Crimes involving domestic violence are prevalent across the United States, and worldwide. Project Sanctuary estimates over 10 million domestic violence victims are in the United States. Also, intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of violent crimes.

As a result, legal systems impose harsh penalties on defendants convicted of domestic violence. Anyone accused of domestic violence in Michigan risks severe punishment, whether as a first–time offender or a previously convicted person. Domestic violence laws in Michigan strictly punish both misdemeanor and felony offenses.

If you face domestic violence charges in Michigan, you need assistance from the top domestic violence lawyers in the state. Navigating the criminal justice system process alone can be tricky, especially if you lack legal assistance. Our winning criminal defense team is prepared to guide and represent you in your domestic violence case. Contact Blank Law, PC for a free consultation with our MI domestic violence attorney.

Once you create an attorney-client relationship with us, we will help you develop a solid criminal defense against the domestic violence charges brought against you. Contact us for a free consultation with our skilled domestic violence attorney.

Domestic Violence Lawyers in Michigan

Domestic violence cases are common in Michigan. The types of relationships that often give rise to domestic violence allegations include the following:

• The defendant’s current or former spouse
• A person previously or currently in a dating relationship with the defendant
• A person with whom the defendant shares a child
• Someone living in the defendant’s house

Anyone facing domestic violence charges, spousal abuse, or stalking charges will need an aggressive and highly skilled domestic violence defense attorney. A domestic violence lawyer on our team can help you with your case.

Domestic violence charges frequently result in harsher penalties than assault charges. Contact Blank Law, PC for a diligent domestic violence lawyer to help you with your case. Our seasoned Michigan criminal defense lawyers will work hard to prevent your potential conviction and jail time. Book a free consultation with our Michigan domestic violence lawyers now.

Our family law attorneys at Blank Law, PC are highly experienced in dealing with various domestic violence allegations. They will ensure you get the best possible outcome for your case. Schedule a free consultation with a top Michigan criminal lawyer at Blank Law, PC, today.

Domestic Violence Charges in the Michigan Criminal Justice System

Michigan criminal law defines domestic violence as battery or assault by someone or more than one person against another person(s) with whom they are in a relationship, particularly the ones mentioned earlier.

According to Western Michigan University, domestic violence is when a victim is subjected to physical, emotional, financial, verbal, or criminal sexual abuse by someone they trust to show dominance over the victim.

If you are found guilty of domestic violence, your sentence may include two mandatory years of probation or five years for a felony domestic violence conviction, community work, and/or anger management counseling. In addition, if a domestic violence offense occurs between a parent and child, the parent could lose child custody partially or wholly.

The district court typically handles misdemeanor domestic violence cases. However, if a misdemeanor charge is upgraded to a felony, the district court will consider the case first, followed by the judicial circuit court. Domestic violence cases in district or circuit court are reviewed in the Michigan county where the assault occurred.

According to the Michigan Penal Code, there are two separate categories of domestic violence in Michigan – domestic and aggravated domestic assault.

Domestic Assault Under Section 750.81 of the Michigan Penal Code

Domestic violence victims need not suffer injury before filing a complaint against the defendant in domestic assault cases. Michigan domestic laws prescribe harsh penalties for those convicted of spousal abuse in Michigan.

Therefore, you need an experienced domestic violence attorney if you have been accused of domestic assault in Michigan. Our team of domestic violence lawyers can help you avoid being convicted and punished for assault in Michigan.

The penalties for domestic assault charges in Michigan are:

• First offense (misdemeanor): Maximum penalty of 93-day jail time, a $500 fine, or both
• Second conviction (misdemeanor): Up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both
• Third conviction (felony): Up to two years in prison, a $2,500 fine, or both

Judges have a lot of leeway in determining the punishment in domestic violence cases. Thus, harsh penalties may be imposed for even less severe domestic assaults. Therefore, you should act promptly to construct a robust defense. Book a free consultation with our top MI domestic violence attorney to avoid serious jail time.

Aggravated Domestic Assault Charges Under Section 750.81a of the Michigan Penal Code

On the other hand, when a victim sustains serious or aggravated injuries that necessitate medical care, the accused persons may be charged with aggravated domestic assault in Michigan.

The punishment for aggravated assault in Michigan includes the following:

• First offense (misdemeanor): A maximum jail time of one year, a $1,000 fine, or both
• Second criminal conviction (felony): Up to two years in prison, a $2,500 fine, or both

We can provide you with the best domestic violence lawyer for your case. The domestic violence lawyer you hire from our law firm will fight aggressively for you to help you avoid prison time and penalties if you have been accused of spousal battery, domestic violence, or aggravated domestic assault. Contact our law firm for a free consultation with a leading Michigan domestic violence lawyer.

Those Accused of Domestic Violence May Also Be Charged with Stalking Under Michigan Criminal Law

Under Michigan law, stalking is defined as a deliberate act or behavior involving repeated or ongoing harassment of another person that would reasonably cause that person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested.

In Michigan, a course of conduct is characterized as a pattern of behavior made up of two or more discrete actions that demonstrate continuity of purpose. Stalking also entails unconsented contact.

According to the Michigan Penal Code, unconsented contact is any contact that is started or maintained with another person without that person’s consent or disregards that person’s stated desire to avoid or end the contact.

Unwanted contact encompasses, but is not restricted to, the following:

• Approaching or addressing someone in a public or private area
• Entering or staying on real estate that the victim owns, rents, or occupies
• Trailing or following someone
• Sending messages via email or other means
• Delivering or putting an object on the alleged victim
• Interacting with or being present at the victim‘s home or place of employment
• Calling the person on the phone

Michigan stalking laws cites punishments of up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. You need the help of a qualified domestic violence lawyer in Michigan if you are accused of stalking anywhere in the state. Book a free consultation with us to speak with a domestic violence lawyer in Michigan today.

Attorney Nicole Blank Becker is a leading domestic violence lawyer in Michigan. She can help you navigate the Michigan court system and create a criminal defense to help you get the best outcome in your case. Schedule a free consultation with an MI domestic violence attorney at Blank Law, PC now.

What is Aggravated Stalking in Michigan?

When a person participates in stalking, with the following conditions present, the court considers it aggravated stalking under Michigan stalking laws.

• Contravening a preliminary injunction
• Violating a restraining order with actual notice
• Breaching the terms of a parole agreement, probationary release, pretrial release, or bond release condition while awaiting an appeal

Thus, the court considers it aggravated stalking when the alleged victim’s personal protection orders are violated (see: Michigan no contact order laws). In Michigan, aggravated stalking is a felony offense punishable by up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Contact an MI domestic violence attorney at our law firm for a free consultation.

Stalking a Child Under 18 Years of Age

If you are accused of stalking someone under 18 at the time of the alleged course of conduct, and you are more than five years older than the alleged victim, you will face harsher criminal penalties under the Michigan criminal justice system. Therefore, you must hire a skilled domestic violence lawyer who can fight for you.

The criminal penalties for stalking a juvenile in Michigan include the following:

• Stalking a minor (felony): Up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both
• Aggravated stalking of a minor (felony): A maximum 10–year prison sentence, a $15,000 fine, or both

Contact us for a free consultation with a top MI domestic violence attorney if you are charged with stalking a minor anywhere in Michigan.

Our Legal Team Can Help You Achieve the Best Outcome for Your Domestic Violence Case

Blank Law, PC is Michigan’s leading criminal defense law firm. We offer various legal services, including, but not limited to, domestic violence, sexual assault, criminal sexual conduct, stalking, indecent exposure, internet sex crimes, and sexual harassment charges.

We can help you find the best domestic violence lawyer for your case. Attorney Nicole Blank Becker is a top MI domestic violence attorney with experience defending clients facing criminal charges. She understands how complicated these accusations are and will use her extensive knowledge and experience to successfully refute them so you can avoid a guilty verdict and prison time. Contact Blank Law, PC for a free consultation for your case.

In addition, all of our Michigan domestic violence lawyers are experienced in dealing with the Federal Public Defenders Office. They can represent you if you are charged with domestic violence at the federal level. Contact us for a free consultation if you face federal charges for domestic violence.

Superior Techniques and Proven Outcomes in Challenging Domestic Violence Allegations

Our team has spent decades keeping clients out of prison, and we can help find the best MI domestic violence attorney for you and your case. The domestic violence lawyer working on your case will advise you on the most effective strategies to keep you out of jail.

Our MI domestic violence attorney will get working for you right away to defend you against the allegations. All of our domestic violence defense lawyers have a track record of success in identifying the motivations behind domestic abuse accusations, such as those about child custody, visitation rights, and divorce. You can trust us with your case; book a free consultation with our office to get started immediately.

Contact Blank Law, PC for an Aggressive Criminal Defense

Michigan criminal law contains strict provisions relating to domestic assault arrests, such as warrantless detention, the admission of previous domestic violence convictions in court, and significant increases in punishment for subsequent domestic violence convictions. Contact a Blank Law, PC MI domestic violence attorney to prevent jail time and other legal repercussions. Schedule a free consultation today.

Attorney Nicole Blank Becker is an experienced trial attorney that will can defend you against the Federal Public Defenders Office if you also face federal charges for domestic violence. Contact our law office for a free consultation with her now.