St. Joseph Criminal Defense Attorney
St. Joseph is the Berrien County seat — a Lake Michigan city at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, with Silver Beach and a busy downtown that fills with visitors every summer. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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. A St. Joseph case is heard at home: at the St. Joseph Courthouse, 811 Port St, where the county's felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases from most of the county are handled. The Berrien County Sheriff's office is a few doors down on Port Street.
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 St. Joseph
The city is policed by the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety, a department of about two dozen officers, sergeants and detectives. Summer changes the caseload. Silver Beach County Park and the downtown restaurants and bars bring crowds from Chicago, Indiana and across Michigan, and with them come the OWI stops on M-63 and the business loop, disorderly and open-intoxicant tickets near the beach, and minor-in-possession charges against visiting young people.
- OWI and drunk driving on M-63 and Business Loop I-94
- Minor in possession and open intoxicant charges around Silver Beach and downtown
- Disorderly conduct and assault and battery from bar and beach incidents
- Retail fraud and theft
- Domestic violence
- Drug possession
What Is Actually at Stake
Visitors charged in St. Joseph often assume a summer ticket can be dealt with by mail. Most criminal charges cannot, and an ignored court date becomes a bench warrant that follows you home. Berrien County's trial court also runs a misdemeanor Sobriety Court for people with two or more drunk- or drugged-driving offenses, an Alcohol/Drug Recovery Court for felony cases, and a Mental Health/Wellness Court — programs that can change the outcome of a case for the right client if they are raised early.
What to Do Next
If you live out of state or across the county, call before the first court date so we can arrange what I can handle for you and what requires you in person. Do not let the date pass on the assumption that a summer ticket will sort itself out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is a St. Joseph criminal case heard?
At the St. Joseph Courthouse, 811 Port St, which is one of the two courthouses of the Berrien County Trial Court. Under the court's administrative order, criminal cases from St. Joseph are assigned to the St. Joseph courthouse rather than Niles.
I was visiting from out of state. Do I have to come back for court?
For some hearings, yes, but often not for all of them. As your attorney I can appear on your behalf at many routine proceedings. What you must not do is ignore the case: a missed date becomes a warrant, and a Michigan conviction can be reported to your home state's licensing agency.
Does Berrien County have a sobriety court?
Yes. Since October 1, 2025 the Berrien County Trial Court has run a Sobriety Court for misdemeanor defendants with two or more alcohol- or drug-related driving offenses. The court also runs an Alcohol/Drug Recovery Court for felony cases and a Mental Health/Wellness Court.
Talk to a St. Joseph 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.