Man charged with domestic violence, resisting police and repeat offender, chooses to represent self.

Elrico Brooks addresses the court, left, as his attorney Doug Stevenson and prosecutor Paul Spaniola listen.

LUDINGTON — Elrico James Brooks, 35, of 308 ½ Court St., Ludington, appeared in 51st Circuit Court today where he requested to represent himself, rather than accept court appointed legal counsel by Doug Stevenson. Brooks was arrested Dec. 5, 2014 by Ludington Police Department and charged with a misdemeanor of domestic violence and three felony counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer.

The domestic violence charge was upgraded to a felony because of Brooks’ repeat offender status. The misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to 93 days in jail. However, the repeat offender charge, making it a felony, increases the charge to a maximum of life in prison.

Each resisting offense is punishable by up to 2 years in prison. Repeat offender charges increase that to up to 15 years in prison.

Today’s hearing was to combine all four of the cases. However, Brooks continuously addressed the court on various requests that were irrelevant to the subject. He had initially been represented by John Spillan, however Spillan asked to be dismissed from the case. Stevenson told the court that Brooks has apparently been given advice by several attorneys, which has caused an issue in the case.

Brooks will be scheduled to appear in court again next month.