North Muskegon Criminal Defense Attorney
North Muskegon is a small city on the peninsula between Muskegon Lake and Bear Lake — a settled, comfortable community of a few thousand people, with a school district it is proud of and very little turnover. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout North Muskegon and Muskegon 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 North Muskegon Case Will Be Heard
North Muskegon cases are heard at the 60th District Court at 990 Terrace St in Muskegon, minutes across the causeway, with felonies tried at the 14th Circuit Court in the same building.
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 60th District Court page for how these cases run.
The Charges I See Most in North Muskegon
The caseload here is small and skews first-offense: OWI stops on M-120 and the causeway, minor in possession and juvenile matters out of a community with a lot of school-age children, domestic disputes, and the occasional embezzlement or theft allegation arising from someone's work. What these cases have in common is that the client usually has a great deal more to lose than the charge suggests.
- OWI and drunk driving on M-120, Ruddiman Dr, and the causeway
- Minor in possession and juvenile charges
- Domestic violence and assault
- Embezzlement and workplace theft allegations
- Drug crimes and marijuana charges over the legal limit
- Expungement of an older conviction that is still costing you
What Is Actually at Stake
The question I am asked first in North Muskegon is almost never about jail. It is about the professional license, the teaching certificate, the coaching role, the security clearance, the concealed pistol license, the college application. Those are decided by background checks rather than by a judge, and a plea that looks convenient at the time can close those doors for years afterwards.
What to Do Next
If you hold any kind of license or certification, say so at the first conversation. Many Michigan boards require self-reporting of a conviction, and several treat a failure to report as a separate violation — which means the reporting obligation has to be part of the strategy from the start, not discovered afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which court handles North Muskegon cases?
The 60th District Court at 990 Terrace St in Muskegon for misdemeanors and felony arraignments, and the 14th Circuit Court in the same building for felony trials.
Will a conviction affect my professional license?
It very well may. Many Michigan licensing boards require you to report a conviction, and some treat the failure to report as its own violation regardless of the underlying offense. Tell me at the consultation what you hold — it frequently changes which outcome is worth fighting for, because the license consequence follows the charge you are convicted of, not the sentence you receive.
Can a first offense be kept off my record entirely?
Often, yes. Michigan has deferral and diversion routes for a range of first offenses that end in dismissal with no public conviction. Eligibility depends on the specific charge and your history, and some of those doors close once a plea is entered — which is why the first hearing matters more than people expect.
Talk to a North Muskegon 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.