Lansing Criminal Defense Blog

A star football player for the University of Michigan was acquitted last month of three criminal charges including domestic violence, assault and illegal entry. The player, who had been suspended from the team pending the outcome of the case, was reinstated to the team earlier this month.

The player had been offered a potential plea bargain in the case which would have included the player pleading guilty to the domestic violence charge. However, the player rejected the deal because Michigan's football program has a prohibition on having players on the team who have committed "assaultive behavior."

A teen and his friend were accused of attacking his parents with a baseball bat in his Farmington Hills home last week Monday. The attack resulted in the death of his father and the beating of his mother and brother by baseball bat. Both teens were charged with first-degree premeditated murder and first-degree felony murder for the death of his father. The teens were charged with one count of armed robbery and two counts of assault with intent to commit murder for the beating of his mother and brother.

Records report that both teens are currently on probation for drug charges. Police believe the attack was in result of a botched robbery. At the arraignment, bail was denied. Both teens pled not guilty.

First degree murder is a felony punishable by life imprisonment; whether premeditated or during the commission of a felony.

Armed robbery is a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or any term of years. If an aggravated assault or serious injury is inflicted by any person during the commission of the armed robbery, the person must be sentenced to imprisonment for at least two years.

Assault with intent to murder is a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or any number of years.

If your life is on the line, and you're facing charges that may result in you spending the rest of your life behind bars, it is imperative that you retain an experienced defense attorney who can protect your interests and present a solid defense.

In criminal law it is not unusual for someone to be punished for an unintended consequence of a criminal act.

A 31-year-old Grand Ledge man was arraigned on the charge of involuntary manslaughter last Wednesday for the death of a man resulting from an assault and battery that took place in downtown Lansing. The assault and battery took place early January 1, 2012 after the deceased was asked to leave a local pub because of an argument. After the assault and battery the victim slipped into a coma and later died on January 3, 2012.

A preliminary hearing determining whether the Grand Ledge man will stand for trial is set for April 20, 2012. A second man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in this case but has not been arraigned.

Assault and Battery is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to 93 days, and/or a fine up to $500.00.

Although a defendant may not have intended death or great bodily harm, blows to the victim's head or body leading to his unexpected death causes the defendant to be responsible for the result. This increases the misdemeanor (assault and battery) to a felony of involuntary manslaughter.

Manslaughter is a felony punishable by imprisonment up to 15 years, and/or a fine up to $7,500.00; whether voluntary or involuntary.

If you are charged with a criminal act or an unintended consequence of a criminal act, it is imperative to retain an experienced defense attorney who can protect your interests and present a solid defense.

A man from Lansing, Michigan, was arraigned earlier this week on multiple charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon, related to the alleged captivity of his ex-girlfriend. The woman accused the 31-year-old man of not letting her leave his house for three days.

The incident came about after the 21-year-old woman ended a relationship with the man. She had lived with him previously in his Lansing home and had asked him to pick her up so that she could retrieve some of her belongings from the house.