Grand Haven Criminal Defense Lawyer

Type of Criminal Charges in Grand Haven

Criminal charges in Grand Haven can range from minor infractions to serious federal offenses. Some of the most common types of criminal cases Grand Haven criminal defense attorneys handle include:

• Drug Offenses: These types of crimes are common in the area and around the state of Michigan. These offenses can include possession, trafficking, manufacturing, or distribution of controlled substances. A skilled criminal defense attorney may challenge the evidence or negotiate for reduced penalties, especially if there are mitigating circumstances, such as a lack of prior criminal history or substance abuse.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): A DUI or Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) charge is a serious offense in Michigan. DUI convictions can lead to license suspension, fines, and possible jail time. If you’re facing DUI charges, a criminal defense lawyer can examine the police stop, the sobriety tests, and any errors in the procedure, which may provide a valid defense or grounds for reduced penalties.
• Assault and Battery: Charges of assault or battery are often highly contested and can involve self-defense claims or misunderstandings. Whether it’s a simple assault charge or a felony-level aggravated assault charge, the involvement of a defense lawyer is critical to challenge the accusations.
• Domestic Violence: Michigan takes domestic violence charges very seriously. If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, it’s vital to consult a defense lawyer to assess the evidence and determine whether the allegations are exaggerated or false. Defense attorneys can argue for reduced charges or help you navigate the complex family law dynamics that often surround these cases. Oftentimes, engaging in private counseling, anger management, parenting classes, or other relevant steps while charges are pending can help show the judge that the person is serious about addressing any potential underlying issues, which can help in negotiating a favorable resolution.
• Theft and Property Crimes: Theft crimes, including burglary, larceny, and shoplifting, can carry significant consequences in Michigan. For repeat offenders or crimes that involve large sums of money, penalties can be severe. Depending on the case’s facts, a criminal defense lawyer may help negotiate restitution or plea deals.
• CSC Crimes: Sex offenses in Michigan are commonly referred to as CSC crimes, for criminal sexual conduct. These types of crimes can carry severe penalties, including sometimes a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence or even life in prison. CSC offenses in Michigan also require sex offender registration and sometimes require electronic monitoring (tether) for long periods of time as part of the sentence. CSC offenses require a skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense team.
• Juvenile Offenses: The juvenile court system has a lot of similarity with adult criminal courts, but Ottawa County’s juvenile cases are handled in family court, not criminal court. They go through a much different process that is supposed to be more restorative than punitive. This is a specialty area of law, and a juvenile criminal defense attorney is invaluable to helping families navigate a confusing and overwhelming process, especially for families with no prior experience in the juvenile system.
• Federal Crimes: Federal crimes are investigated and prosecuted by federal agencies, such as the FBI or DEA, and are typically more severe than state offenses. Federal crimes can include drug trafficking, wire fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and organized crime offenses.
  Federal convictions often come with harsher penalties, including longer prison sentences. A skilled criminal defense attorney will help you follow the guidelines of these cases.