2024
Last updated:
Our Recommended Top 19
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Grand Rapids Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
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Providers
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Featured Provider
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 5.0 (6)
(6)Why choose this provider?
Scozzari Graham, PLLC, is a boutique law firm defending individuals accused of misdemeanors and felonies in Grand Rapids. Its attorneys investigate the facts surrounding the criminal charges and devise trial strategies aimed at obtaining favorable outcomes for their clients, such as acquittal and avoidance of prison time. They aggressively represent their clients throughout the legal process, from arraignment and plea bargaining to trial. Founding partner Raoul Graham worked as a law clerk for the Department of Justice's criminal division before starting the firm.
- Theft & Burglary
- DWI/DUI
Why choose this provider?
Attorney Shawn Haff founded the Criminal Defense Center of Western Michigan to provide diligent advocacy and support to clients who are potentially facing large fines and prison time. Haff's firm is named as one of the top criminal defense attorneys and earned a client's choice award from Avvo. The team at the Criminal Defense Center provides a free consultation in practice areas including domestic violence, drug and alcohol offenses, federal charges, perjury, white collar crime, and more.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Shawn Haff - Principal | Active | 14 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Dodge & Dodge PC is a family-owned law firm that provides clients with a team of criminal defense attorneys in Grand Rapids who have over 50 years of combined legal experience. The firm handles a variety of criminal cases, including drug offenses, murder, assault, juvenile crimes, and p*rnography. Its attorneys help get a client's criminal charges reduced or dismissed altogether. Plus, Dodge & Dodge represent individuals and businesses who have been charged with embezzlement, fraud, forgery, computer crimes, and bribery.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Dodge - Partner | Active | 18 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Lykins Law PLC is a criminal defense law firm in Grand Rapids that represents clients who have been accused of a federal or state crime. Attorney Jerry Lykins has many years of experience handling felony cases involving homicide, kidnapping, assault, arson, burglary, and distribution of illegal drugs. The firm also helps those being investigated for white-collar crimes, such as fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and tax evasion. Lykins Law can start a court-ordered process to have a client's criminal record expunged.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Jerry Lykins - Principal | Active | 27 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 4.4 (15)
Why choose this provider?
Tromp Law Offices is a general litigation law firm that has been serving the community of Grand Rapids for over 30 years. The firm defends clients during cases involving assault and battery, drug manufacturing and trafficking, sexual assault, and weapons and parole violations. It also investigates drunk driving cases to ensure the sobriety test was administered properly. In 2017 and 2018, founding attorney Timothy Tromp received the Top Attorney in North America award.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy Tromp - Principal | Active | 36 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
John Engman & Associates PC is a general litigation law firm that has been representing the people of Grand Rapids for over 35 years. Its attorneys work with clients who have been accused of drug possession or operation of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. They also help clients obtain personal protections orders. Additionally, the firm takes cases pertaining to family law, such as child support and custody, divorce, and prenuptial agreements.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| John Engman - Principal | Active | 53 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Willey & Chamberlain LLP is a team of criminal defense attorneys near Grand Rapids. The firm represents clients involved in misdemeanors, felonies, and white-collar crimes. Its attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience litigating cases, such as domestic and sexual violence, health care fraud, drug offenses, and drunk driving. Founding attorney Larry Willey was honored in the Best Lawyers in America list for over 25 consecutive years.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Larry Willey - Founding Partner | Active | 52 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Siver & Associates, PLLC, is a law firm serving clients in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. It offers legal representation for criminal law matters like assault and battery, drug and sex crimes, DUI, and theft and property crimes. The firm also handles cases of domestic violence, retail fraud, probation violations, and weapons crimes. Siver & Associates has been in practice since 1982. In addition to criminal defense, the office provides legal services in the areas of family law, debt collection and defense, and real estate.
- Landlord/Tenant Matters
- Debt Collection and Defense
- Criminal Defense
Why choose this provider?
Avanti Law performs legal representation for clients in the Grand Rapids metro. Its team of trial lawyers pursues relief for criminal defendants and handles matters concerning misdemeanors and felonies. Avanti Law deals with cases, such as sex crimes, including prostitution and rape, as well as child molestation or p*rnography. It also handles cases involving juveniles, such as underage drinking, vandalism, and theft. The firm's founding partner, Raquel Salas, has been recognized as Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Women In The Law.
- Theft & Burglary
- Juvenile Crimes
- Drug Crimes
Why choose this provider?
Barone Defense Firm is a law firm in Grand Rapids that represents people who have been handed criminal charges for their alleged involvement in felony and misdemeanor cases. It mostly handles driving under the influence charges, protecting clients by claiming police didn't follow proper procedures, identifying defects in documents to support clients' charges, and challenging the validity of blood alcohol and drug tests. The firm also defends clients with bribing a financial institution, failure to appear, and federal conspiracy charges.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Boyle - Partner | Active | 21 yrs |
| Ryan Ramsayer - Senior Associate | Active | 15 yrs |
| Keith Corbett - Senior Trial Attorney | Active | 50 yrs |
| Patrick Barone - Founding Partner/ CEO | Active | 33 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
The Law Office of Joshua J. Mikrut is a criminal defense practice serving the Grand Rapids area. It sticks up for the constitutional rights of clients who are facing felony or misdemeanor charges, including drunk driving, OWI, and domestic violence. The firm often represents individuals who have illegally reentered the United States after being deported with the aim of preventing further deportation. Mikrut, a criminal lawyer near Grand Rapids, also helps clients with driver's license issues.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Mikrut - Owner | Active | 13 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Mark Caldwell Attorney at Law is a private criminal defense firm that serves the residents of Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. It provides legal representation for a wide range of felonies and misdemeanors, from the possession or use of marijuana to assault and battery. The firm also assists with the expungement and deferment of criminal charges, as well as probation violations. Principal attorney Mark M. Caldwell has been practicing law for more than a decade.
- Expungement
- DWI/DUI
Why choose this provider?
Grand Law represents residents who have been charged with a crime in the Grand Rapids area and the surrounding locations. It provides legal representation and counsel to individuals with tax fraud, money laundering, and embezzlement cases. The practice also caters to clients facing DUI, sex, and environmental crimes. In addition, its team deals with probate, intellectual property, and business and commercial disputes. Principal attorney Jeffrey Crampton has been practicing law for more than three decades.
- DWI/DUI
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 5.0 (3)
Why choose this provider?
Legal K.O. advocates for the rights of individuals in the Grands Rapids area. It represents and guides clients in different aspects of criminal law. The law firm litigates cases related to domestic violence, assault and battery, expungements, illegal drug possession, and DUI. It helps defendants create strategies to resolve mandatory penalties, including jail time and heavy fines. Primary partner Jeff Portko has been practicing law for over 30 years. He also handles probate, family, and bankruptcy law.
- Expungement
- Drug Crimes
- Domestic Violence
Why choose this provider?
Zamzow Fabian PLLC is a law firm that represents clients in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. It accepts a number of cases from clients facing prosecution, including property destruction, retail fraud, home invasion, disorderly conduct, drunk driving, breaking and entering, and auto theft. The firm helps individuals with DUI, DWI, and other driving-related charges by requesting administrative hearings with the state's Department of Motor Vehicles, petitioning courts for lesser charges, and potentially having clients' charges dismissed altogether.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Zamzow - Partner | Active | 11 yrs |
| Pavol Fabian - Partner | Active | 10 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
The Law Office of Roger Rathi & Associates responds to various counsel needs of the Grand Rapids community. It assists individuals charged with criminal activities in facing the justice process, from bond hearings and trials to deportation defense and appeals. Rathi and his team defend clients with charges such as DUI, domestic violence, and shoplifting. Rathi has been representing the residents of Michigan since 1999 and is a member of the ATLA. He has also been admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Expungement
- DWI/DUI
Why choose this provider?
Verspoor Waalkes PC is a law firm founded in 1983 in Grand Rapids to offer practical solutions to businesses, families, and individuals. Its criminal defense attorneys help people facing criminal charges get fair treatment from the justice system. They conduct detailed investigations and develop defense strategies to protect the accused person's future, freedom, relationship, and employment. Verspoor Waalkes also works on real estate, family, business, and merger and acquisition cases.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Lalley - Attorney/Shareholder | Active | 51 yrs |
| Nathaniel Kaleefey - Partner | Active | 16 yrs |
| Carl Vespoor - Founding Partner | Active | 56 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Van Den Heuvel Law Office is a general litigation law firm that has been serving the residents of Grand Rapids for over 25 years. The firm represents clients involved in criminal defense cases, such as drunk driving, assault and battery, and drug possession and trafficking. The attorneys also help clients who have lost their licenses reinstate them. Additionally, the office takes cases related to family, bankruptcy, and real estate law.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Howard Van den heuvel - Founder | Active | 32 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Miller, Johnson, Snell, & Cummiskey PLLC is a highly-regarded, diverse litigation practice regularly trying cases of all kinds, including complex and sophisticated cases at the trial and appellate levels, in state and federal courts in Michigan and throughout the United States. Known by the courts, judges, and other lawyers for thorough, imaginative, and professional advocacy, Miller Johnson represents major national and international corporations, local and regional businesses, and individuals in virtually all types of criminal matters, including white-collar and government investigations, antitrust, False Claims Act, healthcare fraud, tax evasion, insurance fraud, professional liability, and embezzlement recovery. Matthew L. Vicari is chair of the Criminal Law, White Collar, and Government Investigations Group.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| David Buday - Managing Member | Active | 35 yrs |
| Matthew Vicari - Member | Active | 34 yrs |
| Robert Wolford - Managing Member | Active | 23 yrs |
Compare our Top Criminal Defense Attorneys
| Name | Expertise Rating | Address | Promotions | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scozzari Graham, PLLC | 5181 Plainfield Ave. NE, Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI49525 | View More | ||
| Shawn Haff Attorney and Counselor of Law | Grand Rapids, MI49519 | View More | ||
| Dodge & Dodge, P.C. | 200 Ottawa Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More | ||
| Lykins Law PLC | 234 Division Avenue North, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More | ||
| Tromp Law Offices | 501 W State Rd, Hastings, MI49058 | View More | ||
| John Engman & Associates, P.C. | 4095 Embassy Dr SE Ste D, Grand Rapids, MI49546 | View More | ||
| Willey & Chamberlain LLP | 300 Ottawa Ave NW Ste 810, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More | ||
| Siver & Associates PLLC | 1535 44th Street, SW, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI49509 | View More | ||
| Avanti Law | 600 28th St. SW, Wyoming, MI49509 | View More | ||
| Barone Defense Firm | 61 Commerce Avenue Southwest, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More | ||
| Law Office of Joshua J. Mikrut | 1880 28th Street Southwest, Wyoming, MI49519 | View More | ||
| Mark Caldwell Attorney at Law | 161 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More | ||
| Grand Law | 940 Monroe Ave NW Suite 250, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More | ||
| Legal K.O. | 1430 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More | ||
| Zamzow Fabian PLLC | 15 Ionia Avenue Southwest, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More | ||
| Law Office of Roger Rathi & Associates | 24647 Nepavine Dr, Novi, MI48374 | View More | ||
| Verspoor Waalkes, PC | 40 Pearl Street Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More | ||
| Van Den Heuvel Law Office | 4920 Broadmoor Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI49512 | View More | ||
| Miller, Johnson, Snell & Cummiskey, P.L.C. | 45 Ottawa Ave SW Ste 1100, Grand Rapids, MI49503 | View More |
FAQs
What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Grand Rapids, Michigan?
The Grand Rapids Police Department can be reached at (616) 456-3400.
Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Grand Rapids, Michigan?
To obtain police records from the Grand Rapids Police Department, visit this link and then choose the Main Office at Grand Rapids option to schedule your appointment: https://www.accesskent.com/Sheriff/records.htm. You can also call them at (616) 632-6200 for more information.
Who is qualified to have an expungement in Grand Rapids?
Anyone in Grand Rapids who has one conviction on their criminal record that is five years old and who has not been convicted a second time may be eligible to have their conviction erased. This does not include convictions for assaultive offenses, serious misdemeanors, offenses punishable by 10 years of imprisonment or more, human trafficking, and any crime involving minors, vulnerable adults, or the serious impairment and death of a person.
What are the consequences of getting caught driving drunk in Grand Rapids?
A first-time DUI offender in Grand Rapids may be looking at a license suspension for six months, a jail sentence of up to 93 days, six points being put on their license, and paying a fine of up to $500. If this is a second offense within seven years, the DUI charge will get them longer jail time and license suspension, and higher fines. Getting caught a third time will result in a felony drunk driving conviction.
Can you still get charged with DUI in Grand Rapids even if you were just passing through the area and the state of Michigan?
Yes, you can. It doesn't matter where you are from, you must abide by the laws of the state you are in. Out-of-state traffic violation charges can get your home driver's license suspended or revoked. It may even warrant you facing additional penalties because of information sharing between US states with regard to drunk driving arrests.
Is there hope for first-time and repentant criminal offenders for their conviction to not show permanently on their records in Grand Rapids?
Yes, there is. Michigan legislators passed a bill called the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA), which keeps certain charges from showing permanently on the state record of an offender between the ages of 17 and 26. This must be brought up with a criminal defense attorney in Grand Rapids for them to check the client's eligibility and secure consent from either the complainant or the prosecutor.
Is solicitation considered a felony in Grand Rapids?
No. A first-offense solicitation in Grand Rapids, on its own, is only considered a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of $500 and up to 93 days in jail. It only becomes a felony crime if it involves more than two people and has an additional element to it, such as pimping and pandering, forcing minors into prostitution, or operating a brothel.
What does a criminal defense lawyer do?
Criminal defense attorneys provide help to those facing misdemeanor or felony criminal charges. The attorney will research the circ*mstances surrounding the charge and investigate the case on behalf of the client. This may involve talking to police, interviewing witnesses, determining a plea, and assessing possible sentences. With this information, the defense attorney can negotiate plea deals or navigate a court case on behalf of the client. In some cases, the attorney may get a case dismissed entirely, a reduction in bail or jail time, or probation or community service instead of prison.
How do I know if I need a criminal attorney?
Any criminal charge that could result in a prison sentence requires the help of a criminal defense lawyer. This applies to both misdemeanor and felony charges, including:
Misdemeanors
- Petty theft
- Public intoxication
- Simple assault
- Disorderly conduct
- Vandalism
- Reckless driving
Felonies
- Murder
- Rape
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated assault
- Specific types of fraud
- Possession of certain types of drugs
What steps should I take after being charged with a crime?
The first thing to do after being charged with a crime is to contact a criminal defense attorney. It is best to hire a defense attorney as soon as possible after being released from arrest, and before an arraignment takes place. The attorney will explain charges in detail, and possible consequences, to help you decide whether a plea deal or a jury trial is the best option. Most attorneys offer free consultations to discuss the circ*mstances of a criminal case and how they're able to assist. Speaking with a number of defense attorneys before hiring one can increase the likelihood of finding the right fit, and getting the best defense possible.
What if I can’t afford a criminal defense lawyer?
All Americans are afforded the right to hire an attorney to act as a defense in a legal case. However, not everyone can afford one. If an attorney isn’t in a defendant’s budget, and the defendant’s income meets designated state or local thresholds, the court system will provide a public defender. This attorney usually works on cases pro bono or without any fees paid by the defendant. Many public defenders have a high caseload, which can limit the amount of time they are able to devote to each case. In most situations, hiring a dedicated criminal defense lawyer ensures the best outcome. This is particularly true in more serious felony cases that can result in a significant prison sentence without the involvement of a skilled, experienced defense attorney.
Why hire a criminal defense attorney?
Working with a criminal defense attorney is the best way to minimize the ramifications of committing or being accused of a crime. Criminal attorneys thoroughly investigate the circ*mstances surrounding a case to prove innocence or inspire reasonable doubt in a jury. Criminal defense lawyers also are better prepared to negotiate with the prosecutors. Due to the high cost and logistics involved with taking a case to trial, many prosecutors are willing to reduce sentences in exchange for avoiding a jury trial. An experienced criminal attorney understands what would be a reasonable deal for a specific criminal charge, and will negotiate it on behalf of the defendant.
Are legal fees for criminal defense tax deductible?
Whether legal fees from a criminal case can be deducted on a tax return depends on the circ*mstances. If criminal charges pertain to activities related to a trade or business, attorney fees can be deducted on a business tax return, as they are considered an expense associated with the normal course of business. However, personal legal fees cannot be deducted.
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