When a sex crime allegation surfaces in Grand Rapids, your entire future is at stake before the first court date is even scheduled. A single accusation can upend careers, relationships, and reputations that took a lifetime to build. Our Grand Rapids sex crimes defense lawyers put the full weight of our experience, as former prosecutors and courtroom-tested defense attorneys, behind every client we represent. At Blank Law, PC, our mission is simple: protect your rights, safeguard your liberty, and restore your good name.
Attorneys Nicole Blank Becker and Christopher Coyle each served as Chiefs of the Sex Crimes Unit in 2 different Michigan prosecutors’ offices before dedicating their practice to defense work. That experience grants our sex crimes attorneys in Grand Rapids unparalleled familiarity with the charging decisions, evidentiary tactics, and trial strategies prosecutors rely on in Kent County and throughout West Michigan. We know how investigators build sex-crime cases, how prosecutors present them to juries, and, critically, where their methods are vulnerable to challenge. That inside knowledge empowers us to anticipate the government’s moves and craft defenses that undermine the theory of guilt from the outset.
Michigan categorizes most sexual offenses under the Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) statutes:
Other common charges include:
Every offense has its evidentiary requirements, statutory defenses, and collateral consequences. A lawyer who handles only occasional sex crime matters is unlikely to spot the subtle distinctions that can make or break your case. Blank Law, PC focuses almost exclusively on sex-crime representation across Michigan, with a proven record of dismissals, charge reductions, and not-guilty verdicts in Kent County Circuit Court.
Beyond imprisonment and fines, sex-crime allegations trigger a cascade of life-altering repercussions:
Because the costs are so high, our first priority is often preventing formal charges, an approach made possible by our prosecutorial backgrounds.
When clients retain us during the investigation stage, Nicole Blank Becker and Christopher Coyle leverage their relationships with Kent County detectives and assistant prosecutors to initiate a dialogue, present exculpatory evidence, and advocate for the declination of charges. Sometimes we can persuade law enforcement to drop the matter, or file lesser counts that avoid mandatory minimums and lifetime registration.
Every case commences with meticulous fact-gathering:
Because every client’s risk tolerance differs, we lay out all options. Some prefer the certainty of a plea that avoids prison or SORA status; others are determined to fight at trial. Either path requires leverage. By dismantling the prosecution’s theory through pre-trial motions and expert disclosures, we position our clients for favorable plea offers or force the state to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
At Blank Law, PC, we never outsource trial work. Nicole and Christopher personally select juries, cross-examine witnesses, and deliver closing arguments. Their courtroom reputations, honed as prosecutors in Kent County, underscore to jurors and judges alike that our defenses are grounded in fact, not theatrics.
Kent County’s criminal justice system features unique procedures:
Will I be arrested immediately after an accusation is made?
Not always. Police may conduct a search warrant first or request a voluntary interview. Contact counsel before any conversation; what you say could supply probable cause for arrest.
Should I cooperate with a forensic polygraph?
Polygraphs in Michigan are inadmissible at trial but heavily influence charging decisions. After reviewing the questions and examiner credentials, we may advise taking one under controlled conditions, or decline entirely if the risk outweighs potential benefit.
Can I clear my record if charges are dismissed?
Yes. If the case ends in dismissal or acquittal, you can file an immediate petition for expungement, erasing the arrest from public databases.
What if the alleged victim is willing to recant?
Recantation helps, but prosecutors often pursue charges regardless. We secure an affidavit, verify its authenticity, and present it alongside other exculpatory evidence to strengthen negotiations or trial defense.
Expertise alone is not enough; clients need advocates who genuinely care about their futures. We limit our caseload to ensure every client receives direct access to Nicole Blank Becker and Christopher Coyle. You will never be shuffled to an associate. From the first consultation to the final court appearance, you have a former Sex Crimes Unit Chief at your side.
Our sex crimes lawyers track record in Grand Rapids speaks for itself: dismissals in CSC Third Degree cases where DNA excluded our clients; suppression of unlawfully seized cell-phone data leading to dropped child-pornography charges; jury acquittals in “he said, she said” date-rape trials after rigorous cross-examination revealed inconsistencies.
Most importantly, we treat every client with dignity. An accusation does not define you; it is a challenge our team is uniquely equipped to overcome.
If you or a loved one faces a sex crime investigation or charge in Grand Rapids, the clock is already ticking. Evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and the prosecution’s narrative can solidify. Contact Blank Law, PC today for a confidential case assessment. We will analyze the allegations, map out a strategic defense, and stand with you at every stage, because your future deserves nothing less than the relentless advocacy of Michigan’s premier sex-crimes defense team.
Blank Law, PC Aggressive Grand Rapids sex crimes defense phone: (248) 515-6583 | Available 24/7 for emergencies