Sparta Criminal Defense Attorney
Sparta sits in the orchard country of northwest Kent County — a hardworking village community where a criminal charge can put a job, a CDL, or a family's stability at risk. I'm 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, 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 Sparta Case Will Be Heard
Cases from the Sparta area are heard at the 63rd District Court, which serves the townships and villages of Kent County, and felonies are tried at the 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids. I am in both courts regularly.
Charges I Defend in Sparta
I handle the full range of criminal cases in and around Sparta, 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
For many of my Sparta clients, a driver's license or a clean record is their livelihood. I defend OWI, drug, domestic violence, theft, and assault charges with that reality front and center — fighting to keep you working and to keep the charge 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 is a Sparta criminal case heard?
At the 63rd District Court for misdemeanors and felony arraignments, and at the Kent County 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids for felony trials.
I drive for a living. Can an OWI cost me my CDL?
It can. An OWI can suspend your license and jeopardize a commercial driver's license and your job. That makes an aggressive defense of the stop and the testing critical — call me right away.
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. No receptionist, no voicemail, just a straight conversation about how to defend your case.