Felonious Assault
Felonious Assault Lawyer in Kalamazoo, MI
In Michigan, a misdemeanor assault charge may be elevated to a felonious assault charge if the event included the use of a dangerous weapon. Felonious assault is a serious criminal charge that can result in significant fines and prison time. Don’t face this criminal process without an experienced defense attorney.
Contact a felonious assault lawyer in Kalamazoo to protect yourself from these severe criminal charges. The defense team at Sharp & Associates Law Firm includes a former prosecutor and experienced criminal defense attorneys, so we understand what works in the courtroom and what doesn’t. Call us today at (269) 978-6560 to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Felonious Assault?
The severity of criminal assault charges may imply that you would need to cause someone great bodily harm for a prosecutor to charge you, but this is not the case. Assault charges do not require that you harm the victim. Assault is defined as the “attempt” to hurt, so you may face charges even if you did not touch the person pressing charges.
Using a dangerous weapon during an assault elevates the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony with significantly more severe penalties. A misdemeanor assault charge (without a weapon) may result in prison time up to 93 days, but the penalties for a felonious assault conviction (with a weapon) are much steeper.
If you have been charged with felonious assault or believe that you are under investigation, contact one of our felonious assault lawyers in Kalamazoo. We will provide you with an aggressive legal defense in an attempt to have the charges dropped, reduced, or dismissed.
What Is Considered a Dangerous Weapon?
If charges for assault with a deadly weapon occur when someone uses a dangerous weapon in an attempt to harm someone, what is a dangerous weapon? Michigan law considered many objects to be potentially dangerous weapons, and not all of them fit the typical profile of being sharp, heavy, or a firearm.
See below for a list of dangerous weapons. Some of them may seem obvious, but others may surprise you. This list is not exhaustive. It provides some examples of items both expected and unexpected.
- Firearms
- Knives or scissors
- Brass knuckles
- Bats or clubs
- Rocks
- Hammers and other heavy tools
- Ropes, cords, or chains
- Pillows or blankets
- Broken glass
If the object in question can be a dangerous weapon, charges may result even if causing harm is not its intended use. Under this definition, almost anything could be considered a dangerous weapon.
It is essential to understand that you can be charged with felonious assault even if you only brandished the weapon. For example, revealing that you have a gun to intimidate someone can be considered a felonious assault.
Criminal Penalties for Felonious Assault in Michigan
As already stated, penalties for felonious assault are much steeper than for a misdemeanor assault charge. A felonious assault conviction can result in prison time up to four years and up to $2,000 in fines.
These penalties might worsen if the assault occurred in a weapon-free zone, such as a school. Fines rise to a maximum of $6,000 in such circumstances. Sentencing may also include up to 150 community service hours.
The penalties for a felonious assault charge are life-altering, so protect your future by procuring an experienced legal defense team. You don’t want to jeopardize your case by making an avoidable mistake or missing a deadline, or simply because you don’t have the training to understand all procedural requirements.
The criminal defense lawyers at Sharp & Associates Law Firm have the experience and knowledge to defend your rights and your freedom.
Defenses for Felonious Assault
The proper defense depends on each case, but there are some general reasons why a judge may dismiss a felonious assault charge. One of the best known is self-defense, but there are also other possible defenses if you were acting:
- In the protection of others
- In the protection of property
- Without intent to harm
- Without a dangerous weapon
When considering your defense, it is crucial to give your attorney a detailed explanation of what happened. The more detail your defense team has, the stronger the case they can make to the court. Be honest and specific about the event in question.
If you trust our team of defense lawyers with your case, we will thoroughly investigate to determine the circumstances surrounding the event in question. If a witness or plaintiff is making false allegations or if anyone has violated your constitutional rights, we will find out to provide the strongest possible defense.
Talk to a Felonious Assault Lawyer in Kalamazoo
We will provide a well-rounded defense when you trust our felonious assault lawyers in Kalamazoo with your case. Contact us as soon as you suspect you are being investigated for felonious assault to allow our team to get started in the all-important pre-file stage before the state brings charges against you.
If you face charges already, it’s not too late to get our help. We will step in at whatever stage you need us. Understand that contacting a lawyer is not an admission of guilt. It is your right to have a defense attorney, and it is our pleasure to provide an experienced and aggressive defense.
Our team includes defense attorneys and a former prosecutor, so we understand both sides of the law in Michigan and use this to create suitable defense strategies.
If you’re facing felonious assault charges in west Michigan, let our criminal defense team help. Contact one of our felonious assault lawyers in Kalamazoo for a consultation. The initial consultation is free! Reach us via our website or call us at (269) 978-6560. We will guide you through the process and your options.