When a young person is accused of breaking the law, the stakes are uniquely high. A single misstep can follow a minor for years, affecting their school opportunities, scholarships, employment, driving privileges, and immigration status. At Grabel & Associates, we treat juvenile cases with the urgency and care they deserve. We know the judges and courts in Detroit, how Wayne County prosecutors evaluate juvenile cases, and how to protect your child’s record, freedom, and future. Our team of experienced juvenile defense lawyers in Detroit is available 24 hours a day to answer questions and take immediate action. Your family will never have to navigate the system alone.
As part of our broader Detroit criminal defense practice, we apply proven strategies from complex felony and misdemeanor cases to protect minors facing charges in juvenile court. This experience allows us to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case early and pursue resolutions that safeguard your child’s education, record, and future opportunities.
What Happens When a Juvenile Is Charged with a Crime in Detroit?In Michigan, most cases involving individuals younger than 18 years old are handled in the Family Division of the Third Judicial Circuit Court in Detroit. A case typically begins when the police or a school resource officer refers a matter to the prosecutor or directly to the court. A preliminary inquiry may be used to decide whether a petition should be filed. If a petition is authorized, the Family Division will schedule hearings, including a detention hearing, pretrial conferences, and either an adjudication trial or a plea proceeding.
Juvenile adjudication is not the same as an adult criminal conviction, but the consequences are still serious and can impact a person’s life forever. The Family Division focuses on accountability and rehabilitation, which means there are options for treatment, services, and community-based resolutions. Understanding which track is best for your child at the very first stage can make all the difference, which is why having a skilled Detroit juvenile defense lawyer is critical.
Understanding Juvenile Diversion in Detroit and Wayne CountyOne of the earliest and most important decisions in a juvenile case is whether it can be resolved without a formal adjudication. In some situations, a case can be diverted out of the court process or placed on the court’s consent calendar.
With consent calendar placement, the young person agrees to complete a plan that may include counseling, education, community service, restitution, or other individualized terms. If the plan is completed, the petition may be dismissed, thereby protecting the child’s public record. An experienced juvenile defense attorney in Detroit can often help negotiate these alternatives early in the process, increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome and minimizing the long-term impact on your child’s future.
When a consent calendar or diversion is unavailable, a case proceeds on the formal calendar, where the court holds adjudication and disposition hearings similar to trial and sentencing in adult cases. We work quickly to present the correct information to the prosecutor and the court, and to show why an informal resolution is appropriate whenever possible.
What Does It Mean When a Prosecutor Seeks Adult Designation in Michigan?Although juvenile courts are designed for individuals under 18, some serious allegations can be designated so that minors are tried in the same manner as adults, or a prosecutor can seek an automatic waiver for specified violent offenses when certain age and offense criteria are met. In these situations, the sentencing exposure changes significantly, and the case may be transferred to adult proceedings. There are still tools to protect a young client, including blended or deferred sentencing structures that keep rehabilitation at the forefront. Our attorneys have extensive experience fighting designations and waivers, challenging the prosecutor’s evidence, presenting mitigation evidence, and safeguarding a child’s constitutional rights throughout the process. A skilled Detroit juvenile defense lawyer can make a critical difference in protecting both the immediate and long-term future of a young defendant.
What Rights Does Your Child Have in a Detroit Juvenile Investigation?Minors have the same fundamental constitutional protections as adults. Your child has the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, the right to challenge the legality of any search or seizure, and the right to a fair hearing before an impartial judge. Confessions and statements are closely scrutinized in juvenile cases, and courts consider factors such as age, maturity, the presence of a parent or guardian, and whether the young person understood the consequences of speaking to authorities.
If police or school officials questioned your child, an experienced Detroit juvenile defense lawyer can analyze whether any statements were voluntary and admissible, and can file motions to suppress those statements when they were illegally obtained. We also address issues that commonly arise in school-based incidents, including backpack and locker searches, electronic device analysis, and parallel school discipline proceedings.
Common Juvenile Charges in Detroit and Wayne CountyOur team of experienced juvenile defense lawyers represents young people across the full range of charges seen in Wayne County, including minor in possession (MIP), disorderly conduct, assault and battery, felonious assault, shoplifting and retail fraud, burglary and home invasion, malicious destruction of property, trespass, weapon possession, drug possession and delivery, vaping and THC offenses, zero-tolerance operating while intoxicated (OWI), fleeing and eluding, texting while driving, threats and school-related disturbances, sexting and Internet offenses, criminal sexual conduct (CSC) allegations, and probation violations.
Every case is a fact-specific dilemma, and the most effective strategy depends on the child’s age, prior history, school situation, family support, and the strength of the prosecution’s evidence. Unlike the firms that use the same copy-and-paste strategy in every case, we build a plan around your child and your child’s situation.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Juvenile Case in Detroit?A juvenile case can reach far beyond the courtroom. Schools may initiate suspension or expulsion proceedings after an arrest. Colleges, scholarship committees, and athletic programs often ask about disciplinary history. Certain adjudications can impact driver’s license eligibility. And court orders can include restitution that can take years to pay off, especially for a young person.
In sensitive matters like cases involving sex-offense allegations, there are additional considerations regarding privacy and registration rules that must be weighed carefully, too. Our team anticipates these downstream effects, coordinates with education and treatment providers, and pursues outcomes that keep as many doors open for your child as possible. With a dedicated Detroit juvenile defense lawyer by your side, you can focus on your child’s growth and recovery while we protect their rights and their future.
How Diversion and the Consent Calendar Can Help Avoid a Public RecordMichigan law provides avenues to protect or later set aside juvenile adjudications. Depending on the circumstances, successful completion of diversion or consent calendar can avoid a public adjudication altogether. If a formal adjudication occurs, a petition to set aside may be available after a waiting period, and recent reforms created expanded opportunities to clear juvenile records when eligibility criteria are met. We advise families on how to preserve eligibility for future relief and, when the time is right, help file to set aside qualifying adjudications so a young person can move forward with a clean public record. Working with a knowledgeable juvenile defense lawyer in Detroit gives your child the best chance to take full advantage of Michigan’s clean slate and expungement laws.
Our Proven Defense Strategy for Juvenile Cases in Detroit and Wayne CountyJuvenile defense calls for a comprehensive strategy that focuses on both the law and the client. We begin with an immediate investigation, preserving video and digital evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing whether law enforcement followed proper procedures. We evaluate the constitutionality of searches and seizures, identification procedures, and the voluntariness of any statements.
At the same time, we gather mitigation evidence that tells the whole story of our young clients, including records showing school attendance, counseling progress, extracurricular involvement, and family and community support. Where appropriate, we connect clients with age-appropriate services, mentorship programs, and treatment professionals whose work not only improves outcomes in court but also supports long-term successes. Judges and prosecutors in Wayne County want to see genuine accountability and positive change. Our skilled Detroit juvenile defense attorneys have a unique approach and know how to present that narrative credibly and persuasively.
Detroit Juvenile Drug and Alcohol AllegationsAlcohol and drug cases are common for teens, and Michigan law treats them seriously. Even possession of small amounts of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, or social media posts suggesting use of either can lead to school discipline and court intervention.
An experienced Detroit juvenile defense lawyer carefully scrutinizes the basis for any stop, search, or seizure, including traffic stops, testing protocols, and claims of odor. For delivery or intent-to-deliver allegations, we examine whether the evidence actually shows sales or whether it supports a more appropriate personal-use resolution. Our goal is to resolve these cases in ways that promote education and counseling while protecting the child’s public record and future.
How Serious Are Teen Drug and Alcohol Allegations in Detroit, MI?Digital conduct by teens can have consequences far beyond what a young person anticipates. Sexting, sharing images, online harassment, and allegations involving consent require thoughtful and immediate legal guidance. We address privacy issues, device searches, and authentication of screenshots and messages. We also know that these cases require discretion to protect our young clients’ futures. Early intervention is essential because once charging decisions are made, your options can narrow. We move quickly to negotiate appropriate resolutions and to prevent disproportionate penalties that can derail a minor’s life.
What Happens When a Minor Is Taken Into Custody in Detroit or Wayne County?If a minor is taken into custody, the court will decide whether detention or in-home placement is appropriate before the case is resolved. The focus at this stage is on community safety, flight risk, and the availability of supervision and services. We are prepared to present a clear plan for release, including responsible adult supervision, curfew, and school compliance, counseling, and other support. A skilled juvenile defense lawyer in Detroit understands how to address the court’s concerns about safety and structure. By emphasizing rehabilitation over confinement, keeping a child at home while the case proceeds allows them to maintain school progress and participate fully in their defense and recovery.
What Should Parents Do If Their Child Is Questioned by Police or School Officials?If a police officer or a school official wants to question your child, contact a juvenile defense lawyer in Detroit before they answer any questions. Do not allow informal interviews because you feel pressured to cooperate. Politely provide identification information only and request that all questioning stop until your attorney is present.
Preserve evidence by saving texts, photos, videos, and social media posts, and compile witness names and contact information. Avoid making statements about the case to friends or online. Most importantly, please help your child maintain school attendance and their routine. Stability matters to judges, and it helps us present your family in the best possible light.
Frequently Asked Questions About Juvenile Defense Cases in DetroitQ: “Is a juvenile adjudication a criminal conviction?”
No. Juvenile adjudication is different from an adult conviction. But it can still have life-altering consequences. The primary goal in juvenile court is rehabilitation. With the right strategy, many cases can be resolved in a way that protects the child’s public record.
Q: “Can a 17-year-old minor be treated as a juvenile in Michigan?”
Yes. Michigan law treats most people under 18 as juveniles. There are limited exceptions for certain serious offenses where the prosecutor may seek to treat a teenager as an adult. We evaluate exposure right away and fight to keep cases in the juvenile system whenever the law allows.
Q: “Will my child’s school be notified?”
Schools frequently learn about incidents that occur on campus or involve students. We regularly coordinate with education counsel and school administrators to manage parallel school discipline and to keep educational goals on track.
Q: “How long do juvenile cases take?”
Timelines vary. Some cases are resolved at an early stage through diversion or the consent calendar. Formal cases can take longer, and the court may require periodic progress through counseling, community service, or restitution. We keep families informed at every step and work to move cases toward the most favorable resolution.
For decades, our firm has been dedicated to defending people across Michigan in high-stakes criminal matters, including complex juvenile cases in Detroit and throughout Wayne County. Families choose Grabel & Associates because every juvenile defense lawyer on our team combines courtroom experience with a child-centered approach that emphasizes practical, compassionate outcomes.
We know how to challenge the prosecution’s evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and have decades of experience presenting a young person’s strengths to the court. Our lawyers are accessible, responsive, and meticulous, and we put in the work that juvenile defense requires.
Call Our Juvenile Defense Lawyer in Detroit for a Free, Confidential ConsultationIf your son or daughter is under investigation or has already been charged, contact us now. The earlier we begin, the more options we can preserve. We are available 24 hours a day for emergency guidance and immediate action. Call 1-800-342-7896 or contact us online to speak with a juvenile defense attorney who understands the Detroit courts and knows how to protect your child’s future.