Forest Hills Township sits just north of Grand Rapids, and it is served by the 63rd District Court on East Beltline Avenue. Whether the charge involves a domestic dispute, a confrontation on a neighborhood street, a traffic stop, or a search that turned up something other than what the officer expected, the case is going to be handled by the same prosecutor and the same judge. What separates a good outcome from a bad one is the work done before the first appearance.
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The 63rd District Court handles criminal matters arising in Kent County outside the cities of Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville, Wyoming and Kentwood, which includes Forest Hills Township. Misdemeanor, traffic and preliminary felony cases are docketed at 1950 E Beltline Ave NE in Grand Rapids, and felony charges are bound over to the 17th Circuit Court.
1950 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
The 63rd District Court covers Kent County outside the cities of Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville, Wyoming and Kentwood. Assault, domestic violence, weapons, drug and traffic offenses arising in Forest Hills are docketed here first. If the court finds probable cause for a felony at the preliminary examination, the case moves to the 17th Circuit Court.
180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Felony charges from Forest Hills are tried in the 17th Circuit Court of Kent County at 180 Ottawa Ave NW in Grand Rapids. That court, not the district court, is where the potential prison exposure becomes real, and it is where trial experience pays off.
Domestic violence and assault cases carry consequences beyond the courtroom. A conviction can affect custody, housing, employment and licensing, and the judge can impose conditions long before the case is resolved. When that is on the table, the strategy has to account for the life outside the courtroom, not just the docket inside it.
The charges I defend most often for Forest Hills clients are assault and battery, domestic violence, weapons charges, drunk driving, and drug possession. They arrive in very different forms, but the question at the first appearance is always the same: what does the prosecutor actually have to prove, and what is the best available resolution.
Record the court, date and time from your paperwork. Forest Hills matters are set at the 63rd District Court in Grand Rapids.
Do not contact the other person involved in a domestic or assault case. Any communication can be used against you, and it can trigger additional charges.
Speak with a criminal defense attorney before your first appearance so the conditions of bond are understood before you sign them.
Gather what documents and people still have: photos, texts, witness names, and any record of a prior diversion or treatment program.
The question to ask any criminal defense attorney in Forest Hills is simple: how many cases have you actually tried in front of a jury. I have tried more than 80 criminal cases and have practiced in Kent, Allegan and Ottawa counties for over 20 years. I will not recommend a trial I do not believe in, and I will not pretend a case is winnable when it is not. You get that assessment at the first consultation, along with the fee structure in writing, and the consultation itself is free.
Ryan Maesen has defended accused people in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan since 2007.
More than 80 criminal cases taken to trial, where the verdict is decided by a judge and jury, not a plea.
Rated 4.7 out of 5 across 84 Google reviews by clients and their families.
Forest Hills is minutes north of the office at 3265 Walker Ave NW in Grand Rapids, and the 63rd District Court on East Beltline Avenue is a straightforward drive. That matters when you have a court date and a work schedule to protect at the same time. I take consultations during the day and new criminal matters outside regular business hours.
Assault and battery under Michigan law is generally a misdemeanor. Aggravated assault is a felony, and it applies when the assault is committed with intent to commit murder or another serious felony, or when a dangerous weapon is used. The charge filed depends on the facts the officer observed and the statement given to police, which is precisely why the details of what was said at the scene matter so much and why you should not discuss the incident before talking to an attorney.
It can, and it is one of the reasons these cases deserve attention early. A domestic violence conviction can restrict employment, housing, and contact with children, and it can be used in a custody or divorce proceeding. The charge itself, before any conviction, can still affect how a court treats pending cases. If any part of that applies to your situation, tell your attorney at the first consultation so the strategy can account for it.
A first drunk driving offense in Michigan is a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, and it adds six points to your driving record with a license suspension. For a first offense the court has the authority to order a restricted license that permits driving to and from work during part of the suspension. Those are the worst-case statutory numbers. The charge filed and the outcome usually depend on the facts, which is why the details of the stop are worth reviewing carefully.
Say nothing beyond the request for an attorney, and do not consent to anything. Michigan law gives you the right to remain silent and to counsel. If the search was conducted without a warrant and without a valid exception such as probable cause, the evidence can be challenged and suppressed. If the officers had probable cause, the evidence is likely admissible, and the fight moves to the charge itself. Either way, the review has to happen before you plead, and it is far easier to do while the case is fresh.
Carrying a concealed weapon is generally charged as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, but the charge is elevated in certain situations, including a qualifying prior conviction or carrying in a place where weapons are prohibited. The facts that decide the tier are usually in the officer's report. Whether a firearm was on your person, in a vehicle, or in a shared space, and whether you have prior convictions, all change the exposure, and each is worth reviewing before an arraignment.
Often, yes, and the answer depends on the charge, the facts, your record, and the prosecutor. Bond is set at the first appearance and is determined by the court using a standard set by law. Having an attorney argue for a lower bond with the correct information about your employment, ties to the community, and the absence of a flight risk is the single most effective step you can take at that hearing. This is where early representation pays off fastest.
If you have been charged in Forest Hills, or someone you care about has been arrested, call and tell me what happened. You will get a straight answer about the charge and what to do next.
