request form.

If you are found to be indigent but are not assigned an appointed attorney, you will meet with the judge's scheduled Public Defender on the day of your court hearing. Please Note: you may not meet with the same attorney each time.

Information regarding your appointed attorney can be obtained from the 52-2 IDSO clerk at fernandezj@oakgov.com. Your email will be answered during normal business hours, which are 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

If you have not filled out the Court Appointed Attorney Request (CAA) Form and would like to request an attorney, please fill out and return the Request for Appointment of Attorney form to the court prior to your next court hearing.