Spring Lake Criminal Defense Attorney
Spring Lake sits just across the Grand River from Grand Haven — a village wrapped around the water, where many residents have built careers, businesses, and reputations over decades. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout Spring Lake and Ottawa 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 Spring Lake Case Will Be Heard
Spring Lake Township falls under the 58th District Court, Grand Haven at 414 Washington Ave, and any felony is tried at the Ottawa County 20th Circuit Court in the same building. Both are minutes across the bridge.
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 58th District Court page for how these cases run.
The Charges I See Most in Spring Lake
Spring Lake's charges track the water and the drawbridge traffic: OWI stops on M-104 and Savidge Street, boating and personal-watercraft cases on Spring Lake and the Grand River, and the after-hours incidents that come with a summer village whose population swells.
- OWI and repeat-offense drunk driving on M-104 and Savidge St
- Boating under the influence on Spring Lake and the Grand River — charged under MCL 324.80176 at the same 0.08 limit as a car
- Domestic violence, which in Michigan triggers an immediate no-contact order that can put you out of your own home
- Drug crimes and marijuana charges
- Theft, retail fraud, and assault
- Expungement of an old conviction that is still costing you
What's Actually at Stake in a Spring Lake Case
In a community this size, the collateral consequences often outrun the sentence. A professional license, a security clearance, a seat on a board, a coaching role, a mortgage application — these are decided by people running background checks, not by the judge. I build the defense around all of it, not just the fine.
What to Do Next After a Spring Lake Arrest
The single most damaging thing a Spring Lake client does is talk to an officer without counsel because the conversation felt informal. It is not informal, and a friendly tone is a technique. Read what your Miranda rights actually protect before you say anything.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spring Lake Criminal Cases
Which court handles Spring Lake cases?
The 58th District Court in Grand Haven at 414 Washington Ave for misdemeanors and felony arraignments, and the 20th Circuit Court at the same address for felony trials.
Can you keep a Spring Lake charge off my record?
Often, yes. Depending on the charge and your history, a first-offense deferral, a diversion program, a reduction, or an outright dismissal may be available. That strategy has to be set before your first court date, which is why the timing of your call matters.
What happens to my house if I am charged with domestic violence?
Michigan courts routinely impose a no-contact order as a bond condition, and it can bar you from your own residence before anything is proven. Violating it is treated as a separate problem and can land you in custody pending trial, so the conditions themselves need to be addressed at arraignment.
Talk to a Spring Lake 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.