Domestic Violence Attorney in Kentwood

Immediate Help When You Are Charged With Domestic Violence In Kentwood

A domestic violence accusation can change your life in a single night. You might be taken from your home, served with a no-contact order, and given a court date that you barely understand. In that moment, you need clear information and a domestic violence attorney in Kentwood who can start protecting your future, not judgment or confusion.

At Tanis Schultz, we represent people across West Michigan who are facing domestic violence charges, including cases that begin in Kentwood and move through Kent County courts. We know how quickly these situations unfold and how much is at stake for your freedom, your family, and your record.

Our firm brings more than 50 years of combined legal experience and a team-based approach to every criminal defense matter. We offer free consultations and work to provide same-day appointments when possible, so you can speak with a lawyer before you take another step in your case.

The stakes in a domestic violence case are too high to go it alone. Ensure you have a seasoned advocate from Tanis Schultz in your corner. Call (616) 227-3737 or reach out online today to schedule your consultation with our domestic violence lawyer in Kentwood.

Understanding Michigan Domestic Violence Laws

In Michigan, domestic violence is primarily governed by MCL 750.81 and 750.81a. These laws apply to "domestic" relationships, which include spouses or former spouses, individuals who have a child in common, residents or former residents of the same household, or individuals in a current or former dating relationship.

As your domestic violence attorney in Kentwood, we help you navigate the various classifications of these charges:

• Domestic Assault (Misdemeanor): A first offense carries up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.
• Aggravated Domestic Assault: This occurs when the assault causes "serious or aggravated injury" without a weapon. A first offense can result in up to one year in jail, but subsequent offenses can be elevated to felonies.
• Felony Domestic Assault (Third Offense): If you have two or more prior domestic violence convictions, a third charge is automatically a felony, carrying up to 5 years in prison.
• Assault by Strangulation: Under MCL 750.84, any domestic assault involving "strangulation or suffocation" is a 10-year felony, reflecting Michigan's 2025 legislative focus on increasing penalties for high-risk behavior.

The Impact of a No-Contact Order

One of the most immediate and disruptive consequences of a domestic violence arrest in Kentwood is the No-Contact Order. Typically issued as a condition of bond at your arraignment, this order prohibits you from having any contact—direct or indirect—with the alleged victim.

Violating a no-contact order is a separate criminal offense that can lead to your bond being revoked and immediate incarceration. We prioritize filing motions to modify these orders as soon as possible, especially in cases where the accuser wishes to reconcile or when the order is based on exaggerated claims.

What Happens After A Domestic Violence Arrest In Kent County

Understanding what comes next can ease some of the anxiety you feel after an arrest. While every case is different, domestic violence charges that start in Kentwood usually move through the Kent County court system in a similar way.

After an arrest, you are typically booked and may spend time in custody before being released or brought before a judge. The first court appearance, often called an arraignment, is usually held in a Kent County District Court for misdemeanor-level allegations. 

More serious accusations can eventually move to the Circuit Court. At arraignment, the judge informs you of the charges, sets bond, and may order conditions such as no contact with the alleged victim or staying away from a shared home.

There are several steps you can take right away to protect yourself:

• Use your right to remain silent and avoid discussing details of the incident with police or anyone else until you have legal advice.
• Follow all court orders, including no contact and residence restrictions, even if they seem unfair or inconvenient.
• Preserve evidence such as text messages, call logs, social media messages, and photos that may be relevant to what actually happened.
• Write down your memory of events while they are still fresh, including who was present and what was said.
• Contact our firm promptly so we can review your paperwork, explain the schedule ahead, and start planning how to approach your case in Kent County court.

We guide our clients through each stage, from arraignment to pretrial conferences and beyond, so they know what to expect before walking into the courtroom.

How Our Kentwood Attorneys Builds A Defense In Domestic Violence Cases

Every domestic violence case has its own history, relationships, and facts. Our first priority is to understand your side of the story and to compare it carefully with what appears in the police reports. From there, we look closely at the evidence and identify where the weaknesses and opportunities lie.

Reviewing Evidence & Identifying Issues

We typically begin by gathering and reviewing all available materials, such as incident reports, witness statements, recordings, and medical records. We look for inconsistencies between statements, gaps in the timeline, or physical evidence that does not match the accusations. We also pay attention to any history of conflict, previous calls to the home, and whether there are parallel family court issues that may influence what is being alleged.

Using A Team-Based, Strategic Approach

Our team based approach is especially useful in these cases. Multiple attorneys can analyze the same set of facts and often see different angles, such as potential self defense arguments, credibility issues, or constitutional concerns about how evidence was obtained or how a statement was taken. We use technology to organize evidence, build timelines, and prepare for hearings so that details are not lost in a stack of paper.

Challenges to the Prosecution’s Case

Domestic violence cases are unique because the "complaining witness" (the accuser) often becomes uncooperative or changes their story as time passes. However, in Michigan, the prosecutor can—and often does—proceed with the case even if the victim wants the charges dropped. This is known as evidence-based prosecution.

To counter this, we employ several sophisticated defense strategies:

• Self-Defense: We often find that our clients were the ones being attacked and only used reasonable force to protect themselves.
• Lack of Intent: We argue that any physical contact was accidental or lacked the specific intent to cause harm.
• Credibility Challenges: We investigate the accuser’s history and potential motives for making a false report, such as gaining an advantage in a divorce or custody battle.
• Constitutional Violations: We review the arrest to ensure your rights were not violated. If the police entered your home without a warrant or failed to read you your Miranda rights, we move to suppress the evidence.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION