Whitehall Criminal Defense Attorney
Whitehall sits at the head of White Lake in the north of Muskegon County, a resort town on US-31 whose population and policing both change character in June. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout Whitehall 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 Whitehall Case Will Be Heard
Whitehall cases go south to the 60th District Court at 990 Terrace St in Muskegon — a drive of about half an hour — with felonies tried at the 14th Circuit Court in the same building. There is no court in the White Lake area itself, so plan the trip.
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 Whitehall
White Lake and the channel out to Lake Michigan drive the summer caseload: boating under the influence, personal-watercraft incidents, minor in possession and open intoxicant at the beaches and downtown, and disorderly conduct on the busy weekends. US-31 supplies the OWI stops year round, and the difference between a July docket and a February one here is dramatic.
- Boating under the influence on White Lake and the channel — charged under MCL 324.80176 at the same 0.08 limit as a car, a misdemeanor carrying up to 93 days in jail, a $100 to $500 fine, and up to 45 days of community service on a first offense
- OWI and drunk driving on US-31, Colby St, and Whitehall Rd
- Minor in possession, open intoxicant, and disorderly conduct in the summer season
- Domestic violence and assault
- Drug crimes and marijuana charges over the legal limit
- Theft from boats, docks, cottages, and vehicles
What Is Actually at Stake
A resort-town summer docket moves at volume, and volume is what hurts defendants. Dozens of seasonal cases are called in a morning, most of them involving people who live somewhere else and want the matter finished before they drive home. That produces a lot of quick pleas to charges nobody examined — and a conviction entered in ten minutes in August is still on your record in ten years.
What to Do Next
Do not let the calendar decide your case. Ask for an adjournment rather than pleading on the first date to get the drive over with, and use the time to get the discovery that would tell you whether the charge is worth fighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is a Whitehall case heard?
At the 60th District Court, 990 Terrace St, Muskegon, for misdemeanors and felony arraignments, and at the 14th Circuit Court in the same building for felonies. There is no district court in the White Lake area itself.
Can I really be charged with drunk driving on a boat?
Yes. Michigan charges boating under the influence under MCL 324.80176 at a 0.08 blood alcohol level, the same threshold as a car. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine of $100 to $500, and up to 45 days of community service, and it can suspend your right to operate a motorboat.
I was arrested while up here for the summer. Do I need to attend every hearing?
Usually not. I can appear on your behalf at many routine dates, and I will tell you clearly which ones require you in person. The important thing is to arrange it in advance — missing a date without doing so produces a bench warrant, which is far worse than the drive would have been.
Talk to a Whitehall 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.