Grand Haven Criminal Defense Attorney
Grand Haven is the Ottawa County seat — a Lake Michigan harbor town known for its musical fountain, state park, and boardwalk. It is also where Ottawa County's courts sit, so a large share of the county's criminal cases run right through town. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout Grand Haven and Ottawa 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 Grand Haven Case Will Be Heard
Grand Haven is unusual: both courts that could hear your case are in the same building. Misdemeanors and the first stages of a felony go to the 58th District Court, Grand Haven, and every Ottawa County felony is tried at the 20th Circuit Court upstairs at 414 Washington Ave.
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 58th District Court page for how these cases run.
The Charges I See Most in Grand Haven
A harbor town takes on tens of thousands of visitors between Memorial Day and the Coast Guard Festival, and enforcement scales up with them. That means OWI patrols on US-31 and Beacon Blvd, boating-under-the-influence stops on the Grand River and the big lake, minor-in-possession and open-intoxicant tickets around the boardwalk and the state park, and disorderly conduct downtown.
- OWI and drunk driving, including summer holiday-weekend patrols
- Boating under the influence. Michigan charges BUI under its own statute, MCL 324.80176, at the same 0.08 threshold as a car — the limit dropped from 0.10 in 2015. A first offense is a misdemeanor carrying up to 93 days in jail, a $100 to $500 fine, and up to 45 days of community service.
- Minor in possession, open intoxicant, and theft allegations from the beach and boardwalk
- Domestic violence and assault charges
- Drug crimes and marijuana charges over the legal limit
- Weapons charges and criminal sexual conduct
What's Actually at Stake in a Grand Haven Case
A BUI is not a boating ticket. It is a criminal charge that goes on the same record an employer or a licensing board will pull, and marine stops raise questions a roadside stop does not: what gave the officer reasonable suspicion on open water, whether field sobriety testing designed for pavement means anything on a rocking deck, and how a sample taken back on shore was handled.
What to Do Next After a Grand Haven Arrest
If you were arrested here while visiting, you do not necessarily have to drive back across the state for every hearing — I can appear on your behalf for many of them, and I will tell you plainly which dates require you in person.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Haven Criminal Cases
Where will my criminal case be heard if I am arrested in Grand Haven?
Misdemeanors and the early stages of a felony are handled at the 58th District Court, Grand Haven, at 414 Washington Ave. If your case is a felony, it is bound over to the 20th Circuit Court at the same address.
Is boating under the influence really a crime in Michigan?
Yes. BUI is charged under MCL 324.80176 at a 0.08 blood alcohol level, the same threshold as driving. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine of $100 to $500, and up to 45 days of community service, and it can suspend your right to operate a motorboat.
I was arrested in Grand Haven while on vacation. Do I have to come back for court?
You will have court dates in Ottawa County, but as your attorney I can appear for you at many hearings so you are not driving back and forth all summer. I will tell you exactly which dates require you personally.
Talk to a Grand Haven 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.