Assault

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Assault in Michigan is an attempt to cause physical injury to another person – for instance, attempting to strike someone with a hand or object. Assault also is any intentional unlawful act or threat of action, such as raising a fist or brandishing a weapon. If the offender appears to have the ability to carry out the threat and the action reasonably causes a person to feel afraid of impending violence, the act is an assault.

(Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 750.81.)

Battery in Michigan is the intentional infliction of violence or force against another person, such as punching another person or hitting someone with an object.

(Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 750.81.)

Michigan law categorizes these crimes as assault and “assault and battery” because the law views battery as the completion of a violent process, a threat or attempt to injure – assault – that ends in contact – a battery.

Assault or battery committed without a dangerous weapon is a misdemeanor, except in the case of domestic violence and certain victims, such as a police officer or emergency medical personnel. Assault and battery that results in serious injury is aggravated assault and battery and is punishable by more jail time, but still is a misdemeanor.

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