Domestic Violence Lawyers Livingston County
Aggressive, Strategic Defense for Domestic Violence Charges in Livingston County.
When you’re charged with domestic violence, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a dedicated advocate who understands the local legal system and will fight to protect your future.
Practice Areas
Serious Consequences for Domestic Violence Charges in Livingston County
Domestic violence charges in Livingston County are pursued aggressively by the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office and investigated thoroughly by local law enforcement, including the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, Brighton City Police Department, Howell Police Department, and Michigan State Police. An accusation alone often leads to immediate arrest and the imposition of strict bond conditions.
The most critical of these conditions is typically a No-Contact Order. This court order will prohibit you from having any contact—direct or indirect—with the alleged victim. This means you may be barred from returning to your own home, seeing your children, and communicating via phone, text, or social media. Violating this order, even at the invitation of the alleged victim, will result in a separate criminal charge.
Once charges are filed, misdemeanor cases are handled at the 53rd District Court in Howell. Felony charges also begin there for a preliminary examination before being bound over to the 44th Circuit Court (Livingston County Circuit Court). The judges and prosecutors in these courts have a low tolerance for domestic violence offenses and often seek significant penalties, even for first-time offenders.
If you are facing domestic violence charges in Livingston County, your first call should be to an experienced criminal defense attorney. A conviction carries life-altering consequences, and navigating the local court system without expert guidance is a serious risk.
Dedicated Defense for Livingston County Clients
Mamat Law provides strategic, personalized defense for those accused of domestic violence in Livingston County. Our attorneys understand the complexity and sensitivity of these cases and offer clear, practical legal guidance from the moment you’re arrested through every stage of the legal process.
We represent clients in Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Fowlerville, Hamburg, Green Oak Township, and across all of Livingston County. Our deep experience has allowed us to build professional working relationships with local prosecutors, court staff, and judges. This isn’t about “backroom deals”; it’s about understanding the unwritten rules, the specific tendencies of the prosecutors, and how to present your case most effectively within the local system. We leverage this knowledge to craft informed, powerful defenses tailored to your unique circumstances.
Whether you were acting in self-defense, are falsely accused, or the situation was a misunderstanding, Mamat Law is focused on protecting your legal rights, your reputation, and your future.
Understanding Domestic Violence Under Michigan Law
In Michigan, “domestic violence” is not a standalone crime but an assaultive offense defined by the relationship between the accused and the alleged victim. Under Michigan law (MCL 750.81), domestic assault is an assault or an assault and battery committed against an individual with whom one has a domestic relationship.
- An assault is an attempt to cause physical injury or an act that causes a reasonable fear of immediate injury. No physical contact is required.
- An assault and battery involves intentional, unwanted, and forceful or offensive touching.
Qualifying domestic relationships are broadly defined and include:
- A current or former spouse
- A person with whom you have a child in common
- A current or former dating partner (the definition of “dating” can be very broad)
- An individual who resides or has resided in the same household
A critical part of any defense is analyzing whether the relationship and the alleged act legally meet the statutory definitions.
Common Domestic Violence Charges and the Critical 769.4a Deferral
Domestic violence charges range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. The potential penalties depend on your criminal history and the specifics of the incident.
Domestic Assault – First Offense (MCL 750.81): A misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.
The First Offender Deferral (MCL 769.4a): For eligible first-time offenders, this is the most important legal option. Under this statute, you can plead guilty or no contest, but the court defers judgment and places you on probation. Upon successful completion of probation (which may include counseling or anger management), the court **dismisses the charge**, and **no public conviction enters your record**. Securing a 769.4a deferral is a primary goal in most first-offense cases to protect your future.
- Domestic Assault – Second Offense: A misdemeanor with enhanced penalties of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
- Domestic Assault – Third or Subsequent Offense (MCL 750.81(4)): A felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
- Aggravated Domestic Assault (MCL 750.81a): This charge applies if an assault, without a weapon, results in a “serious or aggravated injury” (an injury requiring immediate medical attention or causing disfigurement).
- First Offense: A misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
- Second or Subsequent Offense: A felony, up to 5 years in prison.
- Assault by Strangulation or Suffocation (MCL 750.84): A serious felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. This is charged when there is an allegation of intentionally impeding breathing or blood circulation.
Felonious Assault (MCL 750.82): Assault with a dangerous weapon (e.g., a gun, knife, or any object used as a weapon). A felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison.
Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) in Livingston County
A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a civil order that can be requested from the Livingston County Circuit Court to prohibit contact, stalking, or harassment. A PPO can be issued even if no criminal charges are ever filed.
An ex parte PPO is often granted without an initial hearing based solely on the petitioner’s written allegations. You, the respondent, then have the right to request a hearing to challenge the PPO and ask the judge to terminate it. The burden of proof for a PPO is lower than in a criminal case, which is why it is critical to have legal representation at the hearing.
Violating a PPO is a criminal offense, punishable by up to 93 days in jail and fines. Furthermore, being subject to a PPO will result in a prohibition on purchasing or possessing firearms under both state and federal law for the duration of the order.
Penalties Beyond Jail Time
A domestic violence conviction in Livingston County creates a ripple effect of negative consequences:
- Permanent Criminal Record: While Michigan’s “Clean Slate” laws have made expungement possible for a first-offense domestic violence misdemeanor after 5 years, this is a long wait. The 769.4a deferral avoids a conviction entirely, making it a far superior outcome.
- Loss of Firearm Rights: Under federal law (the Lautenberg Amendment), anyone convicted of even a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is **banned for life** from owning or possessing firearms. This is separate from any state-level restrictions.
- Custody and Parenting Time Issues: A conviction or even a pending charge can be used against you in divorce or custody proceedings in family court.
- Employment and Professional Licensing: A conviction can bar you from careers in law enforcement, healthcare, education, and other licensed professions.
- Immigration Consequences: Non-U.S. citizens can face deportation, denial of naturalization, or inadmissibility.
Reputational Damage: The stigma of a domestic violence charge can harm your personal and professional relationships.
Defense Strategies for Livingston County Domestic Violence Cases
Mamat Law builds a defense from the ground up, starting with a thorough investigation of the facts. Our strategies include:
- Challenging the Evidence: Scrutinizing police reports, 911 calls, body camera footage, photographs, and medical records for inconsistencies or constitutional violations.
- Asserting Self-Defense or Defense of Others: Arguing that your actions were legally justified to protect yourself or another person from harm.
- Exposing False Accusations: Investigating the accuser’s potential motives to fabricate, such as gaining leverage in a divorce or child custody dispute.
- Challenging the “Domestic Relationship” Element: If the legal definition of a domestic relationship is not met, the charge cannot stand.
- Negotiating for Optimal Outcomes: Vigorously pursuing a dismissal, a 4a deferral, or a plea to a non-domestic offense (like simple Assault and Battery) to avoid the severe collateral consequences of a DV conviction.
- Preparing for Trial: While we aim for pretrial resolutions, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, putting you in the strongest possible negotiating position.
Why Choose Mamat Law for Domestic Violence Defense in Livingston County
Mamat Law offers the personalized, aggressive defense you need, backed by deep knowledge of the local courts and procedures in Livingston County. Clients choose us because:
- We are intimately familiar with the practices of the 53rd District Court and the 44th Circuit Court.
- We have successfully handled hundreds of domestic violence cases across Southeast Michigan.
- We prioritize securing dismissals and 769.4a deferrals to protect our clients’ records.
- We provide clear, honest communication and keep you informed every step of the way.
- We fight relentlessly for the best possible outcome, whether through negotiation or trial.
- We offer compassionate, non-judgmental support during a highly stressful time.
From Howell and Brighton to South Lyon and across the county, Mamat Law is ready to be your shield in the criminal justice system.
Request a Free, Confidential Consultation
If you or a loved one is facing a domestic violence charge in Livingston County, do not wait. The decisions you make in the first 48 hours can define the course of your case. Contact Mamat Law today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced domestic violence defense lawyer.
Call now or submit our secure contact form. We are here to fight for your freedom, your future, and your reputation.