About Us
Jacob P. Sartz IV graduated from Michigan State University College of Law, where he served as a Notes Editor and editorial board member for the Michigan State Law Review. He worked in the real-estate business prior to attending law school.
He is an experienced defense attorney and civil practitioner. He has represented hundreds of clients.
He was involved with the Ingham County Bar Association and served as Treasurer for the Young Lawyers Section. He held this position for several years and won re-election on multiple occasions. As part of this organization, Mr. Sartz has been involved with a series of charitable organizations and legal training seminars, such as Volunteers of America, and several others.
Services
This firm is a Michigan licensed general practice law firm that focuses on criminal law and criminal defense. However, this firm has a growing civil litigation practice in the areas of real-estate and debtor’s rights. Additional practice areas include real estate, debtor’s rights, general civil litigation, and a small, limited number of family law cases.
I have extensive trial experience. I have tried felony and misdemeanor cases. Further, I also represented people in a variety of administrative proceedings, ranging from Driver’s Assessment and Appeals Division ( “DAAD”) hearings to Section 8 Housing appeals.
Whether it’s speeding ticket, a civil lawsuit over money, or a capital felony charge, let me fight for you.
Real Estate, Commercial and Residential:
- Landlord/Tenant
- Evictions
- Anti-lockout Violations
- Security Deposit Disputes
- Money Judgments
- Representation of both Landlords and Tenants
- Section 8 Housing Benefits
- Circuit Court, District Court, Administrative Proceedings
- Land Contracts
- Contract Drafting
- Document Review
- Representation at closings
- Foreclosures
- Defense against Foreclosures
- Document Review
- Negotiations with Lenders
- Short-Sales
- Property Litigation
- Commercial and Residential clients
- Claims in Circuit Court, District Court, Administrative Proceedings (Section 8 Housing Hearings for example)
- Boundary Disputes, Easements, Quiet Title Actions, mechanic’s liens, etc.
- Real-estate Closings
- Short-Sales
- Title Reviews
- Document Reviews
- Drafting (Power of Attorney, for example)
Criminal Defense:
- All Misdemeanors,
- Felonies, Especially Possession or Manufacture/delivery drug charges, but additionally;
- Notable trial experience with Animal Abuse and Neglect Cases, People v. Jones, 30th Circuit Court, Ingham County Michigan, Fall 2008.
- Notable trial experience with Home Invasion Charges
- Traffic Offenses
- Extensive experience with alcohol related offenses such as OWI’s or “DUI” (Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated “OWI,” Operating While Impaired or “Driving While Intoxicated”) Speeding, Seat-belts, any sort of traffic ticket.
- Ordinance Violations
- Expunged Criminal Records
- Michigan Law provides a way to expunge a criminal conviction from a person’s record, if they meet certain eligibility criteria.
Debtor/Creditor Rights:
- Debt Settlement and negotiation, variety of issues, ranging from disputes over credit cards to hospital bills
- Debtor Defense in civil litigation circuit court and district courts
- Creditor and Debtor rights
- FDCPA (Federal Debt Collection Practices Act) and MCPA (Michigan Consumer Protection Act) disputes.
Driver’s License Restoration:
- DAAD (Driver’s Assessment and Appeals Division) Hearings
- Appeals to Circuit Court
- Secretary of State Branch Office Appeals
- Civil Infractions such speeding, seat-belts, any sort of traffic tickets
- Extensive review and preparation prior to any hearing; don’t fight the Secretary of State alone.
General Civil Matters:
- Contracts, review/drafting,
- Litigation, variety of forums
- Meditation
· Payment Options
Payment plans are available. Fixed fees are always available for all misdemeanor and felony charges in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and all courts in Western and Central Michigan. Invoices are usually mailed on a monthly basis or when work is completed, depending on the fee agreement.
All fee agreements are negotiated separately. There is no attorney-client representation until an agreement is signed in writing.
We accept credit cards as well.
Please contact our Lansing office at (517) 507-5077 for more information.