The Criminal Defense Law Center of
West Michigan

Violent Crimes Attorneys
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Violent Crimes are always aggressively prosecuted in all West Michigan courts. Prosecutor’s will push for harsh punishments for anyone convicted of any violent crime and will be well prepared for any violent crime case they are working on.

There are numerous violent crimes that many people are charged within West Michigan. Some of these crimes are:

  • Armed Robbery
  • First Degree Murder
  • Felony Murder
  • Second Degree Murder
  • Manslaughter
  • Vehicular manslaughter
  • Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Assault with Intent to do Great
  • Bodily Harm
  • Rape
  • Assault with intent to do murder
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder

 
We will look at the circumstances of any violent crimes case and whether the prosecutors have overcharged my clients regarding violent crimes. I will exhaust all defenses and look at the prosecutor’s case from every angle for opportunities to have evidence suppressed or charges dismissed.

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Defending Against a Wide Range of Violent Crimes

Assault crimes carry different punishments, depending on whether they are misdemeanors or felonies.

Misdemeanor assault charges

  • Assault and Battery — A conviction for assault or assault and battery is punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days, a fine up to $500, or both. If charges occurred within a dating relationship or you and the person assaulted have a child in common, more severe penalties apply. Previous convictions can also cause punishment to escalate.
  • Aggravated Assault — Aggravated assault means an unlawful attack upon another individual with the intent to inflict severe bodily injury. A weapon or threat to use one is usually involved.

Felony Violent Crimes

  • Assault with intent to maim — Such charges could include cutting out or maiming the tongue, putting out or destroying an eye, cutting or tearing off an ear, cutting, slitting or mutilating the nose or lips, or cutting off or disabling a limb, organ or member. Conviction is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for up to 10 years or by a fine up to $5,000.
  • Assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than the crime of murder and assault by strangulation or suffocation — Conviction of either of these felonies is punishable by imprisonment for a period up to ten years, a fine up to $5,000 or both.
  • Assault with intent to commit murder — Conviction is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for life or any number of years.
  • Assault with intent to rob and steal — If unarmed, a conviction is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for up to 15 years. If armed, a conviction is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for life or for any number of years.

Defending Against Domestic Violence Charges

Domestic violence is a misdemeanor crime in Michigan, punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a $500 fine or both. The word “domestic” means in a relationship with a spouse or former spouse, someone you are currently dating or previously dated, someone with whom you have a child, or a resident or former resident of your household. Domestic violence includes the following acts:

  • Physical abuse — Pushing, shoving or kicking; slapping or biting; strangling; hitting or punching; locking someone out of the house; denying help when your partner is ill, pregnant or injured; using a weapon; not allowing your partner to leave.
  • Sexual abuse — Forcing a person to perform or watch sexual acts.
    Emotional and psychological abuse — Threatening harm to people or pets; ridiculing beliefs, race, heritage, class, religion or sexual orientation; manipulation with lies; stalking.
  • Financial abuse — Unduly denying access to bank accounts, credit cards or motor vehicles; preventing someone from getting or keeping a job or from attending school; limiting access to health, prescription or dental insurance.
    Often the person reporting domestic violence is distraught, and abuse may not be substantiated. With an experienced criminal defense lawyer by your side, you can fight against wrongful accusations and keep both your reputation and your freedom.

Defending Against Homicide And Murder Charges

Homicide offenses include murder and manslaughter. Murder in the first degree, that is, murder committed with premeditation, is a felony, punishable by imprisonment for life. There is no parole. Murder in the second degree is also a felony, punishable by imprisonment for life or any number of years as determined by the court. Murder in the third degree is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years imprisonment.

Murder attempts can also be labeled crimes of passion, acts that happened in the heat of the moment, which might be used to defend you against the charge of premeditated murder. The Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan can help you understand these most serious charges and the evidence against you.  We have the necessary experience within Michigan’s legal system to anticipate the prosecution and prepare a compelling case on your behalf. In court, rest assured we will be a formidable advocate for your rights.

Defending Against Manslaughter Charges

Manslaughter is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for up to 15 years, by fine up to $7,500 or both, as determined by the court. The act of manslaughter results in someone’s death and differs from murder in that there is an absence of premeditated malice.

Manslaughter offenses can be either voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter requires the intent to kill or cause serious bodily injury, while involuntary manslaughter does not.

In an act of self-defense, it is assumed that you would only use enough force to prevent any harm to yourself. If a death occurred as a result of excessive force, it could be considered voluntary manslaughter.

Vehicular homicide, also known as vehicular manslaughter, is a serious offense typically related to drunk driving.

Federal Violent Crimes

Federal Violent crimes are defined as:

(a) an offense that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another, or

(b) any other offense that is a felony and that, by its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force against the person or property of another may be used in the course of committing the offense.

What are the federal crimes and penalties for domestic federal violent crimes?

All federal domestic violence crimes are felonies.

It is a federal crime under VAWA:

To cross state lines or enter or leave Indian country and physically injure an “intimate partner”.

18 U.S.C. Section 2261 C

To cross state lines to stalk or harass or to stalk or harass within the maritime or territorial lands of the United States.

18 U.S.C. Section 2261A C

To cross state lines or enter or leave Indian country and violate a qualifying

Protection Order. 18 U.S.C. Section 2262.

It is a federal crime under the Gun Control Act: C to possess a firearm and/or ammunition while subject to a qualifying Protection Order. 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8)C to possess a firearm and/or ammunition after conviction of a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9) A violation of the Gun Control Act, Sections 922(g)(8) and 922(g)(9), has a maximum prison term of ten years. A violation under VAWA, Section s 2261, 2261A and 2262, has a maximum prison term of five years to life, depending on the seriousness of the bodily injury caused by the defendant. In a VAWA case, the Court must order restitution to pay the victim the full amount of losses.

These losses include costs for medical or psychological care, physical therapy, transportation, temporary housing, childcare expenses, lost income, attorney’s fees, costs incurred in obtaining a civil protection order, and any other losses suffered by the victim as a result of the offense. In a Gun Control Act case, the Court may order restitution.

Please keep a record of all expenses caused by domestic violence crime. What is a qualifying domestic violence misdemeanor? Possession of a firearm and/or ammunition after conviction of a “qualifying” domestic violence misdemeanor is a federal crime under Section 922(g)(9). Generally, the misdemeanor will “qualify” if the conviction was for a crime committed by an intimate partner, parent or guardian of the victim that required the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon. In addition, Section 922(g)(9) imposes other legal requirements.

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