These are general answers about Michigan law, not advice about your situation. Each answer links to the statute, court rule or case it rests on. Last reviewed October 2026.
By Mitchell S. Bisson, Michigan attorney (P79807). Reviewed October 2026.
Michigan · 85 questions
Topics
- Assault, domestic violence and stalking18 questions
- Theft, fraud, robbery, burglary and arson28 questions
- Drug and marijuana charges14 questions
- Weapons, resisting arrest, sex offenses, child abuse and other charges25 questions
Start here
Start with these five
What is the penalty for simple assault or assault and battery in Michigan?
Under MCL 750.81(1), assault or assault and battery with no other punishment prescribed is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail or a fine of up to $500, or both. If the victim is a health professional or medical volunteer performing duties, the fine cap is $1,000, unless the defendant is a patient receiving treatment from the victim.
What are the penalty levels for shoplifting (retail fraud) in Michigan?
Retail fraud is graded by value. Third degree (under $200) is a misdemeanor with up to 93 days or a $500 fine. Second degree ($200 to under $1,000) is a misdemeanor with up to 1 year or $2,000. First degree ($1,000 or more) is a felony with up to 5 years or $10,000. Each tier also allows a fine of 3 times the value if that is greater.
What are the penalties for possessing drugs in Michigan?
Penalties under MCL 333.7403(2) depend on the drug and amount. Less than 50 grams of a schedule 1 or 2 narcotic or cocaine is a felony with up to 4 years. Larger amounts run up to 20 years (50 to under 450 grams), 30 years (450 to under 1,000), or life (1,000 grams or more). Methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy) carry up to 10 years. Other schedule 1 to 4 drugs, except marijuana, carry up to 2 years; schedule 5 drugs, LSD, and psilocybin up to 1 year. Marijuana possession is generally penalized under the adult-use act instead of as a 1-year misdemeanor (MCL 333.27965).
What is the penalty for resisting or obstructing a police officer in Michigan?
Under MCL 750.81d(1), assaulting, battering, wounding, resisting, obstructing, opposing, or endangering a person you know or have reason to know is performing official duties is a felony punishable by up to 2 years or a $2,000 fine. If the person needs medical attention the maximum is 4 years, for a serious impairment of a body function 15 years, and for a death 20 years.
What is the penalty for domestic violence in Michigan, and who counts as a domestic partner?
A first domestic violence conviction under MCL 750.81(2) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days or a fine of up to $500. It covers a spouse or former spouse, a person with whom you have or had a dating relationship, a person with whom you have a child in common, and a current or former household member.
Every question
All 85 questions, A to Z
- Can a first domestic violence charge be dismissed after probation in Michigan?
- Can a first drug possession charge be dismissed in Michigan?
- Can a first-time shoplifting charge be dismissed in Michigan?
- Can a home invasion charge be reduced in Michigan?
- Can a prior shoplifting conviction or several incidents raise a Michigan retail fraud charge to a felony?
- Can a resisting and obstructing charge be dismissed or reduced in Michigan?
- Can a retail fraud conviction be used against me later in a Michigan court?
- Can a stalking charge be dismissed, reduced or set aside later in Michigan?
- Can a store demand money from me for my child's shoplifting in Michigan?
- Can I be charged with a weapons crime in Michigan if the gun was not on me?
- Can I be charged with arson for burning my own property in Michigan?
- Can I be charged with drug possession if I call 911 for an overdose in Michigan?
- Can I be charged with drug possession in Michigan if the drugs were not on me?
- Can I be charged with home invasion in Michigan for going to someone's home despite a protection order or bond condition?
- Can I be charged with home invasion in Michigan if the door was unlocked or I did not break anything?
- Can I be charged with other crimes along with resisting and obstructing in Michigan, and can the sentences run back to back?
- Can I be convicted of resisting and obstructing if the police acted unlawfully, such as entering my home without a warrant?
- Can I claim self-defense to an assault charge in Michigan?
- Can I own a gun after a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction in Michigan?
- Can I use force to protect someone else in Michigan?
- Can I use self-defense on a Michigan weapons charge?
- Can shoplifting become robbery in Michigan if I push or threaten someone while leaving?
- Can the alleged victim drop an assault charge in Michigan?
- Can the prosecutor use past incidents against me in a Michigan domestic violence case?
- Do I have to tell a police officer I am carrying a concealed pistol in Michigan?
- Do I need a lawyer for a drug possession charge in Michigan?
- Do I need a lawyer if I am charged with misdemeanor domestic violence in Michigan?
- Does a medical marijuana card protect me from a drug charge in Michigan?
- Does a prior drug conviction increase the penalty in Michigan?
- Does an expunged conviction still bar me from owning a gun in Michigan?
- Does Michigan law allow a parent to discipline a child without it being child abuse?
- How do I get a Michigan PPO against me changed or ended?
- How much can a store demand for shoplifting in Michigan?
- How much marijuana can an adult legally possess in Michigan?
- Is entering a garage or shed the same as home invasion in Michigan?
- Is entrapment a defense to a drug charge in Michigan?
- Is it illegal to have sex with a 15-year-old in Michigan if they agree?
- Is selling marijuana a felony in Michigan even though adult use is legal?
- Should I talk to store security or police about a shoplifting accusation in Michigan?
- Should I talk to the police about a gun found in my car in Michigan?
- Should I talk to the police after a resisting and obstructing arrest in Michigan?
- What are first-degree and second-degree arson in Michigan?
- What are the degrees of child abuse in Michigan and the penalties?
- What are the degrees of home invasion in Michigan and the penalties?
- What are the four degrees of criminal sexual conduct in Michigan and their penalties?
- What are the penalties for delivering or possessing drugs with intent to deliver in Michigan?
- What are the penalties for embezzlement in Michigan?
- What are the penalties for larceny in Michigan by dollar amount?
- What are the penalties for possessing drugs in Michigan?
- What are the penalty levels for shoplifting (retail fraud) in Michigan?
- What are third-degree and fourth-degree arson in Michigan?
- What happens if a person under 21 is caught with marijuana in Michigan?
- What happens if I am caught with drugs near a school or park in Michigan?
- What if a Michigan store detained me and treated me badly?
- What if the officer says I hurt them in a Michigan resisting and obstructing case?
- What is aggravated assault in Michigan?
- What is carjacking under Michigan law and what is the penalty?
- What is disorderly conduct in Michigan and what is the penalty?
- What is false pretenses and how is it punished in Michigan?
- What is felonious assault in Michigan and what is the maximum sentence?
- What is felony firearm in Michigan and is the sentence mandatory?
- What is organized retail crime in Michigan?
- What is stalking under Michigan law and what is the penalty?
- What is the difference between armed robbery and unarmed robbery in Michigan?
- What is the difference between embezzlement and larceny in Michigan?
- What is the difference between retail fraud and larceny in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for assault with intent to do great bodily harm or strangulation in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for breaking and entering a building in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for domestic violence in Michigan, and who counts as a domestic partner?
- What is the penalty for felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for forgery or uttering and publishing in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for identity theft in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for minor in possession of alcohol in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for resisting or obstructing a police officer in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for simple assault or assault and battery in Michigan?
- What is the penalty for trespassing in Michigan?
- What is the penalty if an adult has more than the legal amount of marijuana in Michigan?
- What is the sentence for first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Michigan?
- What makes stalking aggravated stalking in Michigan?
- What must the prosecutor prove for assault with intent to do great bodily harm in Michigan?
- When can a person with a felony conviction lawfully possess a firearm in Michigan?
- When does domestic violence become a felony in Michigan?
- Where is a concealed pistol license holder not allowed to carry in Michigan?
- Who counts as an officer under Michigan's resisting and obstructing law, and what counts as obstructing?
Questions about a Michigan matter?
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Law Offices of Mitchell S. Bisson 2828 Kraft Ave SE, Suite 295 Grand Rapids, MI 49512 (616) 213-3327 | MBisson@BissonLegal.com
This page provides general information about Michigan law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.