Grand Rapids Assault Lawyer

Facing an assault charge can be a very stressful experience. Regardless of the circumstances leading to the criminal charges against you, the results of an assault conviction can have lasting consequences on your freedom and personal life.

An experienced Grand Rapids assault lawyer will have successfully defended against many different types of assault charges, and will help you navigate this difficult time with compassion and professionalism. If you are facing an assault charge of any kind, a Grand Rapids criminal lawyer will work with you to help you build the best possible defense.

Michigan laws regarding assault charges can be found in section 750.81, Michigan Penal Code. Michigan defines assault as an attempt to cause physical injury to another person; an intentional action or threat of action that reasonably causes a person to fear they are about to be injured constitutes an assault.

It is important to understand that a physical injury to another person, also known as a battery, need not have resulted in order for a person to be charged with assault. It is also important to know that assault against an officer charges will have serious penalties to be wary of as well. These elements can be further explained by consulting with a Grand Rapids assault attorney.

Battery is the actual offensive contact threatened by the assault. Battery is defined as an intentional, forceful, violent, or offensive touching of a person against their will. While a person may be charged with assault without battery, these crimes are closely related under Michigan law, as battery is considered the completion of the assault.

Together, these crimes are defined by state law as Simple Assault and Battery. A simple assault and battery charge is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by fines of up to $500, and up to 93 days in jail. These crimes can be effectively defended using an experienced Grand Rapids assault lawyer.

Aggravated Assault occurs when the person who was assaulted actually suffers an injury. Penalties for aggravated assault are higher than those for simple assault, although the prosecution will be required to present evidence of the injury before a person can be convicted of aggravated assault.

A conviction of aggravated assault is still a misdemeanor offense, and may result in fines of up to $1,000 and up to one year in prison.

Assault with a Dangerous Weapon is a felony offense and is defined as an assault committed with a dangerous weapon. As many different objects can be considered dangerous weapons in the context of an assault, the possibility that someone may be charged with this serious felony should be discussed with a Grand Rapids assault lawyer as soon as possible.

The elements that the prosecution must prove to obtain a conviction will vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Conviction of an assault with a dangerous weapon charge can result in jail time of up to four years and a fine of up to $2,000. An individual should contact a Grand Rapids assault attorney immediately to begin mounting an effective defense.

Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm is a serious felony offense that can result in jail time of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $5,000. To obtain a conviction, the prosecution will need to present evidence proving that a person intended to do serious injury of an aggravated nature, which involves hard-to-prove elements regarding the individual’s mental state.

The actual resulting injury from the assault is less important than the potential injury in establishing this intent element, making the assistance of an experienced Grand Rapids assault lawyer important if facing this type of charge.

If a person has been charged with assault, they are likely overwhelmed by the serious consequences they are facing. A felony assault conviction can have lasting effects on your ability to obtain credit, pass a background check, and find employment.

The prosecution that will be presenting the case against the defendant is made up of highly trained professionals who are focused on obtaining a conviction. A person facing assault charges will need a knowledgeable attorney in Grand Rapids on their side to defend them. Attempting to represent oneself can put the defendant at a serious disadvantage, with a lot on the line.

Experienced Grand Rapids assault lawyers will help clients understand how the law applies to their unique case, and will put their legal experience to work for them in helping to build the best possible defense to the charges being faced. In some cases, a defense attorney may even succeed in having the charges against their client lowered or dismissed entirely.

If you have been charged with an assault, you need to obtain legal representation as soon as possible. An assault attorney in Grand Rapids is aware of the affects an assault charge can have on your personal life and the way those around you view you and realize that dealing with these serious charges can seem overwhelming. Do not assume that an assault charge or an arrest guarantees a conviction.

There are many different ways to defend against charges of assault, and our attorneys have experience in all types of different situations. If you have been charged with an assault of any kind in the Grand Rapids area contact an assault attorney today to discuss your case and get the help you need to defend your legal rights.