A Warren judge accused of driving with a blood-alcohol level above 0.17% will stand trial Nov. 16 in Novi's 52-1 District Court.

John Chmura, 63, a 37th District Court judge who has served on the bench for 30 years, faces Michigan's "super drunk" OWI charge, which carries up to six months in jail, the Macomb Daily reported. Judge David Law will preside over a bench trial, meaning no jury will be seated.

Chmura was arrested at about 11:30 p.m. March 25 after his Ford Fusion struck the rear of a SMART bus on Van Dyke near Hall Road in Sterling Heights. Video provided by SMART showed the car bouncing backward from the impact, its airbag deploying. Two of four bus passengers received medical care on scene and were released.

The case was reassigned to Novi's court and the St. Clair County Prosecutor's Office to avoid any appearance of impropriety. The trial had previously been set for an earlier date but was adjourned due to scheduling conflicts.

Defense attorney David Kramer said earlier this year, after a court hearing, that Chmura "is a well respected and trustworthy jurist," adding, "We are just taking this case as it comes one step at a time."

In a separate case at the same courthouse, Judge Law on Wednesday, Sept. 16, ordered DoorDash driver Ryan Turner, 41, of Wixom, to stand trial in Oakland County Circuit Court for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Lloyd Poole, 75.

Law called video footage of the assault "extremely disturbing" when he bound Turner over, according to the Detroit News.

According to Wixom police, Poole confronted Turner about speeding near Barberry Circle and Windingway Drive in the Hidden Creek subdivision on Dec. 28, 2025. Poole allegedly damaged Turner's car mirror. Turner told police he felt threatened and struck Poole with a closed fist.

Poole fell, hit his head on the roadway and was left unconscious. Turner drove away but later went to the Wixom police station and spoke with officers, the Oakland Press reported.

Poole was hospitalized and died in May 2026. After his death, the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office upgraded the charge from misdemeanor aggravated assault to involuntary manslaughter.

Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Zachary Houchin handled the preliminary examination. Defense attorney Nichole Smithson represented Turner at the hearing.

Turner is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 29 before Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews. He remains in custody at the Oakland County Jail on $750,000 bond.