Caledonia Criminal Defense Attorney
Caledonia is a prosperous township in southeast Kent County — strong schools, fast-growing neighborhoods, and families who have invested heavily in their futures here. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout Caledonia and Kent County. If you have been arrested, or you know you are under investigation, talk to a defense lawyer before you talk to anyone else. The call is free and I am available 24/7 at 616-438-6719.
Where Your Caledonia Case Will Be Heard
Caledonia Township cases go to the 63rd District Court at 1950 E Beltline Ave NE, which serves Kent County outside the Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and Kentwood city courts. Felonies are tried at the 17th Circuit Court in the Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa Ave NW.
Knowing the building is the easy part. What matters is knowing how that particular bench handles a first offense, which prosecutor has room to negotiate, and what the local diversion options actually are — see my 63rd District Court page for how these cases run.
The Charges I See Most in Caledonia
Caledonia sits where M-6 meets the southeast side, which means a lot of its cases begin as traffic stops on the highway or on Cherry Valley and 68th Street late at night. Those stops are also where the strongest defenses live, because a stop that was not lawful can take the entire case with it.
- OWI and drunk driving stops on M-6, Cherry Valley Ave, and 68th St, including field sobriety testing challenges
- Domestic violence and assault
- Drug crimes and marijuana charges over the legal limit
- Retail fraud and theft
- Minor in possession and other charges involving high school and college-age clients
- Expungement of a prior conviction
What's at Stake in a Caledonia Criminal Case
In Caledonia the question I hear first is rarely about jail. It is about the coaching role, the teaching certificate, the nursing license, the security clearance, the college application, the concealed pistol license. Those are decided by background checks, and a plea that seems convenient in the moment can close doors for years.
What to Do Next After a Caledonia OWI Stop
Roadside field sobriety tests are voluntary in Michigan and are scored by the officer who already decided to pull you over. How they were administered — the surface, the lighting, the instructions actually given — is one of the first things I look at on a Caledonia OWI.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caledonia Cases
Where does a Caledonia criminal case go?
To the 63rd District Court at 1950 E Beltline Ave NE for misdemeanors and felony arraignments, and to the Kent County 17th Circuit Court at 180 Ottawa Ave NW for felony trials.
Can a charge be kept off my record in Caledonia?
Frequently, yes — through deferrals, diversion, reductions, or dismissals, depending on the charge and your record. The earlier I am involved, the more of those doors stay open, because some options disappear once a plea is entered.
Will an OWI affect my teaching certificate or professional license?
It can. Many Michigan licensing boards require self-reporting of a conviction, and some treat the failure to report as its own violation. If you hold a license, tell me at the consultation — it often changes which outcome we should be fighting for.
Talk to a Caledonia Defense Lawyer Today
A criminal charge moves fast, and the first days matter most. Call me directly at 616-438-6719 for a free, confidential consultation — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.