Michigan Assault Defense Attorneys

Passionate, Effective, and Fearless Lawyers Defending Assault Charges – We will find a way to help you.

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Consistent Success Defending Assault Allegations

The Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. has successfully defended thousands of assault cases with charges ranging from simple assault (misdemeanor) to Assault with Intent to Murder (felony) and everything in between. These cases are generally prosecuted by state prosecutors, including but not limited to: Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, Washtenaw County, and Livingston County. Each county in Michigan handles these cases differently, and a great criminal defense lawyer adjusts his practice to get the client the best possible result in any jurisdiction. Most assault cases do not go to trial; however, there may be no other alternative but to have a bench or jury trial. Our Michigan assault defense attorneys are known to be aggressive, zealous, and resourceful trial lawyers. The benefit of having reputations for being “trial lawyers” is that we bring a credible threat of a trial and an acquittal. Because we are a threat to the prosecution, we can often get results for clients that other lawyers cannot obtain.

Assault Crimes Defense Attorneys

There are several assaultive charges in Michigan. A Michigan assault defense attorney can help you understand your charges and craft a credible defense. Here are a few examples to help you understand the potential assault charges and the elements of each offense:


Assault and Battery

Misdemeanor with Maximum Possible Sentence of 93 Days in Jail – The elements of assault and battery include a forceful, violent, or offensive touching of a person or something closely connected with another person. The touching must have been against the other person’s will. It does not matter whether the touching caused an injury. The defendant must have intended to either commit a battery (offensive touching) upon the person or make that person reasonably fear an immediate battery.

If the defendant has a relationship with the alleged victim, such as familial, dating, roommates, etc., the accused will face domestic violence assault charges.

Assault

Misdemeanor with Maximum Possible Sentence of 93 Days in Jail – The defendant must have attempted to commit a battery or did an act that would cause a reasonable person to fear or apprehend an immediate battery. A battery is a forceful, violent, or offensive touching of someone or something closely connected with another person. The defendant must have intended to either commit a battery or to make the person reasonably fear an immediate battery. Finally, the defendant must have had the ability to commit a battery, appeared to have the ability, or thought they had the power.

Defendants facing false or exaggerated assault allegations have various available defenses. Michigan assault defense attorneys can argue for an acquittal or reduced charges based on actual innocence, mistaken identity, self-defense, protection of property, and more.

Assault and Infliction of Serious Injury (Aggravated Assault)

Misdemeanor with Maximum Possible Sentence of 1 year in Jail – This is the same crime as assault or assault and battery, with the additional requirement that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the assault caused a serious or aggravated injury. A serious or aggravated injury is a physical injury that requires immediate medical treatment or causes disfigurement, impairment of health, or impairment of a part of the body.

Assault with Intent to Murder

Felony with Maximum Possible Sentence of Life in Prison – The defendant must have tried to assault another person physically. When the defendant assaulted the other person, they must have had the ability to cause an injury or believed they could cause an injury. Finally, the defendant must have intended to kill the person.

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Assault with Intent to Commit Great Bodily Harm (Less Than Murder) (Also known as Assault GBH)

Felony with a Maximum Possible Sentence of 10 Years in Prison – This offense has the same requirements of assault or assault and battery with a couple of additional requirements. At the time of the assault, the defendant had the ability to cause an injury or at least believed that they had the ability, and the defendant must have intended to cause great bodily harm. Actual injury is unnecessary, but if there was an injury, you might consider it as evidence in deciding whether the defendant intended to cause great bodily harm. Great bodily harm means any physical injury that could seriously harm the health or function of the body.

Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony

Felony with Maximum Possible Sentence of 10 years in Prison – To prove this charge, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant either attempted to commit a battery or did an act that would cause a reasonable person to fear or apprehend an immediate battery. A battery is a forceful or violent touching of a person or something closely connected to them. The defendant must have intended to injure the complainant or make the complainant reasonably fear an immediate battery. The defendant must have had the ability to commit a battery, appeared to have the ability, or thought they had the ability. When the defendant assaulted the complainant, they must have intended to commit another felony. It does not matter whether the other felony was actually committed. Top Michigan assault defense attorneys can either advocate for an exceptional plea or sentence agreement or fight for an acquittal to assault charges at trial.

Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

Felony with a Maximum Possible Sentence of up to 4 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. A Defendant may be guilty of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Felonious Assault) if they either attempted to commit a battery or did an act that would cause a reasonable person to fear or apprehend an immediate battery. A battery is a forceful or violent touching of a person or something closely connected with the person. The defendant must have intended to cause an injury or make the complainant reasonably fear an immediate battery. At the time of the assault, the defendant must have had the ability to commit a battery, appeared to have the ability, or thought they had the ability. Finally, the assailant must have committed the assault with a dangerous weapon. It is essential to have a qualified Michigan assault defense attorney to defend against an offense involving a dangerous weapon.

A dangerous weapon is any object used in a way that is likely to cause serious physical injury or death. Some objects, such as guns or bombs, are dangerous because they are specifically designed to be dangerous. Other objects are designed for peaceful purposes but may be used as dangerous weapons. How an object is used or intended to be used in an assault determines whether it is a dangerous weapon. If an object is used in a way that is likely to cause serious physical injury or death, it is a dangerous weapon.

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Experienced Assault Crimes Defense

If you’ve been accused of an assaultive felony or misdemeanor offense, do not hesitate to call the Michigan Assault Defense Attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C., for a free consultation. We will take the time to carefully listen to your situation, meticulously analyze the situation to determine the best options, and develop a plan to help you with the matter. Our good and affordable defense attorneys will do whatever is necessary to help attain the best possible outcome for you.

Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.

We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!

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