As a former Michigan prosecutor and current defense attorney, I've always found assault cases to be one of the most difficult cases to handle. While most assaults are misdemeanors, this type of offense is usually one of the most delicate type of crimes.
Seems like a prosecutor would be "tougher" on a felony like a Michigan drug case, but the assault case ends up being A LOT tougher to negotiate a good outcome. In an assault case, there is a true "victim"; someone was physically injured or assaulted by the person charged. There could be injuries and extensive physiological harm; there could also be restitution involved. You could of course have a series of defenses where you would want to challenge the charges. The most common defense to assault in Michigan is self defense.
If you're charged with an assault crime, that is not Michigan domestic violence, the victim will have more of a say on the direction of the case, but don't expect much of a plea offer. If the charges are domestic violence, the prosecutor will take that decision out of the hands of the victim, because the prosecutor does not trust the judgment of the victim who may still love the person charged.
If the assault is aggravated (injury requiring medical assistance) or felonious assault (involving a dangerous weapon) or involving a serious injury, the waters only get more difficult to navigate. It might be possible to be charged with multiple assault crimes where a prosecutor may offer to dismiss some charges for a plea to other charges.
Seems like a prosecutor would be "tougher" on a felony like a Michigan drug case, but the assault case ends up being A LOT tougher to negotiate a good outcome. In an assault case, there is a true "victim"; someone was physically injured or assaulted by the person charged. There could be injuries and extensive physiological harm; there could also be restitution involved. You could of course have a series of defenses where you would want to challenge the charges. The most common defense to assault in Michigan is self defense.
If you're charged with an assault crime, that is not Michigan domestic violence, the victim will have more of a say on the direction of the case, but don't expect much of a plea offer. If the charges are domestic violence, the prosecutor will take that decision out of the hands of the victim, because the prosecutor does not trust the judgment of the victim who may still love the person charged.
If the assault is aggravated (injury requiring medical assistance) or felonious assault (involving a dangerous weapon) or involving a serious injury, the waters only get more difficult to navigate. It might be possible to be charged with multiple assault crimes where a prosecutor may offer to dismiss some charges for a plea to other charges.
