He is a wonderful lawyer. I can’t recommend him enough
Joe handled my case extremely well and got me the best possible result for my case. He is very integrated into the Ann Arbor legal system. I would recommend his services to anyone in need of an attorney.
For anyone needing a top-notch criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw County, Joe Simon is the best choice. His team is fantastic, and I highly recommend them!
Excellent Attorney
When you use force to protect yourself or another person from harm, Michigan law recognizes your right to do so—but only under specific circumstances. If you’ve been arrested or charged with assault, battery, or any violent crime after defending yourself or someone else, the experienced team at Law Offices of Joseph A. Simon, PLLC is here to protect your rights and prove your innocence.
With over 35 years of criminal defense experience and hundreds of trials across Michigan, Joseph A. Simon understands the nuances of self-defense law and knows how to build compelling arguments that demonstrate you acted lawfully and within your rights.
Michigan law recognizes both traditional self-defense and the use of force to defend others. Under Michigan Penal Code §780.981, you have the legal right to use force—including deadly force in certain circumstances—if you reasonably believe it is necessary to protect yourself or another person from immediate harm.
However, the critical word here is “reasonable.” Prosecutors will argue that your response was excessive or unwarranted. They’ll claim you initiated the confrontation or had the opportunity to retreat. Our job is to demonstrate that your actions were proportional to the threat you faced and that you had legitimate reason to believe force was necessary in that moment.
Self-defense cases are rarely straightforward. Witness accounts conflict. Video evidence can be interpreted multiple ways. And without an experienced attorney who understands how to investigate these claims thoroughly and present them persuasively to a jury, you risk conviction for a crime you committed in self-defense.
At Law Offices of Joseph A. Simon, PLLC, we treat every self-defense claim with the seriousness it deserves. We begin by conducting an intensive investigation into what actually happened. We interview witnesses, obtain video surveillance footage, review police reports for inconsistencies, and gather medical records documenting your injuries—evidence that often supports your account of events.
We also work with expert witnesses when necessary, including use-of-force specialists and medical professionals who can testify about the severity of injuries and the reasonableness of your defensive response. We examine whether you had a duty to retreat (Michigan law does not require retreat in your own home, vehicle, or workplace), whether de-escalation was possible, and whether the other party was the initial aggressor.
Our strategy is built on one fundamental principle: forcing the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you did not act in self-defense. We challenge their evidence, expose weaknesses in their case, and present a coherent narrative that demonstrates your actions were lawful and justified.
From the moment you contact our firm, you’ll work directly with Joseph A. Simon or one of our skilled defense attorneys. We begin with a free, confidential consultation where we listen to your account of what happened, answer your questions, and explain the legal landscape you’re facing.
Throughout your case, we maintain transparent communication. You’ll understand the strengths and weaknesses of your position, the realistic outcomes you might achieve, and the strategy we’re pursuing. We prepare you for trial while simultaneously exploring negotiated resolutions, should that be in your best interest.
We approach self-defense cases with the understanding that you may face serious felony charges—assault with intent to cause great bodily harm, aggravated assault, or even homicide charges. These are not cases to handle alone or with an inexperienced attorney. They require the strategic thinking, courtroom presence, and legal knowledge that Joseph A. Simon brings to every case.
If you exercised your legal right to defend yourself or protect another person and now face criminal charges, don’t face the system alone. Contact Law Offices of Joseph A. Simon, PLLC for a free confidential consultation. Let us review your case, explain your options, and fight aggressively to protect your freedom and your future.
If you’re facing charges after a self-defense incident, don’t navigate the legal system alone. Contact Law Offices of Joseph A. Simon, PLLC today at (734) 887-6200 for aggressive representation.
Michigan law allows individuals to use reasonable force to protect themselves from imminent harm. Self-defense may justify using force proportional to the threat, including deadly force if there is reasonable belief of imminent death or serious bodily injury. The key factors are whether the force was necessary and reasonable under the circumstances.
Yes, you can still be arrested and charged even if you acted in self-defense. Law enforcement may not immediately recognize self-defense circumstances. That’s why having skilled legal representation is critical to establish your self-defense claim and protect your rights throughout the criminal process.
Evidence supporting self-defense includes witness testimony, police reports, medical records documenting injuries, video footage, and expert analysis of the threat level. Your attorney will investigate the incident thoroughly, interview witnesses, and build a compelling defense demonstrating you acted reasonably to protect yourself from immediate danger.
