Don Knapp
Nonpartisan · MI · Presiding Judge, Criminal Division, Wayne County Third Circuit Court
Don Knapp is presiding judge of the Criminal Division of Michigan's Third Judicial Circuit Court in Wayne County. He was appointed to the Third Circuit bench in April 2018. Knapp previously served nine years as Livonia city attorney, advising city officials, handling prosecutions and civil litigation, and managing the law department. He also practiced commercial and civil litigation, probate and estate planning, and municipal law at Fausone Bohn LLP, served on the Livonia City Council, worked as a legislative aide, and began his legal career as a Third Circuit research attorney. He earned degrees from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University.
Track record
Public Safety and Crime Control
· 2 records
Donald Knapp sentenced Jaylin Brazier to 38 to 90 years for second-degree murder and a consecutive 5 to 10 years for tampering with evidence in the Zion Foster homicide case.
June 3, 2024For
Source: utility.waynecountymi.gov · researched July 13, 2026
The Wayne County Commission appointed Donald Knapp to a four-year term on the Wayne County Community Corrections Advisory Board.
August 17, 2023For
Source: waynecountymi.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Civil Rights
· 4 records
Donald Knapp served as a featured speaker at Detroit's Project Clean Slate celebration marking 15,000 expungements completed through the free legal-services program.
July 3, 2025For
Source: 3rdcc.org · researched July 13, 2026
Donald Knapp vacated Antonio Manzo-Diaz's criminal-sexual-conduct conviction on the basis of newly discovered evidence.
January 10, 2025For
Source: exonerationregistry.org · researched July 13, 2026
Donald Knapp vacated Ramon Ward's murder convictions and sentences, dismissed all related charges, and ordered Ward released after the parties agreed newly discovered evidence warranted relief.
February 20, 2020For
Source: voiceofdetroit.net · researched July 13, 2026
Donald Knapp ordered Siwatu-Salama Ra released on bond while her criminal appeal was pending after the Michigan Court of Appeals returned his earlier denial for a fuller danger assessment.
November 14, 2018For
Source: metrotimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Legal Competence
· 1 record
Donald Knapp began serving as presiding judge of the Wayne County Third Circuit Court Criminal Division.
January 1, 2023For
Source: legalnews.com · researched July 13, 2026
Elections
- 3rd Circuit Judge of Circuit Court - Incumbent - 6 Year Terms · November 3, 2026 · Wayne County, Michigan · incumbent
Profile last researched July 13, 2026.