East Lansing Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer

Do you have questions about how to fight domestic violence charges in East Lansing, Michigan?

At Blank Law, PC, we understand that this can be a stressful and confusing time – you know that domestic assault allegations are serious, but you don’t know what to do to protect yourself.

As the best domestic violence law firm in East Lansing, we are here to answer your questions and fight for your Constitutional, due process, and civil rights.

To discuss your case and to schedule a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION, contact Blank Law TODAY!

Is Domestic Violence in East Lansing a Misdemeanor or a Felony?

Any act that is committed in an intentional attempt to harm, control, intimidate, or unlawfully track a current or former family member, romantic partner, or roommate can be domestic violence:

• Physical assault
• Sexual misconduct
• Kidnapping
• Vandalism
• Destruction of property
• Stalking
• Cyberbullying
• Threats

This gives the District Attorney extremely broad discretion on whether or not to prosecute and what criminal charges to file.

In Michigan, domestic violence is not a “private” crime, where one person chooses if they want to press charges against someone else. In other words, the Ingham DA can file charges in an East Lansing domestic assault case, even if the alleged victim wants to drop the charges and refuses to cooperate.

Because many different crimes can be prosecuted as domestic violence, the penalties can vary – misdemeanor or felony, depending on the specifics of the case.

What are the Penalties for Domestic Violence?

Domestic assault is a misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 93 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.

If you have any prior domestic violence convictions, however, the maximum penalties are enhanced:

• Single prior (Misdemeanor) – 1 year in prison and/or a $1000 fine
• Two or more priors (Felony) –5 years in prison and/or a $5000 fine

The prior domestic violence conviction does not have to involve the same alleged victim to trigger enhanced penalties.

If the alleged victim is injured and requires medical attention, it is still a misdemeanor, with maximum penalties of 1 year in prison and/or a $1000 fine.

However, any prior conviction results in a felony charge with maximum enhanced penalties of 5 years in prison and/or a $5000 fine.

The penalties can be even more severe if:

• A weapon was involved
• The victim was strangled or suffocated
• There was provable intent to maim or otherwise do great bodily harm

These are automatic felonies punishable by a 10-year prison sentence.

Besides jail time and fines, other potential consequences include:

• Restraining or Protective Orders
• Court Costs and Restitution
• Eviction from the Home
• Unfavorable Divorce Rulings
• Denial of Dispute Mediation
• Denied or Supervised Visitation
• Loss of Child Custody
• Mandatory Psychological Evaluation
• Anger Management Classes
• Batterer’s Intervention Program
• Mental Health Counseling
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Sex Offender Registration
• Loss of the Right to Own a Firearm
• Negatively-Affected Immigration Status

A domestic violence conviction gives you a permanent criminal record that stays with you for the rest of your life and affects where you are allowed to live and work.

To beat domestic violence charges in East Lansing, you need an experienced domestic violence criminal defense specialist.

Reach out to Blank Law – the FIRST CONSULTATION IS FREE.

How Can Blank Law Defend Me Against Domestic Violence Charges?

As former prosecutors, the domestic violence defense lawyers at Blank Law know how to anticipate the Ingham County District Attorney’s strategy. This gives Blank Law a distinct advantage when picking apart the charges to establish reasonable doubt:

• Every statement
• Every piece of evidence
• Every report
• Every witness
• Every action taken by law enforcement

If the police were too hasty or violated your rights, if you were actually acting in self-defense, or if you are the target of false domestic violence allegations, the truth will come out.

Even if you made a mistake in a heated moment, Blank Law will still fight for your rights and help you realize the best possible outcome. If necessary, we will negotiate a plea bargain deal that benefits you and may help you avoid jail time.

Blank Law is your most-trusted resource to help you beat domestic violence charges in East Lansing. Call TODAY for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

The Best Domestic Violence Lawyers in East Lansing

Because so many different actions can be prosecuted as domestic violence, you need a defense attorney with extensive experience handling these kinds of cases.

For more than 20 years, Nicole Blank Becker has argued domestic violence cases for both sides of the law – as a Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor and as a private criminal defense attorney. While with District Attorney’s Office, Nicole was the Chief of the Child Abuse and  Sex Crimes Units.

Equally impressive, Christopher Coyle was an Assistant Prosecutor for Wayne County for 30-plus years, including promotion to Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Unit.

That is over 50 years of specialized experience in handling cases just like yours that should be working for your best interests. For your FREE CASE EVALUATION, Contact Blank Law TODAY.

Where Are East Lansing Domestic Violence Cases Tried?

Misdemeanors

The 54th District Court Division B serves the City of East Lansing.

54B District Court

101 Linden Street

East Lansing, MI 48823

(517) 351-7000

Felonies

30th Judicial Circuit Court

(Two Locations)

Veterans Memorial Courthouse

426 S. Walnut Street

Lansing, MI 48933

(517) 483-6500

(2nd and 3rd Floors)

 

Ingham County Courthouse

315 S. Jefferson

Mason, MI 48854

(3rd Floor)

(517) 483-6500

East Lansing Domestic Violence Judges

54B District Court

There are two judges presiding over the 54B District Court in East Lansing.

Honorable Molly E. Hennessey Greenwalt (Chief Judge)

Honorable Lisa L. Babcock

30th Judicial Circuit Court

There are four judges presiding over the trial division at the 30th Circuit Court in Lansing.

 

Honorable Joyce Draganchuk (Chief Circuit Judge)

Honorable Rosemarie Aquilina

Honorable James Jamo

Honorable Wanda Stokes (Mason)

Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney

John Dewayne

303 W. Kalamazoo Street, 4R

Lansing, MI 48933

(517) 483-6272

Domestic Violence Unit

(517) 483-6108

54B District Court and 30th Circuit Court Parking

Parking for the 54B District Court in East Lansing is on the west and north sides of the building.

The 30th Circuit Court in Lansing has  multiple parking lots to the north, south, and west.

Parking for the Ingham County Courthouse in Mason is directly to the west and east of the courthouse.

 

Nearby Restaurants

East Lansing

Most of your lunch options in East Lansing are conveniently located along Grand River Avenue.

Beggar’s Banquet

213 Abbot Road

(517) 351-4540

*****

Black Cat Bistro

115 Albert Avenue

(517) 580-3821

*****

Charlie Kang’s

127 E. Grand River Avenue

(517) 332-4696

*****

Capo’s Cheesesteak Hoagies and Grill

219 E. Grand River Avenue

(517) 574-5835

*****

Jolly Pumpkin

218 Albert Street

(517) 858-2100

*****

(Near the 30th Circuit Court)

Aladdin’s

208 S. Washington Square

(517) 346-8700

*****

Kelly’s Downtown Irish Pub & Restaurant

220 S. Washington Square

(517) 708-2007

*****

Grand Traverse Pie Company

200 S. Washington Square

(517) 316-0900

Mason

The majority of the lunch offerings in Mason are of the fast food variety, especially to the southeast, along Cedar Street – Big Boy, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and A & W, among others. But there are local restaurants for lunch or a victory meal:

Mason Depot Diner

111 N. Mason Street

(517) 676-3344

*****

Asian Taste

132 S. Cedar Street

(517) 676-8500

*****

Barnhill’s Westside Deli

204 N. Cedar Street

(517) 676-9191