The Criminal Defense Law Center of
West Michigan
One of the most important things a criminal defense attorney can bring to the table when working on a criminal case is having a good relationship with the prosecutor who is handling your case. When it comes to 63rd district court, we have great relationships with the prosecutor’s who work out. We have a great relationship with the prosecutor at this court who handles Judge Kristen Holz’s cases. We have a great relationship with the prosecutor at this court who handles cases for Judge Jeffrey O’Hara and his son Judge Daniel O’Hara.
The Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan gets out to this district court all the time. Our office is near the courthouse on East Beltline and we have been on the court-appointed list at 63rd district court.
When you are facing criminal charges in the 63rd District Court, the stakes could not be higher. The prosecution is already working to build a case against you, and every moment you delay is an hour they use to secure a conviction that could ruin your life. To protect your freedom, your family, and your future, you must hire the best West Michigan attorney around, Shawn Haff, right away. Whether you are dealing with a DUI, Drunk Driving, Retail Fraud, Shoplifting, Domestic Violence, or Criminal Sexual Conduct, Shawn Haff provides the aggressive, professional defense required to dominate the Kent County legal system and shield your constitutional rights.
To see how we provide a relentless defense for our clients, visit our home page: https://www.criminaldefenselawcenterwestmichigan.com/.
The 63rd District Court, which serves all of Kent County outside the city of Grand Rapids—including areas like Cascade, Grandville, Walker, and Lowell—is known for having some of the toughest judges in West Michigan. These judges and their prosecutors are notorious for their strict adherence to the law and their willingness to impose significant jail time and heavy fines, especially for repeat offenders or high-BAC Drunk Driving cases. In this environment, a “wait and see” approach is a recipe for disaster. You need a trial-ready powerhouse who understands the specific tendencies of the 63rd District Court bench. Shawn Haff is that advocate. He acts with a total sense of urgency to challenge the state’s evidence, from faulty breathalyzer results in DUI cases to inconsistent witness testimony in Domestic Violence or Criminal Sexual Conduct allegations.
Because the judges at the 63rd District Court do not go easy on defendants, you cannot afford to walk into that courtroom with a lawyer who is just “going through the motions.” You need an attorney who is “Smart, Tough, and Relentless.” Shawn Haff has spent years dominating the Kent County legal landscape, earning a reputation as a professional who knows how to win. He meticulously analyzes police reports for Retail Fraud and Shoplifting to find the errors law enforcement made, ensuring that your record remains as clean as possible. When your liberty is on the line, Shawn Haff provides the sophisticated, professional shield you need to fight back against the power of the government.
Our Kent County Defense Services Include:
DUI and Drunk Driving: Challenging stops on the East Beltline and I-96.
Domestic Violence: Fighting to modify no-contact orders and protecting your home life.
Retail Fraud: Negotiating with local retailers and prosecutors to avoid a permanent thief label.
Criminal Sexual Conduct: A high-stakes, trial-ready defense for the most serious felony charges.
Do not gamble with your future by relying on a court-appointed lawyer who is spread too thin. You need the personalized attention and proven track record of Shawn Haff. We offer fair and affordable pricing for elite-level representation that targets the specific challenges of the 63rd District Court.
Call Shawn Haff now at 616-438-6719 for a free case strategy session. The call is free—will you be?
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Q: Can I waive my arraignment at the 63rd District Court?
A: Yes. If you hire Shawn Haff, we can often file a “Waiver of Arraignment.” This enters a not-guilty plea on your behalf and allows you to skip the first court date, saving you time and stress.
Q: Does the 63rd District Court have a Sobriety Court?
A: Yes, they participate in programs designed to help those with repeat Drunk Driving or substance issues. We move with urgency to see if you qualify for these programs to help you avoid jail.
Q: Who are the current judges at the 63rd District Court? A: As of 2026, the 63rd District Court is presided over by Chief Judge Jeffrey J. O’Hara, Judge Kirsten Holz, and Judge Daniel J. O’Hara. This court has recently expanded to handle one of the highest caseloads in the state. Each judge has specific expectations for courtroom decorum and legal arguments. Hiring the best West Michigan attorney around Shawn Haff ensures you have a lawyer who is in front of these specific judges weekly and understands how to present your case effectively to them.
Q: I was arrested in Rockford (or Ada/Cascade); why do I have to go to Grand Rapids for court? A: The 63rd District Court serves the vast majority of Kent County’s townships and suburban cities, including Rockford, East Grand Rapids, Cedar Springs, and Lowell. While the crime happened in your local neighborhood, the centralized courthouse is located at 1950 East Beltline NE in Grand Rapids. We move with a professional sense of urgency to handle these suburban cases, often waiving your first appearance so you don’t have to make the commute for a 5-minute hearing.
Q: How do I get a “No-Contact” order lifted in a Domestic Violence case? A: In the 63rd District, a No-Contact order is standard in Domestic Violence cases and can only be lifted at the judge’s discretion. Typically, the judges will not even review a request to lift the order until after the first pre-trial hearing and after the prosecutor has reviewed the request. Shawn Haff acts as your professional shield, coordinating with the court and the prosecutor to argue for bond modifications so you can return to your home and family legally.
Q: Does the 63rd District Court have a “Recovery Court” for substance abuse? A: Yes. Chief Judge Jeffrey O’Hara started the Recovery Court specifically for individuals struggling with addiction and alcoholism involved in DUI, Drunk Driving, or drug-related offenses. This is an intensive program that focuses on sobriety rather than incarceration. If you are facing a repeat offense, you must hire the best Kent County criminal defense lawyer Shawn Haff right away to see if you qualify for this program as an alternative to jail time.
Q: What is the difference between an “Informal Hearing” and a “Formal Hearing” for traffic tickets? A: An informal hearing is usually held before a magistrate without attorneys present. However, if you are facing a serious misdemeanor or want to challenge a high-point ticket with legal counsel, you must request a Formal Hearing before a District Judge. We move with a professional sense of urgency to represent you in formal hearings to protect your driving record and prevent insurance spikes.
Q: Can I face jail time for Retail Fraud in East Grand Rapids or Cascade? A: Yes. The 63rd District Court treats Retail Fraud and Shoplifting as serious “crimes of dishonesty.” While first-time offenders may be eligible for diversion, repeat offenders or those with aggravating factors face real jail time. Shawn Haff, the best criminal defense attorney in Kent County, works to secure “Delayed Sentences” or non-theft reductions to ensure your public record stays clean for future employers.
The majority of cases we see at 63rd district court are drunk driving cases, retail fraud and domestic violence.
The 63rd District Court conducts trials and is of limited jurisdiction. There are 101 judicial districts that are covered by the 63rd district court. These districts have various differences in size that cover a city, township and counties. This Court has exclusive jurisdiction over these cases:
Addition criminal offenses the district court is the court handles arraignments and preliminary examinations for felony charges. The 63rd district court issues arrest warrants and search warrants. The court will set bail and accept bond. Finally, if you want to get married you can do so at this court.
The holdings of this district court can be appealed to the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County. However, a different appeals process applies to informal hearings that deal with cases based on traffic infractions.
Anyone who is charged with a misdemeanor crime in the 63rd District Court, you can hire an attorney to waive your first court appearance which is the arraignment. After your lawyer files the waiver, the court will enter a not guilty plea and set your case up for a pretrial conference.
If you are facing criminal charges that took place in East Grand Rapids, you will be dealing with a city attorney. If you are facing criminal charges brought by Kent County you will be facing a country prosecutor. The pretrial conference is a chance for the person prosecuting your case to talk with your lawyer about the facts of the case and see if there can be a potential resolution. If the case doesn’t settle then, there will be another pretrial conference about four to five weeks later. If the is no settlement of the case by a plea agreement, the case will be set for trial. You can have a trial by judge, where the judge will determine your if you are guilty or not guilty of the charge. You also have the right to have a jury trial. Six citizens of a pool of 20 people will determine your guilt.
If you have a clean criminal record, you can expect fines and costs of $500 to $1,500 dollars. In some cases you may get a period of probation and some community service. Jail maybe an option but that depends on if you case has aggravating factors. Both judges here will allow you to have time to pay off your fines, costs and fees.
If you have been busted for operating while intoxicated, you will likely only get probation and community service. If this is your second offense, you are looking at 15 to 30 days in jail. For a felony drunk driving charge, unless your charge is reduced, you will be sentenced by a judge at the 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids.
The Kent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, currently led by Christopher Becker, represents the state or county in all criminal matters brought before the court. These cases are initiated by various local law enforcement agencies operating within the 63rd District’s jurisdiction, including:
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department
Michigan State Police
Township Police Departments (including Ada, Gaines, and Cascade)
These agencies and prosecutors act with professional urgency to secure convictions. You need a defense that matches that intensity. Shawn Haff acts as your sophisticated shield, ensuring that law enforcement followed every protocol and that your constitutional rights remain protected.
One critical procedural detail for misdemeanor charges is the ability to waive your appearance at the initial arraignment. By hiring Shawn Haff immediately, he can often file a written appearance and plea on your behalf. This allows us to enter a “not guilty” plea for you and move straight to the first pretrial conference. This not only saves you an initial trip to court but also ensures that elite legal representation is attached to your file from day one.
However, it is important to remember that the court maintains the discretion to require your presence, especially in serious misdemeanor cases where bond conditions—such as those in Domestic Violence or DUI matters—are being discussed. Having the best attorney in West Michigan by your side during these moments is the only way to ensure your bond conditions are fair and your freedom is prioritized.
The 63rd District Court is a rigorous environment. You cannot afford to rely on a court-appointed attorney who may be overwhelmed with cases. You need Shawn Haff, a “Smart, Tough, and Relentless” advocate who understands the specific rules and dockets of the Kent County system. From challenging the validity of a traffic stop in a Drunk Driving case to exposing inconsistencies in a Criminal Sexual Conduct investigation, Shawn Haff dominates the legal landscape to get you the results you deserve.
Call Shawn Haff now at 616-438-6719 for a free case strategy session. Do not wait—take the first step toward protecting your liberty today!
My client was facing a retail fraud charge at 63rd district court in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My client was going to into his arraignment and was going to enter a guilty plea! I strongly advised him not to do so! I knew that through my skills as a lawyer, I could get the criminal charges dismissed!
I showed up at the arraignment with my client and we entered a not guilty plea. After this, I entered into negotiations with the local prosecutor. We set the case up for another pretrial conference, but the case never made it that far! A few weeks later, I got a notice that the prosecutor was going to have the criminal charges dismissed!
October 4th, 2025
at 63rd district court, we had a client facing serious felony charges. He was hoping to get his life back and have a chance to avoid a long prison sentence.
The outstanding results we got our client made his day! He clapped his hands and thanked us for being his attorney! His mom and stepdad were also thrilled with the results!
Our client had to plead guilty to a simple 93-day misdemeanor for shoplifting. In exchange for his guilty plea, the prosecutor dismissed two ten year felony charges and habitual offender fourth offense notice.
January 2026
Domestic violence charge dismissed. Client was thrilled!