Lansing Assault Defense Lawyers

If you’re facing assault charges in Lansing, Michigan, the consequences can feel crushing. A conviction could mean jail time, heavy fines, a permanent criminal record, and lasting damage to your career and relationships. But a charge is not a conviction, and with the right Lansing assault defense lawyers behind you, there are real options for fighting back.

At Ben Hall Law, we defend Lansing residents against all types of assault charges, from simple misdemeanors to serious felonies, and we build every case with one goal: protecting your future.

Why Choose Ben Hall Law for Your Lansing Assault Defense?

Most criminal defense attorneys learned how the justice system works from a textbook. Ben Hall learned it from inside a patrol car, behind the prosecutor’s desk, and in the Marine Corps.

Before becoming a defense attorney, Ben Hall served as a Michigan police officer and then as a prosecutor. That means we know how law enforcement builds assault cases from the ground up. We know what officers look for, how they write their reports, and what they frequently leave out. We also know how prosecutors decide which charges to bring and which deals to offer.

That insider knowledge gives our clients a real advantage:

• We spot weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that other attorneys miss, including gaps in police reports, inconsistent witness statements, and procedural mistakes.
• We anticipate the prosecution’s strategy because we’ve been on the other side of these cases before.
• We prepare every case as though it’s going to trial, because that’s how you get the best possible outcome, whether the case settles or goes before a jury.

When the full weight of the government is pressing down on you, we believe you deserve a team that fights like your life depends on it. That’s the standard we hold ourselves to in every single case.

How Assault Charges Can Affect Your Life

An assault charge in Lansing doesn’t just threaten your freedom in the short term. Even after the case is resolved, the ripple effects of a conviction can follow you for years.

• Criminal record: A conviction stays on your record and shows up on background checks, making it harder to find housing, get hired, or pursue educational opportunities.
• Employment consequences: Many employers in the greater Lansing area, including those at Michigan State University, state government agencies, and area hospitals, run background checks. A violent crime on your record can disqualify you from jobs you’re otherwise perfectly qualified for.
• Professional licenses: If you hold a professional license, whether in healthcare, education, law, or another field, an assault conviction can trigger a review or revocation of that license.
• Gun rights: A felony assault conviction means losing your right to own or possess firearms under both Michigan and federal law.
• Family and custody matters: In custody disputes, a history of assault charges can significantly affect a judge’s decisions about parenting time and custody arrangements.
• Immigration consequences: For non-citizens, an assault conviction, especially a felony, can lead to deportation, denial of naturalization, or other immigration consequences.

The stakes are high, and that’s exactly why it’s so important to take these charges seriously from the very beginning. An experienced Lansing assault defense attorney can make the difference between a conviction that follows you for decades and a resolution that lets you move forward.

Understanding whether you could lose your job or professional license after a criminal conviction is an important part of assessing what’s at stake in your case.

Understanding Assault Charges in Michigan

Michigan law treats assault cases differently depending on the circumstances involved. The word “assault” actually covers a wide range of charges, from relatively minor offenses to very serious felonies. Understanding what you’re up against is the first step toward building a strong defense.

• Simple Assault and Battery is the most common charge. Under MCL 750.81, assault or assault and battery without a weapon is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and fines up to $500. It’s worth noting that in Michigan, you can be charged with assault even if you never actually touched anyone. An attempt to cause physical harm, or even making someone reasonably fear that you were about to, can be enough.
• Aggravated Assault involves causing serious or aggravated injury without a weapon. Under MCL 750.81a, this is still classified as a misdemeanor, but it carries stiffer penalties: up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000.
• Felonious Assault is where the stakes jump significantly. Under MCL 750.82, using a dangerous weapon to assault someone, even without intending to kill or cause great bodily harm, is a felony. A conviction can mean up to four years in prison and fines up to $2,000. And the definition of “dangerous weapon” is broad. It’s not limited to guns and knives. Courts have found that everyday objects can qualify if they’re used in a threatening way.
• Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm is one of the more serious charges. Under MCL 750.84, this is a felony carrying up to 10 years in prison and $5,000 in fines. The key factor here is intent. Prosecutors must prove that you specifically intended to cause serious harm.
• Domestic Assault applies when the alleged incident involves a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, someone you share a child with, or a household member. Domestic assault charges often carry additional consequences, including protective orders and impacts on custody proceedings.

Each of these charges requires a different defense approach, and the specific facts of your situation matter enormously. That’s why it’s so important to work with a defense team that understands the full range of Michigan assault law and can identify the best path forward for your case.

Defending Against False and Exaggerated Accusations

One of the most frustrating things about assault charges is that the person who gets arrested isn’t always the person who started the conflict. Police officers responding to a chaotic scene often have limited information. They may arrest everyone involved, or they may only hear one side of the story before making an arrest.

We see it regularly in our Lansing cases. A heated argument leads to a 911 call, and by the time officers arrive, the caller’s version of events becomes the official story. The other person’s perspective may never make it into the police report.

False and exaggerated accusations come up frequently in situations involving:

• Custody disputes, where one parent uses an assault allegation to gain leverage in family court.
• Breakups and divorces, where emotions run high and accusations become a weapon.
• Neighbor or personal conflicts, where a long-running disagreement boils over into a call to the police.
• Group altercations, where witnesses point fingers at the wrong person or exaggerate what they saw.

These cases require careful, detailed investigation. We look for surveillance footage, inconsistencies in the accuser’s statements, witness testimony that contradicts the police report, and any other evidence that tells the real story. When someone’s account doesn’t add up, we make sure the court knows it.

What Happens After an Assault Arrest in Lansing

If you’ve recently been arrested on an assault charge, you’re probably wondering what comes next. The criminal process in Ingham County follows a general sequence, and knowing what to expect can help reduce some of the uncertainty.

• Arraignment. This is your first court appearance, usually within 24 to 48 hours of your arrest. The judge will formally read the charges against you, set bond conditions, and may issue a no-contact order with the alleged accuser. Having an assault defense attorney in Lansing at this stage can make a meaningful difference in the bond conditions you receive.
• Pretrial conferences. After the arraignment, your attorney and the prosecutor will begin discussing the case. This is where a significant amount of negotiation happens. Charges may be reduced, evidence may be challenged, and in some cases, dismissals can be secured before the case ever reaches trial.
• Preliminary examination (felony cases). If you’ve been charged with a felony, such as felonious assault or assault with intent to do great bodily harm, the prosecution must show at a preliminary hearing that there is enough evidence to send the case to circuit court. This hearing is an important opportunity for your defense attorney to challenge the evidence and cross-examine witnesses early in the process.
• Trial. If the case doesn’t resolve through negotiation, it goes to trial. At trial, the prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Our team prepares for trial from day one, because that preparation is what drives better outcomes at every stage, whether the case settles or goes before a jury.

Throughout this process, your Lansing assault defense attorney is your advocate, your advisor, and your voice in the courtroom. The earlier you have legal representation, the more opportunities there are to protect your rights at each step. Understanding what happens in the first 72 hours after a Michigan arrest can help you make better decisions right away.

How Our Lansing Assault Defense Lawyers Can Help You

When you bring your case to Ben Hall Law, we don’t just show up in court and hope for the best. We work your case hard, from day one, using a process designed to give you every possible advantage.

Thorough Investigation

We dig into every piece of evidence: police reports, body cam and surveillance footage, witness statements, 911 call recordings, and any other available evidence. We look for what the prosecution got right, and more importantly, what they got wrong or left out entirely.

Identifying the Right Defense Strategy

Every assault case is different, and cookie-cutter defenses don’t work. Depending on your situation, we may pursue defenses such as:

• Self-defense or defense of others
• Lack of intent, which is especially critical in felony cases where intent is an element the prosecution must prove
• False allegations or mistaken identity
• Insufficient evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt
• Constitutional violations, such as unlawful arrest or failure to read Miranda rights

We choose the strategy that fits your facts, your goals, and your life.

Aggressive Negotiation

Not every case needs to go to trial, but every case needs to be prepared as if it will. When prosecutors know we’re ready for the courtroom, they’re more willing to offer favorable plea agreements, reduced charges, or even dismissals.

Trial-Ready Preparation

If the prosecution refuses to offer a fair resolution, we take your case to trial. Our background in law enforcement and prosecution gives us unique insight into how the state presents its case, and that means we know exactly where to push back.

Can Assault Charges Be Expunged in Michigan?

Michigan’s expanded expungement laws have given many people a real second chance, and cleaning up a criminal record is one of the core services we provide at Ben Hall Law.

Depending on the type of conviction and your overall criminal history, it may be possible to have an assault conviction set aside and removed from your public record. Michigan law allows for the expungement of certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after a waiting period has passed, and recent changes to the law have made more people eligible than ever before.

Expungement can open doors that a criminal record closed:

• Employment: Many background checks will no longer show the conviction, removing a major barrier to getting hired.
• Housing: Landlords who run background checks won’t see the expunged offense.
• Professional licensing: An expunged conviction may no longer be held against you in licensing decisions.
• Peace of mind: Moving forward without a public record of a past mistake can make a meaningful difference in your daily life.

Not every conviction qualifies, and the process involves specific requirements and timelines. But it’s worth knowing that a conviction today doesn’t have to define you permanently. Whether you’re dealing with a current assault charge or looking to clean up an old conviction, we can walk you through your options and help you understand what’s possible. Learn more about our expungement services and whether you may qualify.

FAQs for Lansing Assault Defense Lawyers

Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from people facing assault charges in the Lansing area.

What is the difference between assault and battery in Michigan?

Assault is an attempt or threat to cause physical harm to someone, even without any actual physical contact. Battery involves actual offensive or harmful touching. In practice, the two are often charged together as “assault and battery,” but you can face assault charges even if you never touched anyone.

Can I be charged with assault if the other person hit me first?

Yes. Michigan police often arrest both parties or may arrest the person they believe was the primary aggressor based on limited information at the scene. However, self-defense is a recognized legal defense. If you used reasonable force to protect yourself, your attorney can present that argument in your case.

What happens if the alleged accuser wants to drop the charges?

In Michigan, the decision to pursue or drop criminal charges belongs to the prosecutor, not the alleged accuser. Even if the other person doesn’t want to move forward, the prosecutor can still choose to pursue the case. That said, an uncooperative witness can significantly affect the strength of the prosecution’s case, and your attorney can use that as leverage.

Will I go to jail for a first-time assault charge?

It depends on the type of charge and the circumstances. For a first-time simple assault and battery, jail time is possible but not automatic. Many first-time offenders are able to avoid incarceration through plea negotiations, diversion programs, or a strong defense. Felony assault charges carry more serious potential penalties, which makes experienced legal representation even more critical.

What should I do if I’ve been falsely accused of assault?

False accusations happen more often than many people realize. If you’ve been wrongly accused, the most important thing you can do is contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Do not try to resolve the situation on your own or confront the accuser. Your attorney can begin gathering evidence, identifying witnesses, and building a defense that protects your rights.

Talk to a Lansing Assault Defense Lawyer Today

An assault charge doesn’t have to define your future. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a serious felony, the team at Ben Hall Law is ready to stand in your corner and fight for the best possible outcome.

We offer free consultations, and we’ll give you an honest assessment of your case from the very first conversation. We know how stressful this time can be, and we’re here to walk you through every step of the process.

Call Ben Hall Law today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. The sooner we get started, the more options we have to protect your rights, your record, and your future.