Niles Criminal Defense Attorney
Niles is a city on the St. Joseph River in southern Berrien County, about nine miles from South Bend, Indiana — close enough that much of its traffic, and many of the people charged here, come from across the state line. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout Niles 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 Niles 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. Niles is one of the cities the court's order sends to the Niles Courthouse at 1205 N Front St, where one judge is assigned to hear the felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases from the south-county area. A small part of the city lies across the line in Cass County — if the incident happened there, it is a Cass County case, and that should be confirmed first.
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 Niles
Niles has its own police department, which shares a building on Silverbrook Avenue with the Michigan State Police Niles Post, the post that covers Berrien and Cass counties. M-51 runs straight up from the Indiana line into town and the US-12 bypass skirts the south side, so a large share of cases involve drivers heading to or from Indiana: OWI stops, cannabis bought legally in Michigan and carried the wrong way, and license problems that span two states.
- OWI and drunk driving on M-51, US-12 and US-31
- Marijuana charges — Michigan's legal limits, and what happens near the state line
- Driving on a suspended license, including out-of-state license problems
- Domestic violence and assault
- Retail fraud and theft
- Drug possession
What Is Actually at Stake
For an Indiana resident, a Michigan charge is two problems. The criminal case is here, but the license consequences can follow you home, and a plea that looks minor in Michigan can carry a different weight when your home state applies it. Before any plea, the question is not only "what will the Michigan court do?" but "what will this do to my license and record where I actually live?"
What to Do Next
Bring every document you were given, including your out-of-state license and any temporary permit. If you were arrested for OWI and refused a chemical test, you have 14 days to request a hearing to challenge the automatic suspension of your Michigan driving privileges — do not let that window close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which courthouse hears a Niles case?
The Niles Courthouse, 1205 N Front St. Under the Berrien County Trial Court's administrative order, criminal cases charged as occurring in the City of Niles are heard in Niles, where a single judge handles the felony, misdemeanor and traffic docket.
I live in Indiana. Will a Michigan OWI affect my Indiana license?
It can. Michigan reports out-of-state drivers' convictions to their home state, and your home state may apply its own sanctions. That is why the plea itself has to be negotiated with both states in mind, not just the Michigan sentence.
Part of Niles is in Cass County. Does that matter?
Yes. A small piece of the city lies in Cass County, and an incident there is prosecuted by Cass County in its own courts. The citation or complaint will name the court — bring it and I will confirm where the case actually is.
Talk to a Niles 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.