When you have been arrested for domestic violence in Livonia, Michigan, you need specialized and expert legal help if you hope to beat the charges. The right domestic violence defense lawyer can mean the difference between dismissed charges or a conviction and a misdemeanor or a felony.
Because this can be a stressful, scary, and confusing time, Blank Law, PC is here to answer your questions and help you find your best path forward. As the top domestic violence criminal defense lawyers in Livonia, Michigan, we will fight for your rights, your freedom, and your future.
Let us know about your situation, and we’ll let you know how we can help. The INITIAL CONSULTATION IS FREE.
Under Michigan law, domestic violence is defined as any criminal assault where the perpetrator and the victim have or had a personal relationship:
Importantly, Michigan domestic violence laws do not apply to acquaintances or casual relationships from other business or social settings. A “dating relationship” is specifically defined as “an expectation of affectional involvement.”
This is the kind of legal distinction that a top Livonia domestic violence criminal defense attorney can use to help you fight improper charges.
Blank Law can make the Michigan domestic violence statutes work for you and your defense. Contact us TODAY for a FREE CASE EVALUATION.
The Domestic Violence and Treatment Act makes it a crime to cause or attempt to cause mental or physical harm to anyone from a defined personal relationship. This includes:
Note that domestic violence does NOT just involve physical violence. You can be charged with a crime even if you have never touched the other person.
This gives the Wayne County District Attorney complete discretion as to whether or not to file charges. Domestic violence is not considered a typical “private” crime, where an individual decides if they want to press criminal charges against someone else. The DA can prosecute a Livonia domestic assault accusation, even if the alleged victim does not cooperate.
Because intimate partner violence is taken so seriously and prosecuted so aggressively, you need a Livonia domestic law firm who will work even harder to clear your name.
To find out more about what Blank Law can do for you, call TODAY for a FREE FIRST CONSULTATION.
Because so many different actions can be prosecuted as domestic violence crimes in Livonia, the potential penalties, if you are convicted, can vary tremendously. You could be facing a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on specific circumstances. Other factors that affect the severity of the charges include any injuries suffered by the victim, use of a weapon, and if you have a history of prior convictions.
Domestic assault is a misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and/or a fine of $500.
However, if you have previous domestic violence convictions, the maximum penalties worsen considerably:
Previous convictions trigger enhanced penalties even if they do not involve the same victim.
If the victim is injured and requires medical attention, it is a misdemeanor domestic violence offense, with maximum penalties of 1 year in prison, a fine of $1000, or both.
In the case of injury, any prior conviction results in a felony domestic violence charge, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, up to $5000 fine, or both.
Finally, under certain circumstances, the penalties can be far more severe – use of a weapon, assault by strangulation or suffocation, or if there was demonstrable intent to maim or otherwise inflict great bodily harm. These are felonies carrying a 10-year prison sentence.
Other possible consequences include:
With everything on the line, you need the experience and skill of the domestic violence criminal defense specialists at Blank Law, PC.
Other law firms in Livonia cannot match the specialized legal knowledge and extensive experience of the domestic violence criminal defense lawyers at Blank Law, PC.
Founder Nicole Blank Becker has worked both sides of the law for more than 20 years, as private defense and as an Assistant Prosecutor for Macomb County, serving as the Chief of the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Units.
Defense attorney Christopher Coyle worked as an Assistant Prosecutor here in the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office for over 30 years, including a tenure as Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Unit.
That is 50-plus years of knowledge, and practical experience that should be working on your behalf. Reach out TODAY for a FREE CONSULTATION
32765 Five Mile Road
Livonia, Michigan 48154
(734) 466-2500
Frank Murphy Hall of Justice
1441 St. Antoine
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-7018
There are two judges presiding over the 16th District Court in Livonia.
Honorable Sean P. Kavanagh
Honorable Kathleen J. McCann
There are 23 judges serving on the bench for the Criminal Division of the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit.
Honorable Donald Knapp, Jr. (Presiding)
Honorable Chandra W. Baker-Robinson
Honorable Mariam Bazzi
Honorable Gregory Dean Bill
Honorable Christopher M. Blount
Honorable Bradley Cobb
Honorable Kevin J. Cox
Honorable Kiefer Cox
Honorable Paul J. Cusick
Honorable Prentis Edwards, Jr.
Honorable Wanda A. Evans
Honorable John C. Gillis
Honorable Tracy E. Green
Honorable Bridget Mary Hathaway
Honorable Nicholas Hathaway
Honorable Anne McCarthy
Honorable Kelly A. Ramsey
Honorable Mark T. Slavens
Honorable Deborah A. Thomas
Honorable Regina D. Thomas
Honorable Margaret M. Van Houten
Honorable Shannon N. Walker
(313) 224-5777
(313) 224-5857
Special Victim’s Unit
(313) 224-5809
There are two parking lots for the 16th District Court in Livonia – on the north and west sides of the building.
The main parking lot for the 3rd Circuit Court is to the west of the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice.
Most nearby restaurants open for lunch in Livonia are along Plymouth Road. Fast food options include Subway, KFC, Pizza Hut, White Castle, Five Guys, and Chick-Fil-A, but there are also several local choices.
29499 Plymouth Road
(734) 266-7001
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30471 Plymouth Road
(734) 524-2820
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27524 Plymouth Road
(734) 261-2609
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Here are some lunch options close to the 3rd Circuit Court, most are along Woodward Avenue:
12300 Woodward Avenue
(313) 826-0211
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13548 Woodward Avenue
(313) 438-5800
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71 Oakman Boulevard
(313) 865-1288