Violent Crimes

Michigan Assault & Violent Crimes Defense Attorney

Former Police Officer. Proven Trial Lawyer. Relentless Defender.

Few charges carry the stigma and severity of a violent-crime accusation. Words like assault, battery, domestic violence, or homicide strike fear into defendants and families alike. Prosecutors and judges treat these cases differently — and public opinion often presumes guilt before the first piece of evidence is presented.

At Brown & Associates Legal Services, attorney Christopher Brown uses his law-enforcement background to level the playing field. As a former police officer and seasoned trial attorney, he understands exactly how these cases are investigated, charged, and proven — and more importantly, how to dismantle them from the inside out.

Understanding Michigan’s Approach to Violent Crimes

Michigan law classifies “violent crimes” as offenses involving force, threat, or injury to another person. While many prosecutors advocate rehabilitation for non-violent offenders, they often pursue the harshest possible penalties for violent offenses — even when the evidence is questionable or the act was defensive.

Attorney Brown’s insider knowledge of police procedure allows him to identify mistakes others overlook — improper evidence collection, flawed witness statements, or exaggerated allegations. His approach focuses on exposing those weaknesses early, before they define the case.

Self-Defense and Michigan’s “Stand Your Ground” Law

Under Michigan law, you have the right to protect yourself when faced with an imminent threat. You may use reasonable force — including deadly force in some cases — if you honestly and reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault.

Michigan’s Stand Your Ground law removes the old “duty to retreat.” That means you do not have to run away before defending yourself. However, the level of force must be proportionate to the threat.

Because every situation is unique, a successful self-defense claim requires a deep factual analysis — something Attorney Brown excels at after years of investigating use-of-force incidents from both sides of the badge.

What If the Victim Doesn’t Want to Press Charges?

In Michigan, it’s the prosecutor, not the victim, who decides whether to file or continue criminal charges. Even if the alleged victim wants the case dismissed, prosecutors often pursue it anyway — particularly in domestic-violence situations.

However, an uncooperative or inconsistent witness can make a case difficult to prove. Attorney Brown understands how prosecutors handle reluctant witnesses and uses that knowledge to protect his clients’ rights and secure dismissals whenever possible.

Common Assault and Violent-Crime Charges in Michigan

Assault and Battery

Assault involves either an attempted battery or an act that causes someone to reasonably fear immediate harm.
Battery is any forceful, violent, or offensive touching.

In practice, prosecutors often charge both together as “assault and battery.” Even minor incidents can result in serious consequences if handled incorrectly. Attorney Brown thoroughly reviews police reports, body-cam footage, and witness statements to expose inconsistencies and protect your record.

Common assault-related offenses include:

• Simple Assault or Domestic Assault
• Aggravated Assault (intent to cause serious injury)
• Felonious Assault (assault with a dangerous weapon)
• Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm
• Assault with Intent to Murder or Rob

Domestic Violence

Domestic-violence charges often arise from emotional or heated situations. Under Michigan law, you may be charged if the accuser is a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, co-parent, or household member.

Even if the accuser recants, prosecutors can move forward. Fortunately, Michigan law allows for first-offense deferral programs that may prevent a conviction and keep your record clean. Attorney Brown frequently helps clients qualify for these programs and avoid the lifelong stigma of a domestic-violence record.

Stalking and Harassment

Michigan’s stalking statute is broad and often misapplied. “Unconsented contact” that causes fear or intimidation can qualify as stalking, and the charge can be upgraded to aggravated stalking if it violates a court order or includes a threat.

Attorney Brown understands how easily text messages, social-media activity, or misunderstandings can escalate into criminal charges. His law-enforcement insight is invaluable in distinguishing genuine threats from lawful communication.

Kidnapping

Kidnapping under MCL 750.349 is one of Michigan’s most serious offenses, carrying up to life in prison. The law covers a wide range of conduct — not just abduction for ransom. Merely “restraining” another person while committing certain acts can trigger a kidnapping charge.

Attorney Brown’s investigative background helps reveal when prosecutors overreach or exaggerate restraint claims, especially in cases overlapping with alleged assault or sexual-offense charges.

Felony Firearm

Michigan imposes a mandatory two-year consecutive prison term for possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. This means that any sentence for the underlying offense begins after the firearm sentence ends.

Because of this severe penalty, challenging the firearm allegation itself can be one of the most effective defense strategies. Attorney Brown’s understanding of firearm evidence and police-procedure violations is critical in these cases.

Gang-Related Offenses

Committing a felony while associated with a gang carries an additional felony charge with potential 20-year penalties — often stacked consecutively to other sentences. Brown uses his police experience to analyze gang-allegation evidence and dismantle weak or speculative claims.

Arson

Arson involves the intentional burning of property, but determining intent is complex. Michigan law divides arson into several degrees based on damage, injury, and intent. Modern fire-investigation science has evolved significantly, and Brown works with expert investigators to prove when a fire was accidental rather than criminal.

Homicide and Murder

Homicide is the most serious charge under Michigan law, ranging from first-degree premeditated murder (mandatory life) to manslaughter and negligent homicide. These cases demand immediate, strategic defense.

As a former police officer, Christopher Brown has investigated and defended homicide cases from both sides — giving him an unparalleled understanding of crime-scene forensics, interrogation practices, and investigative bias.

Why Choose Brown & Associates?

• Former Police Officer Insight – Brown knows how investigators think, and he uses that to your advantage.
• Trial-Tested Experience – Decades of courtroom defense in Metro Detroit and across Michigan.
• Aggressive, Tactical Defense – Every move designed to expose weaknesses and protect your freedom.
• Personalized Strategy – Direct attorney access and hands-on case management.

Contact a Michigan Violent-Crimes Defense Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been charged with assault, domestic violence, or any violent crime, your defense starts now. Early intervention can change the outcome of your case.

Call Brown & Associates Legal Services at (248) 468-1468 or contact us online for a confidential consultation with Attorney Christopher Brown — a former police officer who knows how to fight for your rights and your future.