Kalamazoo defense firm flags five common criminal cases in 2026

By AI, Created 4:46 AM UTC, June 03, 2026, /AGP/ – A Kalamazoo criminal defense attorney says five case types are driving much of her firm’s work across southwest Michigan in 2026, from OWI and drug charges to expungements. The firm says quick legal action can shape outcomes for people facing arrests, accusations, or old convictions that now qualify for record clearing.

Why it matters: - Schlack & Associates says the most common criminal matters in southwest Michigan are affecting people with no prior arrest history, which can make the legal and personal fallout feel abrupt. - The issues span immediate criminal exposure, long-term record consequences, and collateral effects on work, school, housing, and family stability. - Michigan’s expanded expungement laws are also giving more residents a path to clear eligible records and reduce barriers to opportunity.

What happened: - Sara L. Schlack, founder and managing attorney of Schlack & Associates, PLC, identified five criminal case categories that continue to dominate the firm’s caseload in 2026. - Schlack is a former prosecutor with more than 14 years of legal experience and represents clients in courts throughout southwest Michigan. - The five most common matters are OWI charges, domestic violence allegations, drug crime cases, criminal charges involving college students, and expungements or record clearing. - The firm also launched a redesigned website, SchlackLaw.com, with information on criminal defense services, expungement eligibility, and legal resources for people facing criminal charges in Michigan.

The details: - OWI cases remain among the most frequently charged crimes in Michigan, and Schlack says every part of an arrest can be challenged, including the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, and chemical testing procedures. - Domestic violence cases can trigger fast-moving consequences, including bond restrictions, no-contact orders, and disruptions to employment and family relationships. - Drug cases handled by the firm range from possession allegations to distribution or trafficking accusations. - Search warrants, traffic stops, police procedures, and evidence handling often become central issues in drug case defenses. - College students in Southwest Michigan face charges that include OWI, drug possession, disorderly conduct, and other misdemeanor offenses. - Schlack says those cases can affect scholarships, financial aid, housing, graduate school admissions, and future employment. - Expungement demand is growing as Michigan residents seek to remove eligible criminal records and avoid conviction-related barriers in employment, housing, education, and professional licensing.

Between the lines: - The caseload reflects how everyday pressures can show up in the criminal justice system, especially when residents are under economic strain. - The emphasis on early intervention suggests that the first response after an arrest or accusation can shape defense options and longer-term outcomes. - The focus on students and expungements shows that criminal cases can have consequences well beyond the courtroom, even when the underlying charge is relatively minor.

What’s next: - Schlack says people facing an arrest or accusation should act quickly because the first days are often the most critical. - The firm is directing potential clients to its new website for information on services and record-clearing eligibility. - Continued demand for expungements suggests more residents will look for ways to move past older convictions as Michigan law allows.