The criminal cases of a family accused of attacking Shelby Township police officers at their home over a year ago are on hold while state appeals judges consider an issue.

Sam and Manal Kassab appeared for a pretrial Wednesday in front of Macomb Circuit Judge Matthew Sabaugh for their assault cases. But it was adjourned while the state Court of Appeals mulls a legal matter in the case of their teen sons, Anthony and Alvin, who are also charged in Macomb Juvenile Court, which is also at the county courthouse in Mount Clemens.

An appeals panel is expected to take up the case in January and decide whether juvenile court Judge Matthew Switalski properly denied the sons’ claim police illegally seized a Cadillac Escalade that officers believed was involved in gunshots being fired at another vehicle in the township about an hour before the encountered the family on Sept. 9, 2023. Attorneys for the sons contend the vehicle was parked so close to the home it legally was part of the residence so officers needed a search warrant.

The outcome has potential implications in all of the cases, which stem from allegations Anthony Kassab fired air-soft rifle shots at a Chevy Cruze from the Escalade, occupied by four people, in the township. The two Cruz occupants believed the shots came from a gun and called 911.

Upon officers arrival at the home Clear Spring Lane off 23 Mile Road near Shelby Road, Sam and Manal Kassab were cooperative until police indicated the Escalade was being seized. A physical confrontation ensued.

Sam Kassab is charged with assaulting a police officer causing serious impairment, resisting, obstructing or assaulting a police officer causing injury and resisting, obstructing or assaulting an officer. His wife, Manal, is charged with assaulting, obstructing or resisting a police officer.

Anthony Kassab is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless driving and three counts of resisting or obstructing a police officer.

Alvin Kassab is charged with assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer causing injury; assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer; and misdemeanor assault and battery.

Judge Sabaugh scheduled a pretrial for the parents’ case for Jan. 30, expecting the appeals court may rule before then. All four defendants are free.