The Criminal Defense Law Center of
West Michigan
When you are facing criminal charges in Ionia County, Michigan, you need a skilled and aggressive defender on your side. The Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan, led by Ionia County Criminal Defense Attorney Shawn Haff, is committed to protecting your rights, your future, and your freedom. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a serious felony, Shawn has the experience, strategy, and courtroom presence needed to get results.
Good people sometimes make mistakes—and sometimes they are falsely accused. Attorney Shawn Haff understands this better than anyone. As a top-rated criminal defense lawyer in Ionia County, Shawn has built a strong reputation for winning difficult cases and guiding clients through the most stressful moments of their lives.
The Ionia County 64-A District Court handles all misdemeanor cases punishable by up to one year in jail, as well as arraignments and preliminary exams for felony charges. Serious misdemeanors and felony trials are handled at the 8th Circuit Court. Shawn’s extensive experience in both courts gives his clients a powerful advantage.
Ionia County includes the communities of Ionia, Portland, Lowell, Belding, and Lake Odessa. The Prosecutor’s Office is known for being tough, which means you need a defense lawyer who is tougher. Attorney Haff and his team know how to negotiate, where to push back, and how to attack weak evidence to secure dismissals, reductions, and favorable sentencing outcomes.
Clients consistently choose Shawn because of his:
Over 20 years of West Michigan criminal defense experience
Skilled negotiation with prosecutors
Strong track record in domestic violence, OWI/DUI, drug crimes, assault, larceny, and felony cases
Personalized defense strategies designed for each client
Aggressive courtroom advocacy when trial becomes necessary
When you are facing the Ionia County legal system, you must hire the right away. Our firm moves with a professional sense of urgency to protect your rights in the 64A District Court and the 8th Circuit Court in Ionia. Whether you have been arrested for DUI, Drunk Driving, Retail Fraud, Shoplifting, Domestic Violence, or Criminal Sexual Conduct, you need the premier defense powerhouse in West Michigan in your corner. Shawn Haff is a five-star rated advocate who knows the local tendencies of Ionia prosecutors and judges. We are dedicated to securing your release and challenging every piece of evidence the government has. Don’t leave your freedom to chance in a system that moves this fast; hire the best immediately.
If you have been charged with a crime in Ionia County, you should never appear in court without speaking to an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Attorney Shawn Haff offers free case strategy sessions to help you understand your options and protect your rights from day one.
Our firm is known for securing excellent results, including:
Q: Where will my criminal case be heard in Ionia County? A: Most criminal matters begin at the 64A District Court, located at 100 W. Main St. in Ionia. This is where misdemeanors and preliminary examinations for felonies are held. If your case is a felony and proceeds to trial, it moves to the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in the same building. Shawn Haff is an expert in these courts and has years of experience appearing before the Ionia County bench.
Q: Can I keep my license after a DUI arrest in Belding or Portland? A: A DUI or Drunk Driving arrest is an emergency for your ability to work and drive. In Ionia County, you face strict penalties, but a charge is not a conviction. As the Best Ionia County Criminal Defense Lawyer, Shawn Haff scrutinizes the legality of your traffic stop and the accuracy of the DataMaster breath test. We also determine if you qualify for the 64A District Sobriety Court, which can provide a path to a restricted license for eligible participants.
Q: What is the “Regional Mental Health Court” in Ionia? A: The Mid-Michigan Regional Mental Health Court serves Ionia County and is designed to help defendants whose criminal behavior is linked to mental health challenges. This program prioritizes treatment over incarceration. You need the best West Michigan attorney around Shawn Haff to advocate for your entry into this program, which can often result in reduced charges or dismissed cases upon successful completion.
Q: How does Ionia County handle Retail Fraud or Shoplifting? A: Theft charges at local retailers are taken very seriously in Ionia. Retail Fraud is a “crime of dishonesty” that can follow you forever. Shawn Haff, the best criminal defense attorney in Ionia County, works with the prosecutor’s office to explore diversion programs or delayed sentences that prevent a permanent conviction from destroying your future career opportunities.
Q: What happens if I’m charged with Domestic Violence in Ionia? A: You will likely be served with a “No-Contact” order that prevents you from going home or seeing your children. Shawn Haff acts as your professional shield, moving with urgency to modify these bond conditions and investigating the facts to expose false or exaggerated Domestic Violence allegations. We move with a professional sense of urgency to ensure your side of the story is heard.
Ionia County Courthouse
100 W. Main Street
Ionia, Michigan 48846
Hon. Raymond P. Voet, 64-A District Court Judge
Hon. Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger, Chief Judge, 8th Circuit Court
Hon. Ronald Schafer, 8th Circuit Court Judge
Shawn’s experience before these judges helps him anticipate outcomes, prepare stronger defenses, and avoid unnecessary risks.
Your freedom, reputation, and future are too important to gamble with. Whether you face a domestic violence charge, DUI/OWI, drug offense, theft charge, assault allegation, or any felony, Ionia County Criminal Defense Attorney Shawn Haff is ready to fight for you.
📞 Call 616-438-6719 today for a free case strategy session.
The call is free—will you be?
Facing criminal charges in Ionia County is stressful. You will be extremely worry about your family and your future. Your mind can be put at ease by calling Attorney Shawn James Haff right now at 616-438-6719. The Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan is respected for their tough criminal defense of those charged in crimes in Ionia County.
Our criminal defense attorneys are known to provide effective and results-oriented representation to people who are facing criminal charges in Ionia. We are experts at getting great results for people facing domestic violence charges in this county.
2025
Domestic Violence Charge dropped to disorderly conduct and no jail.
2024
DUI/OWI/DWI dropped down to impaired driving.
2023
Felony charges dropped down to misdemeanor.
If you have to get results like these, call Shawn today at 616-438-6719! Call today for a free case strategy session. The call is free! Will you be?
100 W. Main Street
Ionia, Michigan 48846
The Hon. Raymond P. Voet is the only district judge for Ionia County. He has been on the bench since 1999. Judge Voet presides over all criminal cases punishable by one year or less in the county jail. He also presides over preliminary examinations in all criminal cases.
Judge Raymond P. Voet Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Aquinas College in 1984 and received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Detroit Law School in 1987. Judge Voet took the bench in March of 1999 and was re-elected in the years 2000, 2002 and 2008.
Judge Voet is a lifelong resident of Ionia, attending Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School, and graduating from Ionia High School in 1980. Judge Voet received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Aquinas College in 1984, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law in 1987.
Judge Kreeger is the Chief Judge of the 8th Circuit. In addition to presiding over felony criminal matters, she is responsible for overseeing the administrative functions of the court. Judge Kreeger was elected in 2008 to fill the seat vacated by the Hon. Charles H. Miel. Prior to her election, Judge Kreeger was the Friend of the Court for Ionia County.
Judge Schafer was previously the head Ionia County Prosecutor. He currently serves as a judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court. He has been very reasonable and fair in my dealings with him.
After a criminal matter is bound over to his court, your attorney will receive a scheduling order indicating the possible trial dates. Normally a case will be set for trial on three to five separate dates. On each trial date, the oldest case will be tried. However, as many cases resolve without trial, it is not uncommon for a case to be tried on the first or second jury trial date.
Judge Schafer is fair when it comes to sentencing. Judge Schafer may impose a curfew as part of probation or to require that the probationer wear a SCRAM tether. Judge Schafer will give at least some jail time to anyone who tries to smuggle contraband into prison located in Ionia.
Here is a link to the Ionia County Circuit Court.
Copyright 2025 The Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan