43rd District Court

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305 E. Nine Mile
Ferndale, Michigan 48220
(248) 547-8700
Fax - (248) 584-2599

43rd District Courthouse The District Court handles all traffic cases including formal and informal hearings, trials, and parking. The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction in all civil litigation up to $25,000, small claims, garnishment proceedings, and evictions. In the criminal area, the District Court handles all arraignments, most misdemeanor cases, the setting and acceptance of bail, bench and jury trials, sentencing, and preliminary examinations in felony cases.

The criminal division maintains records on all misdemeanor and felony offenses and is responsible for the processing, scheduling and noticing of all criminal and traffic cases in the court.

The civil division maintains records on general civil, landlord/tenant and small claims cases and is responsible for the scheduling, processing and noticing of these cases.

The probation department is responsible for the supervision, counseling and referral of defendants placed on probation. The probation department here at the 43rd District Court is a full service probation department in that it also performs all alcohol screening assessments and pre-sentence investigations.

The traffic division is responsible for maintaining records and processing all traffic civil infractions, parking violations, code enforcement proceedings, and motor carrier violations.

For more information about the 43rd District Court, click here to visit their website.

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Judge Joseph Longo

The 43rd District Court's Judge Joseph Longo has been on the bench since 1998, serving as District Judge in the Ferndale Division of the court. He currently serves as Chief Judge for the District, which covers the Oakland County communities of Ferndale, Hazel Park and Madison Heights.

In his term on the bench, Judge Longo has implemented many innovations, including the presentation of the Critical Life Choices program for district schools, initiation of the court website, and development of several community outreach programs. In addition, Judge Longo initiated one of the state’s first sobriety courts, a specialized docket designed to effectively address the problem posed by repeat drunk drivers.

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Longo enjoyed a practice of law spanning almost 20 years. Judge Longo’s experience as an attorney was diverse, incorporating contract, civil and real estate law, as well as criminal defense. In addition, Judge Longo served as Prosecutor for the cities of Oak Park and Huntington Woods for many years. This wide breadth of legal experience has served him well in his current position.

Judge Longo is active outside the courtroom in the community. He currently serves as Board Chairman of the Michigan Aids Coalition, Vice Chairman of the Board of Ferndale Youth Assistance, and as a member of the Board of Governors of the Children’s Learning Center, a program providing free tutoring to children diagnosed with dyslexia.

Judge Longo received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan at the age of eighteen. His legal education was attained at Michigan State University, where he received his juris doctor degree.

Court Administrator Linda S. Carroll

Under the supervision of the Chief Judge, Court Administrator Linda S. Carroll serves as the executive officer for the 43rd District Court. The Court Administrator is responsible for the administrative management of all non-judicial functions of the Court. This includes personnel management, fiscal management, scheduling and caseflow management, record keeping, jury utilization and other administrative areas.

The City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan 48220
(248) 546-2525
City Hall Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:30pm
Closed Fridays

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