The Criminal Defense Law Center of
West Michigan
In Michigan, assault and battery charges can arise from a wide range of allegations, including threats, attempted violence, or unwanted physical contact. An assault generally involves an attempt or threat to cause harm, while a battery occurs when that threat or attempt results in actual physical contact.
These cases may be charged as simple assault and battery, aggravated assault, or felonious assault, depending on factors such as the severity of injuries, the presence of a weapon, prior offenses, and whether the allegation involves a domestic relationship or a protected victim.
Even misdemeanor assault charges can carry serious consequences, including jail time, probation, fines, restitution, and a permanent criminal record.
If you are accused or under investigation, it is critical that you do not speak with police without an attorney, as early decisions can significantly affect the outcome of your case.
Our firm defends assault and battery cases throughout Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kent County, and West Michigan, with a focus on protecting your freedom, your record, and your future.
Early decisions shape the entire course of your case. Whether a heated argument escalated in a Wyoming parking lot or a misunderstanding led to a police response in Grand Rapids, the consequences of an Assault and Battery charge are immediate and life-altering. In 2026, West Michigan prosecutors are more aggressive than ever, often pushing for maximum penalties even for first-time offenders.
To protect your freedom, your job, and your reputation, you must hire the best West Michigan attorney around Shawn Haff right away. Operating from our elite legal command center at 2675 44th Street SW, Suite 208, Wyoming, MI 49519, we provide a “brutally honest” and powerhouse defense that starts the moment you call.
As Thomas Paine once warned, an “avidity to punish” is dangerous to the liberty of every citizen. We see this daily in the 62-A District Court and the 17th Circuit Court. Law enforcement and prosecutors often rush to judgment, treating a defensive act or a mutual struggle as a one-sided criminal assault.
Attorney Shawn Haff is a contrarian by nature with a healthy skepticism of police narratives. We don’t just accept the police report as fact. We scrutinize the “chain of evidence,” interview witnesses that the police ignored, and demand to see every second of bodycam footage. At the Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan, we are not here to make friends with the prosecution—we are here to win.
Experience in the local courtroom is the only currency that matters when your liberty is on the line. Shawn Haff is a fixture in the West Michigan legal community, bringing a sophisticated understanding of how local judges—including Chief Judge Jeffrey J. O’Hara and Judge Kirsten Holz—manage their dockets.
Knowing the specific expectations of the bench at the 63rd District Court or the 17th Circuit allows us to move with a level of professional urgency that out-of-town firms cannot match. We don’t need a GPS to find the courthouse, and we don’t need an introduction to the prosecutors. We hit the ground running from Suite 208 to secure dismissals, reductions, and not-guilty verdicts.
In 2026, the definitions of violence are being stretched by new legislation. We provide an uncompromising defense for:
Simple Assault & Battery: Challenging the “intent” behind the contact.
Aggravated Assault: Disputing the severity of the alleged injury.
Felonious Assault (Assault with a Dangerous Weapon): Scrutinizing the “weapon” classification and self-defense claims.
Domestic Violence: Managing the high-stakes “no-contact” orders that can kick you out of your own home.
We understand that an arrest for assault often happens at the worst possible time—late at night or over a weekend. That is why we are available 24/7. When you walk into Suite 208, in Wyoming, near Grand Rapids, you aren’t just getting a lawyer; you are getting a dedicated team that treats your crisis with the urgency it deserves.
Do not speak to the police. Do not try to explain your way out of it. The police are trained to turn your words into a confession. Instead, put a powerhouse in your corner. Shawn Haff will give you the “brutally honest” truth about your case and a battle plan to beat it.
If you are facing charges for assault and battery in Grand Rapids or anywhere in Kent County, you cannot afford to wait even a single hour. The police and prosecutors are already building their case against you, and you need a defense that is just as aggressive and focused. To protect your freedom, your job, and your future, you must hire the best West Michigan attorney around Shawn Haff right away. At the Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan, we provide a powerhouse defense that starts the second you call us. Don’t settle for a lawyer who just goes through the motions—get the elite representation you deserve.
Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan
Address: 2675 44th Street SW, Suite 208, Wyoming, MI 49519
Serving: Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, and all of West Michigan.
Call 616-438-6719 Now – Your Freedom is Our Priority.
A person convicted of a simple assault or of assault and battery faces the following possible penalties:
A person convicted of aggravated assault and battery faces the following possible penalties:
Michigan judges can impose a conditional sentence of only a fine and restitution, and possibly probation, for simple assault or assault and battery. If the defendant defaults on payment of the fine or violates conditions of probation, the court can then impose the jail time allowed under the statute for the crime. (Mich. Stat. Ann. §769.3.)
An assault or assault and battery offender in Michigan also can receive a deferred sentence. The court defers or postpones sentencing for a period of time during which the defendant must serve probation or complete drug treatment court. If the defendant successfully completes probation or drug court, the charges will be dismissed at the end of the deferred sentence period and the defendant will have no conviction on his record. The deferral option also is available to domestic violence offenders with no prior assault or assault and battery convictions. (Mich. Stat. Ann. §769.4a.)
Finally, judges can sentence an offender to probation instead of jail time. A person on probation must meet regularly with a probation officer and comply with conditions set by the court, such as no further arrests or convictions, attending counseling or performing community service. If a person violates a condition of probation, he can be arrested, resentenced and required to serve the maximum sentence period in jail, with no credit for the time he served on probation. Unlike the deferred sentence option described just above, the defendant who successfully completes probation will not receive a dismissal.
Someone convicted of assault or battery in Michigan will be required to pay restitution, which means reimbursing the victim for any expenses resulting from the crime, such as the cost of medical treatment or counseling. (Mich. Stat. Ann. §769.1a.)
If you are facing a charge of assault or battery in Michigan, an attorney can investigate the case and determine if you were wrongfully charged or there are other reasons why the case should be dismissed before trial. If the charges are not dismissed, an attorney may be able to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor on your behalf, or prepare a defense and represent you at trial if you believe you have been wrongly accused or if there are no reasonable plea options. Prosecutors often will negotiate and agree to let the defendant plead guilty to a different, less serious crime. Or, the prosecutor may agree to a deferred sentence or a lighter sentence, such as probation, in exchange for a plea of guilty to the charge.
A criminal conviction – whether for a misdemeanor or a felony – becomes part of your permanent criminal record. If you are convicted later of another crime, the court can consider your prior conviction and impose a harsher sentence in the new case. A convicted felon loses the right to vote, hold public office, serve as a juror (for seven years) and carry or own firearms. In certain circumstances, a felony conviction also can result in loss of a professional license. A criminal record—even a misdemeanor conviction, and particularly a conviction for a violent crime—can hurt you when you are looking for a job or applying to rent a house or apartment.
Only someone familiar with the local West Michigan criminal court system and cases like yours will know how good your chances are for a favorable outcome in court or at the negotiating table. A knowledgeable attorney will take all of this into consideration, assist you in making decisions about your case, and protect your rights.
Call The Best Assault and Battery Defense Lawyer in Grand Rapids, Michigan today at 616-438-6719. Attorney Shawn James Haff will talk to you about your case and get you the best results possible. He really knows how to get the best result possible for his clients. Do not hire another lawyer until you have talked to Shawn First! Call him now at 616-438-6719.