If you live in Kentwood and you have been charged with a crime, the outcome will be decided in a courtroom, not in your neighborhood. A Kent County prosecutor files the case against you, and the judge who hears it may sit in the 62B District Court on Walma Avenue. I represent clients in Kentwood and across Kent County, and I explain what the charge means, what the prosecutor has to prove, and what your options are before you make a decision that follows you for years.
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Kentwood has its own district court. Misdemeanor, traffic and ordinance charges arising in Kentwood are handled by the 62B District Court, which sits on Walma Avenue SE. Felony charges move to the 17th Circuit Court of Kent County in Grand Rapids. Knowing which courthouse your case lands in before your first appearance keeps the process simple.
4740 Walma Ave SE, Kentwood, MI 49512
The 62B District Court covers the City of Kentwood. Misdemeanors, preliminary felonies, drunk driving and traffic offenses from Kentwood are docketed here first. If the court finds probable cause for a felony, the case is bound over to the 17th Circuit Court.
180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Felony charges from Kentwood are heard in the 17th Circuit Court of Kent County at 180 Ottawa Ave NW in Grand Rapids. Circuit court is where a conviction can mean prison. The 62nd District Court sets the preliminary examination that decides whether the case moves forward.
Missing the date set on your Kentwood court docket is one of the fastest ways to turn a manageable charge into a warrant and a bond problem. I handle the preparation and the appearances so that does not happen to you.
Whether the call came from a traffic stop, an arrest at home, or a complaint filed by a neighbor, the charge falls into one of a few familiar categories. These are the areas I defend every day for clients from Kentwood and the rest of Kent County.
Write down the date, time and courthouse printed on the paperwork the officer gave you, then confirm it against the court docket.
Do not discuss the facts with anyone except your attorney. That includes family, friends and anything you post on social media.
Call a criminal defense attorney before your first appearance so the charge and the court calendar can be reviewed in advance.
Gather what matters: the citation, the bond paperwork, and any photos or video you already have that relates to the incident.
Ask any criminal defense attorney in Kentwood how many cases they have actually tried. Experience shows up in the small decisions: whether to file a motion, whether to take a plea, and whether the prosecutor will budge. I have taken more than 80 cases to trial and have represented clients in Kent, Allegan and Ottawa counties for over 20 years. Fees are explained in writing before you commit to anything.
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.
Kentwood sits close to the office at 3265 Walker Ave NW in Grand Rapids, which means a short drive to the 62B District Court on Walma Avenue and to the courthouse on Ottawa Avenue. I am available for consultations during the day and for new criminal matters outside regular business hours.
If you were arrested in Kentwood, your first appearance is usually at the 62B District Court at 4740 Walma Ave SE. The court writes the date and time on your arraignment paperwork. Do not skip it. A failure to appear can result in a warrant for your arrest and additional bond conditions.
Fees depend on the charge, the number of appearances, and whether the case goes to trial. I explain the fee structure in writing at the first consultation, and there is no charge for the consultation itself. Some matters are handled at a flat fee and others hourly. What matters is that you know the cost before you decide, not after.
Yes. A traffic stop can produce more than a ticket. If an officer finds contraband, a weapon, or signs of impairment, the stop can escalate into a felony arrest for possession or operating a vehicle while intoxicated. A preliminary examination in the 62nd District Court decides whether the case is bound over to the 17th Circuit Court.
It can. A felony conviction or a domestic violence conviction can disqualify you from jobs, housing and professional licensing, and it can affect custody and immigration questions. Often the charge can be dismissed or reduced before a conviction is entered, which is why the first steps after an arrest matter more than most people expect.
Michigan gives you the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. You are not required to answer questions and you are not required to consent to a search. Exercising those rights is not obstruction. An attorney can usually do more by arriving with a plan than a suspect can do by talking without one.
In Michigan, anyone arrested is brought before a judge within 48 hours for a first appearance. That hearing is not the trial. The prosecutor states the charge, the judge sets bond and sets the next date, and the court confirms whether an attorney is representing the person. If the cost of a lawyer is a problem, the court will appoint one. Bond is the main decision at this hearing. The amount comes from a court rule based on the charge and the record, though a judge can go outside the recommended range. This is also the first time the charge is formally stated. Preparing for it with an attorney rather than at the courtroom door makes a real difference, because a bond argument depends on facts about employment, family ties and prior record that take time to put together.
If you have been charged in Kentwood, or you have been arrested and your court date has not been set yet, call and tell me what happened. I will tell you what the charge means and what you should do next.
