Michael S. Cheltenham - an East Lansing, 48007 (MI) Criminal Defense Lawyer

East Lansing Criminal Defense Lawyer

Updated: 02/16/2026

Areas of Practice

Criminal Defense 80%
Sex Offenses 10%
DUI/DWI 10%

Litigation: 90%

Attorney Information

Overview

Mike Cheltenham is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and holds a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School. With a rich professional background, he currently serves as Of Counsel at Cheltenham Law, PLLC, specializing in criminal defense throughout Mid-Michigan.

Leveraging Prosecution Experience for Your Defense

Mike's journey in the criminal law spans over two decades, including his tenure as Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office. This extensive prosecutorial experience is a unique asset in defending criminal cases. Here's why it benefits you:

Insider Knowledge: Having been on the other side, Mike understands the strategies and tactics prosecutors use. This insight allows him to anticipate their moves and develop robust defense strategies to counteract them.
Strong Relationships: Mike’s long-standing relationships with law enforcement and other legal professionals can facilitate smoother negotiations and more favorable outcomes for his clients.
Comprehensive Case Analysis: His experience in prosecuting complex cases, including those involving child abuse, sexual assault, and narcotics, means he can scrutinize every detail of your case to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments.
Proven Leadership: As a supervising attorney, Mike oversaw numerous cases and legal personnel, honing his ability to manage and navigate the intricacies of the legal system effectively.

Extensive Legal Expertise

During his years at the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, Mike held supervisory roles in:

Child Abuse/Sexual Assault Unit (criminal sexual conduct involving minors, computer sex crimes, and child abuse)
District Court Unit (domestic violence, drunk driving, traffic offenses, and assaults)
Circuit Court Unit (low level felony offenses to capital crimes including armed robbery and murder)
Tri-County Metro Narcotics Unit (delivery, possession, and possession with intent to deliver cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, meth, and other various controlled substances)

In these positions, he gained expertise across the spectrum of criminal law. This experience gave him a deep understanding of both the prosecutorial process and the importance of a vigorous defense to protect a defendant’s rights and vindicate the wrongly accused.

Started in Criminal Defense

Before his impressive career at the prosecutor’s office, Mike dedicated himself to criminal defense in Northern Michigan, representing indigent clients facing felony charges in Alpena, Montmorency, Alcona, and Presque Ilse counties.

Educator and Mentor

In addition to his legal practice, Mike has shared his wealth of knowledge and experience as an Adjunct Professor at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he taught trial skills for 13 years. As a professor he instructed students in the nuances of trial advocacy, public speaking, and courtroom persuasion.

Contact Us

If you are facing criminal charges and need an experienced defense attorney who can leverage insider prosecutorial knowledge for your benefit, contact Mike Cheltenham at Cheltenham Law, PLLC. Let our expertise and dedication work for you.

Education

Legal Education
- Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, Michigan, 1997
  Honors: Free Legal Aid Clinic, Inc., Board of Student Directors.
  Honors: Student Trial Advocacy Program.
Non Legal Education
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1993
  B.A., Bachelor of Arts
  Honors: Competitive Scholarship
  Major: English and History of Art

Current Employment Position(s)

```
Of Counsel
```

Past Positions

Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, 2018 - 2023
Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney’s Offic, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, 1999 - 2018
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Adjunct Professor Trial Skills, 2005 - 2018
Office of Public Advocacy, Inc, Deputy Public Advocate, 1997 - 1999

Classes and Seminars

ALPACT (Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community Trust): Officer Involved Shootings, September 2022
Michigan State University Police Department Citizens Police Academy, The Legal System and Police Use of Force, October 2022

Representative Cases

February 2025: Felony Forgery charge dismissed prior to preliminary exam.
January 2025: Felonious Assault charges not issued and subsequent Michigan State University student misconduct allegations resolved favorably for the client.
November 2024: Unarmed Robbery charge dismissed.
September 2024: Domestic Violence charges dismissed.
July 2024: Unlawful Imprisonment, Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes, Criminal Sexual Conduct 4th Degree-Victim Under 16, and Resisting & Obstructing a Police Officer dismissed at preliminary exam.
July 2024: Felony bond violation allegations dismissed.
June 2024: Misdemeanor Animal Control charges dismissed.
May 2024: Felony Interfering with Electronic Communications and Domestic Violence charges dismissed.
April 2024: Domestic Violence charges dismissed.
March 2024: Domestic Violence charges dismissed.
December 2023: Assault Murder and Unlawful Imprisonment charges dismissed at conclusion of preliminary exam. Case bound over on lesser charges.
December 2023: Domestic Violence charges dismissed.
October 2023: Assault Murder and Felony Firearm charges dismissed by prosecution prior to start of preliminary exam. Case bound over on other charges.

Bar Admissions

Michigan, 1997

Reviews

Customer Reviews for Michael S. Cheltenham

4.9 out of 5

4 Reviews

Write a Review

Learn more about our review guidelines.

4 Reviews

5

75%
4

25%
3

0%
2

0%
1

0%

Highlights

5.0 Value
5.0 Quality of Service
5.0 Professional Competence

By Scott W. on Nov. 16, 2024

Verified Client
Hired Attorney 2024

Professional, kind, and courteous. Very knowledgeable answered all questions. Went above and beyond. Most importantly 100% took care of business. I would recommend Mr. Mike Cheltenham to anyone. Thank you Mike.
By Ezra W. on Nov. 16, 2024

Verified Client
Hired Attorney 2024

I hired Mr. Michael Cheltenham. He was a delight to deal with, very understanding and non-judgmental. I felt prioritized and respected. He was very enthusiastic and passionate about handling anything and everything I needed. He maintained integrity and professionalism throughout public meetings and private conferences. He possesses great organizational and time management skills, as well as wonderful communication skills. If I had to do it over again I would pick Michael every time.

Value: 5.0 out of 5

•

Quality of Service: 5.0 out of 5

•

Professional Competence: 5.0 out of 5
By Natosha S. on Dec. 26, 2024
Consulted Attorney 2024

Wonderful initial meeting, very helpful. I had a reply to my concerns after our meeting, and it was effective enough, to move forward. Would highly recommend this Attorney...
By Melissa R. on Nov. 26, 2024
Hired Attorney 2024

Professional, courteous, and punctual. Mr. Cheltenham is a great lawyer; he is very organized and I would recommend him to family and friends.

Value: 5.0 out of 5

•

Quality of Service: 5.0 out of 5

•

Professional Competence: 5.0 out of 5

Contact

East Lansing, MI

1140 Abbot Road
#4153
East Lansing, MI 48823

Directions

Phone: (517) 896-4270

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.cheltenhamlaw.com

Virtual Appointments

Disclaimer

Your Profile? Update Now

When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.

How do I choose a lawyer?

Consider the following:

Comfort Level – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
Credentials – How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
Cost – How are the lawyer's fees structured — hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
City – Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?

Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?

Here are a few to get you started:

How long have you been in practice?
How many cases like mine have you handled?
How often do you settle cases out of court?
What are your fees and costs?
What are the next steps?

Want to check lawyer discipline?

It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:

Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.

Michael S. Cheltenham - East Lansing, MI