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 huge share of the county's criminal cases run right through town. I'm 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, the smartest move you can make is to talk to a defense lawyer before you talk to anyone else. The call is free, and I'm available 24/7 at 616-438-6719.
Where Your Grand Haven Case Will Be Heard
Grand Haven is unusual: both of the courts that could hear your case are right here. Misdemeanors and felony first steps go to the 58th District Court, Grand Haven division, and every felony in Ottawa County is tried at the 20th Circuit Court in the Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven. I am in these courtrooms regularly and know the local prosecutors, judges, and staff who will decide how your case moves.
Charges I Defend in Grand Haven
I handle the full range of criminal cases in and around Grand Haven, including:
- OWI / drunk driving and repeat-offense OWI
- Domestic violence and assault charges
- Drug crimes — possession, delivery, and manufacturing
- Marijuana charges over the legal limit or with intent to deliver
- Retail fraud, larceny, and other theft crimes
- Criminal sexual conduct and other felonies
- Weapons and firearm charges
- Probation violations and expungement to clear an old record
Why Local Experience Matters
A beach town packs on visitors every summer, and with them come OWI stops on US-31, boating-under-the-influence (BUI) arrests on the Grand River and the big lake, minor-in-possession tickets at the state park, and disorderly-conduct charges downtown. Seasonal or not, a conviction is permanent — I fight to keep it off your record.
I don't just show up and take a plea. I read the police reports, watch the bodycam and dashcam footage, test whether the stop and any search were legal, and look for the constitutional problems that can get evidence thrown out — and cases dismissed. When trial is the right answer, I'm ready to try it. When a deferral, diversion, or reduction is the better outcome, I know how to get it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 in Grand Haven. If your case is a felony, it will be bound over to the 20th Circuit Court, which also sits in Grand Haven at the Ottawa County Courthouse.
I was arrested for OWI on the beach or on the water in Grand Haven. Is that different?
Operating a boat while intoxicated (BUI) is charged under its own statute, but like a car OWI it can mean jail, fines, and a record. I defend both, and I look hard at how the stop and any breath or blood test were conducted.
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. No receptionist, no voicemail, just a straight conversation about how to defend your case.