Michigan Criminal Attorneys Blog
According to Michigan compiled law 750.84 the offense of Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm less than Murder (also known as assault GBH) is a felony offense that carries a potential punishment of up to 10 years in prison, or a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. It is a very serious offense that often results in a prison sentence.
What actually constitutes Assault GBH? According to People v. Stevens, 306 Mich App 620 (2014) n order to be convicted of this offense at trial, the prosecution must prove 2 elements beyond a reasonable doubt: (1) an attempt or threat with force or violence to do corporal harm to another (an assault), and (2) an intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.
What does great bodily harm mean? The element of intent to do great bodily harm is defined by People v. Brown, 267 Mich App 141 (2005) as an intent to do serious injury of an aggravated nature. According to Michigan Criminal Jury Instruction 17.7 great bodily harm means any physical injury that could seriously harm the health or a function of the body.