Criminal Defense and Consumer Protection in Lansing MI

When you're facing the court system in Lansing, you shouldn't have to navigate it alone. Whether you've been charged with a crime or you're up against an unfair business practice, having someone in your corner who knows how the local courts work makes all the difference. We help people across Lansing understand their options, protect their rights, and move forward with confidence.

Criminal cases that arise inside the City of Lansing generally begin in the 54-A District Court, located on the 6th floor of Lansing City Hall at 124 W. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933. The district court handles all misdemeanor charges from start to finish — arraignment, pretrial, trial, and sentencing — and it also holds the early stages of felony cases, including arraignments and preliminary examinations.

If a felony case moves past the preliminary exam, it is transferred ("bound over") to the 30th Circuit Court for Ingham County, which handles felony trials, sentencing, and civil disputes over $25,000. Knowing which court holds which part of your case helps you understand what's coming and how to prepare for it.

People end up in the Lansing courts for a wide range of reasons, and a charge is not a conviction. Common matters include:

• Operating while intoxicated (OWI/DUI), including first offenses and repeat charges
• Drug possession and delivery offenses
• Assault, domestic violence, and related charges
• Retail fraud (shoplifting) and theft
• Driving on a suspended or revoked license
• Traffic misdemeanors and serious moving violations
• Probation violations

Each of these carries real consequences — fines, a criminal record, even jail — but each also has defenses worth exploring. The goal is always to understand your specific situation and find the path that best protects your future.

Not every case that lands you in court is criminal. Michigan's Consumer Protection Act exists to shield people from unfair, misleading, and deceptive business practices — and you have the right to push back. We help Lansing residents with matters such as:

• Debt collection lawsuits and aggressive collector tactics
• Wage garnishment and challenges to it
• Deceptive sales, warranty disputes, and misrepresentation
• Unfair or unconscionable business practices
• Fraud and predatory lending

Many of these disputes are heard in the same district and circuit courts, and many people don't realize they have a defense — or a claim of their own — until they talk to someone who knows the law.

Every situation is different, and the sooner you understand your options, the better positioned you are.  Fill out the form here  or schedule your free consult here.  I will reach out to talk through what you're facing and how we can help.