Coloma Criminal Defense Attorney
Coloma is a small city in northeastern Berrien County, just off I-94 and a short drive from Paw Paw Lake — fruit-belt country that swells with visitors in summer. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout Coloma and Berrien 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 Coloma Case Will Be Heard
Berrien County runs its courts as a single Berrien County Trial Court — the 2nd Circuit and 5th District Courts under one administration — with two courthouses: St. Joseph, at 811 Port St, and Niles, at 1205 N Front St. Which one hears a criminal case is set by the court's own administrative order and turns on where the offense is charged as having happened, not where you live. Coloma cases go to the St. Joseph Courthouse, 811 Port St.
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 5th District Court page for how these cases run.
The Charges I See Most in Coloma
Coloma does not run its own police department — the city is covered by the Coloma Township Police Department, with the Berrien County Sheriff and state troopers on the interstate. The I-94 exit just outside town and the summer traffic to Paw Paw Lake and the surrounding cottages shape the caseload: highway OWI and drug stops, and the alcohol, disorderly and boating cases that come with lake season.
- OWI and drunk driving on I-94 and the roads to Paw Paw Lake
- Boating under the influence
- Minor in possession at summer parties and cottages
- Drug possession from interstate stops
- Disorderly conduct and assault
- Breaking and entering and theft at seasonal properties
What Is Actually at Stake
An OWI arrest on a summer weekend can cost far more than the fine. A first conviction brings a license suspension and restriction, six points and a permanent record, and a second within seven years means revocation. High-BAC cases — 0.17 or more — carry heavier penalties and a longer license suspension. How the stop, the field tests and the breath or blood test were handled is where most of these cases are decided.
What to Do Next
Note the time of the stop, the time of the test and anything you ate or drank in between. If you refused a test, request an implied-consent hearing within 14 days or the one-year suspension takes effect automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is a Coloma case heard?
At the St. Joseph Courthouse, 811 Port St, St. Joseph. Coloma is not one of the areas the Berrien County Trial Court assigns to its Niles courthouse.
Who polices Coloma?
The Coloma Township Police Department covers the city, which does not have its own department. The Berrien County Sheriff and Michigan State Police also patrol the area, including I-94.
What is a "super drunk" charge?
It is Michigan's high-BAC OWI charge for a blood alcohol content of 0.17 or more. It carries a longer license suspension and higher penalties than an ordinary first OWI, and it can require an ignition interlock device before driving is restored. The accuracy of the test result is central, which makes the handling of the sample worth scrutinizing.
Talk to a Coloma 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.