Geoffrey Upshaw

Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Law Office of Geoffrey Upshaw

Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Appellate

Licensed in Michigan since: 2001

Education: The Thomas M. Cooley Law School

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026

Law Office of Geoffrey Upshaw

250 Monroe Ave NW
Suite 400
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-278-8092 Email: Geoffrey Upshaw Visit website

Decades of success is not easily overlooked. I am focused on delivering results. I have been practicing law in State and Federal courts for more than 20 years and have obtained a vast amount of experience as a result of many courtroom battles. Recent victories include acquittals for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking (fed case#1:22-cr-169), retaliation against an informant causing injury (fed case#1:20-cr-009); reduced sentence sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking (state case#23-1409FC). You're innocent until proven guilty. It's not a crime to be accused of a crime - Don't Settle.

I've handled a wide array of criminal charges, including:

Firearm Offenses
Drug distribution overdose
Drug conspiracy
Bank fraud
Armed Robbery
Child sexual abuse
Felony drunk driving
Murder
Stalking
Terrorism-related charges
Uttering and publishing

I grew up in Gary, Indiana (about 28 miles southeast of Chicago). Violent crime was commonplace in my childhood neighborhood. After graduating high school I left my old neighborhood and joined the U.S. Navy where I served six years on active duty. Afterward, I attended and graduated from the University of California, at Berkeley, Berkeley, California. From there it was on to Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. My early life experiences have shaped my perspective of the criminal justice system. I have personally seen what it means to have a lawyer who (1) understands your family dynamics, (2) understands environmental barriers, and (3) will fight. I understand what it is like to be accused of a crime and to find yourself in the crosshairs of the police.

I've built a reputation for delivering results for my clients. I bring a disciplined approach and steadfast commitment to work each day.

First Admitted: 2001, Michigan

Professional Webpage: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/49504-mi-geoffrey-upshaw-7649...

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

U.S. v. Earl Austin; Significant sentence reduction below the guideline range. Mr. Austin faced several federal drug distribution and firearm charges. After a hard-fought jury trial he was convicted on most of the charges. However, at Mr. Austin’s sentencing hearing Attorney Upshaw argued for a below guideline-range sentence based on socioeconomic factors (i.e., no income, limited education, no work history nor access to community resources). Attorney Upshaw argued that negative environmental factors significantly influenced Mr. Austin’s life choices. Mr. Austin received a substantial reduction from his original sentencing guideline range of 16 to 20 years. He was ultimately sentenced to 8 years in federal prison., 2024
U.S. v. Henderson; Acquitted on 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) firearm indictment. Mr. Henderson was arrested in a home containing multiple drugs and several firearms. After a jury trial in federal court Mr. Henderson was acquitted on the firearm offense – 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). This statute, section 924(c), requires that a person serve a mandatory consecutive sentence of 5-years in federal prison. He was unfortunately found guilty on the drug charge., 2023
U.S. v. Jeremy Darnell Morton; Mr. Morton was federally indicted for retaliating against a government witness and faced up to 20 years in federal prison. His family hired Attorney Upshaw to fight the case. After a jury trial Mr. Morton was found not guilty on all counts., 2020
U.S. v. Boose; Mr. Boose was federally indicted federal firearm charges after Mr. Boose's parole officer discovered firearms in his home. Mr. Boose was on state court parole at the time and faced up to 15 years in federal prison. After a jury trial Mr. Boose was found not guilty on all federal charges., 2020
U.S. v. Covington, 738 F.3d 759 (6th Cir. 2014): Court of Appeals reduced the sentenced from 18 years to 4 years. He was sentenced by the court to 18 years in federal prison on the drug charges. Attorney Upshaw appealed Mr. Covington’s sentence to the U.S. Court of Appels arguing that the U.S. District Court improperly classified Mr. Covington’s prior felony convictions as crimes of violence. The appeals court agreed with Attorney Upshaw. Mr. Covington’s case was remanded back to the U.S. District Court for resentencing. Mr. Covington ultimately received a reduced sentence of 4 years., 2014
State of Michigan v. Nero Campbell-Wade, Not Guilty by jury verdict;, 2018
State of Michigan v. Maurice Deshawn Phason, Not Guilty by jury verdict;, 2016
State of Michigan v. Anthony Wayne Brooks, Not Guilty by jury verdict;, 2014
State of Michigan v. Tyshaun Derrell Robinson, Not Guilty by jury verdict;, 2013