Assault & Battery

Oakland County Assault & Battery Defense Attorney

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Assault charges are serious and the various laws surrounding these charges are complex. The types of assault and battery are broken down into categories based on the severity of the defendant’s intent. In the state of Michigan, different kinds of intent result in different charges and penalties. These complexities can make assault and battery charges seem overwhelming. If you have been accused of or charged with assault, it is important to have a strong defense attorney to help guide you through your case.

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General vs. Specific Criminal Intent

The law recognizes a difference between general and specific intent, which affects how judges try cases involving assault. General intent requires the prosecution to prove only that the defendant meant to do something illegal. Specific intent requires the prosecution to prove that not only did the defendant mean to commit an illegal act, but they had a specific result in mind. This distinction is what separates a simple assault charge from an aggravated assault charge. Aggravated assault is assault with the intention to cause a specific kind of harm.

Types of Aggravated Assault

Assault with intent to do great bodily harm is punishable by 10 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.
Assault with intent to maim is punishable by 10 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.
Assault with intent to commit murder is punishable by up to a lifetime in prison.

The factors that decide the severity of an assault case are numerous, and an attorney capable of a vigorous defense is indispensable to ensure your rights are protected.

Call on an Aggressive & Experienced Advocate

I am a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I have handled many assault and battery cases in my almost three decades of experience as a defense attorney and believe strongly in the importance of handling cases myself. I have worked as a prosecutor in the past, granting me invaluable insight into the prosecutorial process.