Battle Creek, MI, Criminal Defense Lawyer

How a Battle Creek, MI, Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help You

A Battle Creek criminal defense lawyer can represent people involved in a broad range of criminal activities, ranging from small misdemeanors to serious felonies, whether in state or federal court. If you’re facing criminal charges in Battle Creek, it’s critical to seek legal representation from a Calhoun County defense attorney who has handled cases like yours.

At SBBL Law, we have experience developing criminal defense strategies for clients charged with various Michigan crimes, including:

• Drug Crimes. These types of crimes can include everything from misdemeanor drug possession to felony drug trafficking. Drug crimes can be tried in the Calhoun Circuit Court at the state level or in a federal court in the Western District of Michigan, depending on the nature and severity of the situation.
• Property Crimes. From larceny to aggravated robbery, property crimes typically make up the majority of crime reports in Battle Creek. Property crimes can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on the value of the property stolen, making it important to consult a lawyer who can challenge your charges and work to reduce any potential sentence.
• Sex Crimes. In Michigan, sex crimes are categorized under Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) of the first, second, third, or fourth degree. In addition to CSC, rape, and sexual assault, other common examples of sex crimes include child sexually abusive material (CSAM), indecent exposure, prostitution, solicitation and enticement of a minor, and more. Many of these offenses can result in sex offender registration and other long-term consequences, so having an experienced criminal defense attorney with expertise in defending against sex crimes is crucial.
• Violent Crimes. These types of crimes encompass criminal acts such as aggravated assault, murder, robbery, and more. First-degree murder is typically the most severe violent crime charge a person can get in Michigan. In 2023, there were 11 murders reported in Battle Creek alone.
• Weapons Offenses. You can be charged for buying, possessing, selling, transferring, or using a firearm in Michigan if you do not have the proper clearance. Weapons charges can be misdemeanors for simple possession charges or felonies for committing a violent crime with a firearm. Also, being a felon in possession of a firearm or having a firearm during the commission of another offense (like selling drugs) can often result in federal criminal charges.
• White Collar Crimes. White collar crimes typically include charges of embezzlement, health care fraud, tax fraud, tax evasion, insurance fraud, benefits fraud, SBA loan fraud, and other financial crimes. These types of charges can involve hefty fines, long prison sentences, and a lasting impact on your livelihood. Fortunately, our team at SBBL Law is led by former federal prosecutors, Army JAGS, and FBI agents who bring a unique depth of knowledge to how the government puts cases like this together, and how to take them apart.

A crime becomes a federal offense in Michigan if it interferes with interstate commerce or crosses state lines, takes place on federal property, involves a federal program, involves material made outside the state of Michigan, or violates a federal statute. Federal authorities may also choose to prosecute a crime at the federal level if they feel it impacts federal interests or it’s a part of a larger federal investigation.