Assault and Battery

Metro Detroit Assault Defense Lawyers

A husband slaps his wife during a heated argument. A man intervenes in a bar fight and punches another man to protect his friend from serious injury. A severely intoxicated woman strikes a police officer when they are trying to arrest her for OWI/DUI. A teenager threatens his teacher with a knife. A storeowner shoots a customer.

All of these scenarios involve assault. Some will be prosecuted as a crime, others might not. Assault charges range from simple misdemeanor assault to felonious assault resulting in great bodily harm. Because the facts and circumstances of each alleged assault are different, each will require a different defense strategy.

If you have been charged with assault or battery, you need an attorney who will take the time to investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest and who will explain your options for defense. To discuss your assault charges with one of our experienced assault defense lawyers, call 800-452-1761 or contact our firm.

Simple Assault - Aggravated Assault - Felonious Assault - Domestic Assault

At the law office of Stearns & Coppins, PLLC, with offices in Warren and Mount Clemens, we defend clients against a variety of assault charges, including:

• Simple assault and battery: This is a misdemeanor offense, which is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
  
• Aggravated assault and battery: This charge is for an assault without a weapon that results in injury. It is also a misdemeanor crime in Michigan and is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
  
• Assaulting, resisting and obstructing a police officer: This is a felony charge with a possible sentence of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of $2,000 if convicted. Even if the police have no right to arrest you (the arrest is unlawful), and you do not strike or harm the officer, you can face serious consequences if you are convicted of resisting an arrest. If an assault on a police officer or law enforcement official results in serious injury, a conviction can result in a prison sentence of 15 years.
  
• Assault with intent: These felony assault charges (assault with intent to maim or assault with intent to cause great bodily harm) are both felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
  
• Domestic abuse/domestic violence: Domestic assault charges will be filed if the alleged victim is a spouse, ex-spouse, significant other, someone you live with or someone with whom you have a child. The sentences, if you are convicted of domestic abuse or assault, are greater than other types of assault.

If an assault involved the use of a weapon, the sentence will be greater. If you have prior assault convictions on your criminal record, the penalties if you are convicted will likely be even harsher because of Michigan's laws permitting "enhanced" sentences based on your prior record.

We also defend clients who have been arrested for or charged with sexual assault.

Protecting Your Constitutional Rights in Assault and Domestic Violence Cases

If you have been accused of assault, domestic violence, armed robbery or another violent crime, we will work hard to protect your constitutional rights, including your right to a fair trial.

If you hire our criminal defense attorneys, we won't automatically plea bargain your assault charge. When possible, we see to it that criminal charges are reduced or dismissed. If together we make the decision to go to court, we will vigorously challenge everything about the prosecution's case. If we decide that your case is better resolved without a trial, we will work to negotiate the best possible plea agreement and sentence.

Contact our firm to discuss your assault or domestic violence charges in a free initial consultation with an attorney you can trust.