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.

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.

Misdemeanor with Maximum Possible Sentence of One 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.

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.

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.

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 defendant actually committed the other felony. 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.

Felony with a Maximum Possible Sentence of up to four (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.