The System Punishes You Long After Your Sentence Ends

You did what you were supposed to do. You served your time, paid your fines, and tried to move on. But the record followed you. The registry followed you. The suspended license followed you. And every time you try to take a step forward, something from your past pulls you back.

You may be facing charges right now and have no idea what comes next. Or maybe you have been living under the weight of a conviction for years, and you are ready to finally do something about it. Either way, you need a Michigan criminal defense attorney who has been through this process dozens of times and knows exactly how to get you through it.

Dedicated to Second Chances Dedicated to Second Chances
Dedicated to
Second Chances

Coontz Law was founded in Lansing in 2018 with one focus: helping people get past their past. We built our reputation as Michigan’s second-chance law firm by doing the work, not by collecting credentials. We have helped hundreds of people navigate the criminal legal system in Michigan and dozens more clear their records or restore their rights.

Our authority comes from the work itself. We know expungement inside and out because we have walked dozens of clients through it. We know what a strong criminal defense looks like because we have built hundreds of them. When you come to Coontz Law, you get a battle-tested team that believes you are the hero of your own story, and our job is to help you write the next chapter.

At Coontz Law, Forge is more than a word. It is the set of values that shapes every case we take and every client we serve.
Forward Motion.

We keep moving, no matter what.

Ownership.

We take responsibility for our clients’ outcomes as if they were our own.

Resolve.

We do not back down when the path gets hard.

Grace.

We treat every client with dignity, regardless of what they carry.

Elevation.

We help people rise above their past and build something worth keeping.

A Clear Path to Forge Your Future

Working with Coontz Law is straightforward.

01
Tell Us Your Whole Story
Tell Us Your Whole Story

Schedule a consultation and share everything. We listen without judgment, give you an honest read on where you stand, and tell you exactly what your options are.

02
We Build Your Strategy
We Build Your Strategy

We identify every available option for you, explain what each means for your situation, and put together a plan tailored to your life and goals.

03
Forge Your Future Together
Forge Your Future Together

We handle the process from start to finish so you can focus on what comes next. You bring the determination to move forward. We bring everything else.

How Coontz Law Helps You Break Free

Coontz Law handles two sides of the criminal legal system, and we take both seriously. For people ready to clear the slate, our second-chance work is what we are known for across Michigan. For people facing charges today, we build a defense that tells your whole story and fights for the best possible outcome.

Practice Areas
Expungement

Clearing your record so your past stops showing up in background checks, job applications, and housing decisions. You have served your time. Your record should reflect that.

Gun Rights Restoration

Losing your right to own or possess a firearm can feel like losing a piece of your identity, especially if you’ve always valued your Second Amendment freedoms.

Driver's License Restoration

A suspended or revoked driver’s license can disrupt your life in countless ways.

Sex Offender Registry Removal

Being listed on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry can feel like a lifelong sentence, even after serving your time and working to rebuild your life.

Pardons & Commutations

At Coontz Law, we believe in second chances and helping our clients unlock the opportunities they deserve.

Criminal Defense

Whether you’re dealing with family matters, business challenges, or other legal issues, we are here to protect your rights and work toward the best possible outcome.

Case Types
Sex Crimes

Facing a sex crime allegation? At Coontz Law, we focus on you, providing compassionate, nonjudgmental defense.

Murder / Manslaughter / Homicide

At Coontz Law, we provide unwavering support for those facing murder charges or homicide investigations.

DUI / OWI

Dedicated defense for those facing DUI and OWI charges, standing by the accused, the imperfect, and anyone in challenging legal situations.

Assault Crimes

Assault crimes are among the most serious allegations one can face, often leading to severe legal repercussions and lasting personal consequences.

White Collar Crimes

If you’ve been accused of a white-collar crime, you could be facing incarceration, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record.

Weapons Crimes

Weapon crimes, although they may not always involve direct violence, can result in severe legal repercussions that significantly affect your future and reputation.

Built for the People Ready
to Move Forward

Coontz Law has been fighting for people in Michigan since 2018. Attorney Dustyn Coontz, known to his clients across the state as the Second Chance Lawyer, built this firm around a single belief: people who have served their sentence deserve a real path forward, not a lifetime of limitations. We have helped hundreds of people navigate the criminal legal system and dozens more clear their records, restore their rights, and reclaim their lives.

We do not lead with fancy credentials. Our reputation comes from the results we have fought for and the clients who trusted us to get there. The right people are working your case with focused attention from day one. At Coontz Law, you are the hero of your own story. We are just here to help you prove it.

Overcome. With Coontz Law.
Built for the People Ready to Move Forward
What Our Clients Say
Your Past Doesn't Get to Write the Rest of Your Story
Start Taking Back Your Future

Every day you wait is another day the system stays in control of your future. Whether you need a Lansing criminal defense attorney to fight what is in front of you right now or you are ready to finally put the past behind you, Coontz Law can help you find the way forward.

Schedule your consultation today. We will listen to your whole story, tell you honestly what we think, and get to work to help you FORGE your future.