Hastings, MI, Criminal Defense Lawyer

Crime Data in Hastings and Beyond

Crime data shows an overall decrease in violent crimes in Michigan when looking at reports of aggravated assaults, murders, rapes, and robberies. Violent crimes hit a peak with 49,107 crimes reported. However, numbers went down from there, dropping by over 4,000 reports.

This trend holds true for aggravated assaults, which saw 37,626 reports in one year across Michigan. These numbers then dipped to 35,116 and 5,673 two years later. Murder cases hit their high in 2020 with a total of 761 cases, and those also dipped in 2023, with 691 murders reported that year. Robberies experienced a consistent decline from 2019 to 2023.

Hastings is home to about 7,512 people, with a crime rate of around 17.06 per 1,000 residents. The community is located between Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing, and it sits right along the Thornapple River. It’s in the 74th percentile for safety, which means it’s considered a fairly safe city overall. The top violent crime reported in Hastings and the rest of the state is assault. Specifically, aggravated assault.

Even though Hastings is considered a relatively safe area, law enforcement is still incredibly tough on crime. Because of this, it’s important that you hire a knowledgeable Barry County defense attorney who represents you against aggressive prosecutors and the evidence the police obtain. Because Barry County is a relatively safe area, that can lead to police being extra aggressive in pursuing crimes that occur there.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Hastings, MI, Criminal Defense Lawyer

When you choose to work with a Hastings criminal defense lawyer, you’re not simply choosing to seek legal advice; you’re choosing to defend yourself with help from skilled professionals who have experience navigating the nuances of the criminal justice system and advocating for the best possible results.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, your Hastings criminal defense attorney takes on any number of responsibilities. Some of the most common tasks our team at SBBL Law handle include:

• Building a powerful defense tailored to your case
• Collecting key pieces of evidence
• Conducting witness interviews, sometimes with the help of a private investigator
• Drafting and preparing court documents
• Negotiating plea deals
• Advocating for dismissal and reduction of charges
• Mitigating your sentence
• Representing clients in state and federal courts