Assault and Battery Defense Lawyers

We fight to protect your freedom, reputation, and future against assault and battery charges anywhere in Michigan. From local district courts to major felony trials, our experienced defense team knows Michigan’s laws, prosecutors, and courts.

Experienced Defense for Assault and Battery Charges Across Michigan

Assault and battery charges can carry serious penalties, ranging from misdemeanors with short jail terms to felonies with years in prison. A conviction can permanently stain your record, limit job opportunities, and even result in no-contact orders that disrupt family life.

At Mamat Law, we defend clients in every corner of Michigan. Whether you are charged in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, or any other city or county, we understand the local courts, prosecutors, and how to build a strong, fact-based defense.

We know that every case is unique. Our defense strategy is tailored to your situation, whether you need a dismissal, a reduction in charges, a not-guilty verdict, or the best possible plea agreement.

Understanding Assault and Battery Under Michigan Law

Michigan law treats assault and battery as separate but often overlapping offenses:

  • Assault is any intentional act that causes another person to reasonably fear immediate harm, even if no contact occurs.
  • Battery is the actual offensive or harmful physical contact.

Charges range from simple misdemeanor assault to serious felony assaults with weapons or intent to kill. Prosecutors often add enhancements for repeat offenses or if the victim is a police officer, EMT, or other protected worker.

Types of Assault and Battery Charges We Defend

Simple Assault and Battery (MCL 750.81)

  • Misdemeanor offense
  • Up to 93 days in jail and/or $500 fine for first offense
  • Enhanced penalties for repeat convictions
  • Often arises from fights, arguments, or misunderstandings

We challenge witness credibility, question intent, and fight to show self-defense or lack of provable threat.

Aggravated Assault (MCL 750.81a)

  • No weapon involved, but victim suffers serious or aggravated injury
  • Up to 1 year in jail
  • Often involves medical testimony and injury documentation

We dissect medical evidence and cross-examine witnesses to dispute claims of “serious” injury or intent.

Felonious Assault (MCL 750.82)

  • Assault with a dangerous weapon (knife, gun, bat, vehicle, etc.)
  • Up to 4 years in prison and/or $2,000 fine
  • Enhanced penalties in school zones

We analyze self-defense claims, weapon possession legality, and intent. We also negotiate for reduced charges when possible.

Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm (MCL 750.84)

  • Felony with up to 10 years in prison
  • Involves serious assaults where intent to cause great harm is alleged
    We fight to prove lack of intent, proportional self-defense, or that injuries do not meet statutory thresholds.

Assault with Intent to Commit Murder (MCL 750.83)

  • Among Michigan’s most severe assault charges
  • Potential penalty: up to life imprisonment
    These cases require deep investigation, expert testimony, and challenging every element of the state’s case.

Domestic Assault and Battery

  • Special statutes cover assaults involving spouses, partners, cohabitants, ex-partners, and parents of shared children.
  • Penalties increase if victim is pregnant.
  • Judges often impose no-contact orders, probation conditions, and counseling requirements.
    We understand the complex dynamics of these cases and fight to avoid unnecessary criminalization of family disputes.

Assault by Strangulation or Suffocation (MCL 750.84)

  • Felony charge
  • Up to 10 years in prison
  • Applied aggressively in domestic violence contexts

We examine medical evidence and cross-examine witnesses to dispute claims of strangulation or suffocation.

Assault with Intent to Maim (MCL 750.86)

  • Felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison
  • Allegations of intent to permanently disfigure or disable

We scrutinize evidence for exaggeration and negotiate reductions where intent to maim is not clear.

Typical Examples of Assault and Battery Cases We Defend

  • Bar fights, sports altercations, road rage incidents
  • Domestic partner disputes
  • Self-defense cases where force was necessary
  • Threatening gestures or words leading to assault charges
  • Use of weapons in confrontations, even if no one was injured
  • Accidental injuries mischaracterized as assault

Penalties for Assault and Battery in Michigan

  • Misdemeanor assault: up to 93 days jail
  • Aggravated assault: up to 1 year jail
  • Felonious assault: up to 4 years prison
  • Assault with intent to do great bodily harm: up to 10 years prison
  • Assault with intent to murder: up to life in prison

Repeat offenders, use of weapons, protected victims (police, EMTs), and assaults in school zones can all increase penalties.

Proven Defense Strategies for Assault Charges

At Mamat Law, we deploy comprehensive, tailored defense strategies to challenge every aspect of the prosecution’s case. Assault and battery cases often hinge on nuanced facts, conflicting stories, and credibility battles. We know the Michigan Penal Code, local court practices, and the tactics prosecutors use—and we use that to our clients’ advantage.

Challenging Intent
In Michigan, prosecutors must prove you acted intentionally to threaten or harm. We work to show any contact was accidental, incidental, or lacked criminal intent. For example, in crowded venues, jostling or bumping can be misinterpreted as aggression. We highlight inconsistencies in witness testimony and show how alcohol, lighting, or distance may have caused false perceptions.

Proving Self-Defense or Defense of Others

Michigan law (including the Self-Defense Act) permits the use of force if you honestly and reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent imminent harm to yourself or others. We carefully reconstruct the scene, present your side of the confrontation, and demonstrate why your actions were justified under the law. This often involves working with forensic experts, video evidence, and witness accounts.

Investigating Police Procedures and Constitutional Violations

Unlawful searches, seizures, and interrogations can violate your Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights. We scrutinize whether police had probable cause to arrest, if they read you your Miranda rights, or if they used improper interrogation tactics. Evidence obtained illegally can often be suppressed, which will weaken or collapse the prosecution’s case.

Showing the Other Party Was the True Aggressor

Michigan juries need to see the full picture. Often, alleged victims are actually the instigators. We investigate backgrounds, prior threats, social media posts, and witness statements to prove you acted in defense or were provoked. We highlight injuries you sustained to support your self-defense narrative.

Negotiating for First-Time Offender or Deferred Sentencing Programs

For eligible defendants, Michigan offers alternatives to conviction and jail. We negotiate entry into first-time offender programs that focus on rehabilitation over punishment. For example, in some domestic assault cases, courts may allow participation in counseling or anger management in lieu of jail time. Successful completion can result in dismissed charges or no criminal record.

Pursuing HYTA Eligibility for Young Defendants

The Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) allows defendants aged 17 to 26 (with some conditions) to avoid a permanent criminal record. We advocate for HYTA sentencing when possible, helping young people avoid lifelong barriers to employment, housing, and education. We know what judges want to see in HYTA petitions and help craft strong plans for acceptance.

Local Knowledge, Personal Touch

We know the judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and court staff throughout Michigan. That knowledge helps us predict how cases will proceed and negotiate outcomes tailored to each jurisdiction. At Mamat Law, you don’t get a one-size-fits-all approach. You get a defense strategy built on experience, local insight, and your unique circumstances.

Serving Clients Statewide

We represent assault and battery defendants throughout Michigan, including:
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Flint, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Saginaw, Muskegon, Port Huron, and all counties statewide. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor charges in district court or serious felonies in circuit court, Mamat Law is your statewide criminal defense resource.

Talk to an Experienced Michigan Assault and Battery Defense Lawyer Today
Your future is too important to trust to chance. Contact Mamat Law today for a confidential consultation.