Sparta Criminal Defense Attorney
Sparta sits in the orchard country of northwest Kent County — a working village where a driver's license is often the job itself, and where losing it costs far more than a fine. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout Sparta and Kent 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 Sparta Case Will Be Heard
Sparta-area cases are heard at the 63rd District Court at 1950 E Beltline Ave NE, which serves Kent County outside the Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and Kentwood city courts, with felonies tried at the 17th Circuit Court at 180 Ottawa Ave NW.
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 63rd District Court page for how these cases run.
The Charges I See Most in Sparta
A lot of Sparta clients drive for a living — trucking, agriculture, trades, delivery. For them the license consequence of a charge is the charge. An OWI that a first-timer elsewhere might treat as an expensive inconvenience can end a commercial career outright.
- OWI and drunk driving, with the license consequences treated as the main event
- Charges affecting a commercial driver's license, where the rules are stricter than for an ordinary license and disqualification can follow a conviction in your personal vehicle
- Drug crimes and marijuana charges, including cases arising from DOT testing
- Domestic violence and assault
- Theft and retail fraud
- Expungement of an old conviction still blocking employment
What's Actually at Stake for Your CDL
If you hold a CDL, say so at the first conversation — not later. It changes the calculus on every offer, because a plea that looks like a bargain on paper can carry a disqualification that no judge mentions at sentencing. The right target is often a different charge entirely, not a lighter sentence on the same one.
What to Do Next After a Sparta Arrest
Michigan license sanctions are largely automatic once a conviction enters, and they are administered by the Secretary of State rather than the judge. That is why the defense has to aim at the conviction itself, and why waiting until sentencing to raise your license is too late.
Sparta Criminal Defense FAQ
Where is a Sparta criminal case heard?
At the 63rd District Court, 1950 E Beltline Ave NE, for misdemeanors and felony arraignments, and at the Kent County 17th Circuit Court, 180 Ottawa Ave NW, for felony trials.
I drive for a living. Can an OWI cost me my CDL?
It can, and the rules for commercial licenses are stricter than for ordinary ones — a conviction in your personal vehicle can still carry a commercial disqualification. That makes an aggressive challenge to the stop and the testing critical, and it makes the choice of what you plead to more important than the sentence attached.
Can I keep driving while my case is pending?
Usually yes, until a conviction enters — most license sanctions attach at conviction, not at arrest. That window is exactly why the case should be fought rather than resolved quickly for convenience.
Talk to a Sparta 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.