If you are charged with a DUI offense in Taylor, Michigan, then your case will be heard in the 23rd District Court in Taylor. The two current Judges of the 23rd District Court are the Honorable William J. Sutherland and the Honorable Geno Salomone. The court is located at 23365 Goddard Rd., Taylor, Michigan 48180, which is just east of Telegraph Road. Their telephone number is (734) 374-1334.
The Taylor Police Department is not particularly aggressive in DUI enforcement, but the department still makes a number of arrests. The Michigan State Police maintain their downriver post less than a mile from the 23rd District Court, and troopers frequently patrol the major freeways and Telegraph Road, making regular DUI arrests. Although the Wayne County Sheriff also patrols in Taylor, DUI investigations are more frequently initiated in this particular city by the Taylor Police Department and Michigan State Police.
The 23rd District Court in Taylor, Michigan
There is nothing unusual or alarming about how DUI cases are processed in the 23rd District Court. First time offenders usually receive probation, while repeat offenders may face incarceration. Chemical testing may be ordered while a person is on bond, but this is usually reserved for repeat offenders. One peculiar thing to note about the 23rd District Court is an odd policy regarding motion practice. According to a Michigan Court Rule regarding pretrial conferences, a district court may order that all pretrial motions be filed and argued no later than the pretrial conference. This court rule is printed on each notice to appear in the 23rd District Court. Unfortunately, the court rule makes no sense because a "pretrial conference" is frequently the very first appearance on a DUI case. The pretrial conference may be the very first opportunity for a defense attorney to review the police report, so it may be impossible to file motions before the facts of the case are revealed to a defense lawyer.
The 23rd District Court in Taylor, Michigan, Wayne County District Court
The City of Taylor patrol cars are no longer equipped with video or audio and it is unclear as to whether there are plans to purchase up-to-date video systems, but the police station has video and audio recording equipment in the breath testing area. Video and audio materials frequently reveal mistakes made by police officers permitting challenges in DUI cases. The Michigan State Police cars are equipped with in-car video and audio in the Downriver post, and these videos have revealed mistakes in the past.
About the Judges:
The following opinions are drawn from our experiences and dealings with the judges in the 23rd District Court. It's important to understand that these are just opinions, and other lawyers might disagree. Because we routinely challenge drunk driving cases, however, our firm's experience with a particular judge might be different from lawyers who do not take cases to trial. None of the comments here should be viewed as an attempt to discredit a particular judge or reflect poorly upon the judiciary.
Hon. William J. Sutherland
Judge Sutherland has been a judge in the City of Taylor since before the existence of the 23rd District Court, approximately 40 years! Judge Sutherland can appear terse, a little harsh and sometimes scary, but he is generally an excellent judge. Between the two judges, Judge Sutherland is more likely to enforce the court's motion policy, mandating that pretrial motions be filed before going to court. As a result, the Maze Legal Group has designed a special "Judge Sutherland motion packet" designed to preserve potential issues without the benefit of knowing anything about the case. While this tends to irk Judge Sutherland, he is willing to listen to viable motions once the factual record is establshed.
Hon. Geno Salomone
Judge Salomone was elected to the bench in 2000. He has been an excellent judge, although each victory we have had before him has been a difficult, hard-earned victory. Although the Maze Legal Group almost invariably does not waive the right to a jury trial when cases go to trial, we have waived before Judge Salomone and received favorable results. Judge Salomone allows our firm to pursue motion hearings and argue the law and evidence. At sentencing, he has grown a little more conservative in recent years according to reports from other law firms, but we have not experienced any problems with Judge Salomone.
If You Are Searching for Qualified Taylor DUI Lawyers . . .
If you are currently charged with drunk driving in Taylor, Michigan, and seeking a qualified DUI lawyer to represent you, please complete our free on-line evaluation form or call our office at (888) 941-1122 or locally at (313) 792-8800.
The Maze Legal Group can provide you with the highest quality representation in your Taylor drunk driving case. Mr. Maze is one of Michigan’s leading drunk driving defense lawyers, and he limits his practice to handling only drunk driving cases and DUI-related traffic matters. He is certified in standardized field sobriety tests, he has been trained on the BAC Datamaster at National Patent Analytical Systems and owns two BAC Datamaster devices, he has received toxicology training in blood and urine testing, and he has attended hundreds of hours of specialized training in DUI defense across the county.
The Maze Legal Group has handled many Taylor DUI cases, successfully representing clients through motions and trials that have resulted in favorable rulings. If you want to know more about our experience in handling drunk driving cases or what you might expect in your case, call our office and schedule an appointment with Mr. Maze.
