At Grabel & Associates, we believe every young person deserves an aggressive and empathetic defense, as well as a genuine opportunity to learn from mistakes, rather than a lifetime marked by a criminal record. When families in Monroe, Michigan, call us after the police knock on the door or a summons is issued from the Family Division of the 38th Circuit Court, they are often scared and overwhelmed. That’s when having a skilled juvenile criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference.
Our Monroe criminal defense team steps in immediately to protect the constitutional rights, freedom, education, and emotional well-being of the young people we represent. Juvenile defense is not just about winning a case; it's about protecting the rights of a child. It is about safeguarding a future.
Michigan raised the age of juvenile jurisdiction to include all minors under 18 as of October 1, 2021. That means a 17-year-old child accused of shoplifting, assault, or drug possession in Monroe County now faces delinquency proceedings rather than automatic placement in adult court.
But prosecutors may still petition to designate a case for adult sentencing or try to waive juvenile jurisdiction altogether in serious felonies, exposing a teen to adult prison. This reform makes experienced juvenile counsel more vital than ever.
A delinquency adjudication, the juvenile court equivalent of a conviction, can also trigger driver’s license sanctions, mandatory DNA collection, lifetime firearm restrictions, school disciplinary hearings, a suspension from federal financial aid eligibility, and immigration consequences.
Juvenile matters are heard at the Monroe County Courthouse at 125 East Second Street in downtown Monroe. The Family Division, which handles juvenile court cases, has an intake department, probation officers, and referees who preside over preliminary hearings. Although juvenile cases proceed more quickly and informally than adult prosecutions, each stage presents critical strategic decisions that require careful consideration. A juvenile criminal defense lawyer can help navigate these complex proceedings.
Our office handles the full spectrum of charges filed against minors in Monroe, including the following:
Each category brings unique defenses, from Fourth Amendment search challenges to consent calendar eligibility arguments.
Many juvenile cases collapse because officers neglect the heightened protections owed to children. Michigan courts analyze factors such as age, presence of a parent, prior experience with the justice system, and the atmosphere of questioning in deciding whether a child felt “free to leave.” We regularly file motions to suppress statements when the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office questions minors without reading their Miranda rights, refuses parental access, or conducts late-night interrogations.
Parents sometimes believe they should “let their child explain” to avoid charges. We urge families to remain silent and request counsel. A teenager’s unguarded apology, text message, or social media video can supply the prosecution with its entire case.
Grabel & Associates excels at creative resolutions outside the adversarial courtroom. The Monroe juvenile intake department operates community-positive programs, including the following:
We compile school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and mental health assessments to persuade probation officers and the prosecuting attorney that diversion is the best approach to addressing alleged misconduct. Completing all consent calendar terms, including community service, writing apology letters, attending counseling sessions, and fulfilling any other requirements, results in dismissal and the sealing of records.
When the prosecutor insists on the formal calendar, we aggressively contest probable cause at the preliminary inquiry. The Michigan Court Rules require that petitions state facts with the same specificity as felony complaints for adults. Our juvenile defense lawyers challenge vague or conclusory language and subpoena witnesses for contested probable cause hearings, compelling dismissal when sworn testimony contradicts the written allegations.
If the court finds probable cause, we will continue with trial preparation. Defense investigators canvass the scene, locate surveillance footage from small businesses on South Monroe Street, and photograph the lighting conditions and any property damage. Social media experts also help us capture deleted Snapchat or Instagram content that may exonerate our client.
The dispositional range in Monroe County spans everything from in-home probation to long-term placement in a facility:
Judges must follow the Michigan Juvenile Sentencing Guidelines for designated proceedings but otherwise exercise broad discretion in dispositions guided by the purpose clauses of MCL 712A.1. Our juvenile criminal defense team will argue vigorously for the least-restrictive alternative and craft individualized rehabilitation plans demonstrating why incarceration hinders, rather than helps, a child’s growth.
In violent felony cases, such as armed robbery, carjacking, first-degree CSC, and other serious offenses, the Monroe County Prosecutor may request a designated proceeding or traditional waiver. Designation keeps the case in the Family Division but exposes the youth to adult sentencing, whereas waiver moves the matter to the 38th Circuit Court’s adult docket. Our trial team presents extensive psychological evaluations, brain development science, and community support testimony to convince the judge that juvenile sentencing is the most appropriate outcome.
Should the court grant designation, we prepare for a jury trial with the same intensity as an adult felony case, filing discovery motions, retaining forensic experts, and mounting constitutional defenses. Our record of suppressing illegally obtained confessions and discrediting eyewitnesses often persuades prosecutors to negotiate blended or juvenile-only dispositions even after designation (rather than risk acquittal).
Probation officers in Monroe County collaborate with families on case plans addressing education, substance abuse, mental health, and community engagement. We treat probation as an opportunity for defense advocacy, attending case plan meetings, ensuring services are based on evidence, and advocating for plan modifications when requirements become unworkable. If a minor excels, we petition for early release from probation, allowing the family to close the chapter sooner.
School discipline proceedings often run in parallel with juvenile cases. A single incident of fighting or using a vape pen can trigger a 10-day suspension or expulsion hearing. As juvenile defense attorneys, we represent students in the courtroom and at administrative hearings, advocating for reduced suspensions and coordinating alternative placements to ensure school credits remain on track. We advise families on how delinquency findings impact college applications, scholarships, military enlistment, and immigration cases.
When the stakes are exceptionally high for student-athletes facing scholarship revocations or international students at Monroe County Community College, we enlist the services of education consultants, immigration counsel, and sports-eligibility experts to protect our young clients’ long-term goals.
Michigan’s Clean Slate for Kids legislation (effective July 3, 2023) now automatically seals most juvenile records after three years or upon reaching age 18, whichever is later, if the child has no further adjudications. Certain serious felonies remain ineligible.
Our juvenile defense attorneys at Grabel & Associates monitor clients’ records, file objections if probation departments misclassify an offense, and petition for early expungement when statutory criteria are met. Clearing a juvenile record removes barriers to employment, housing, and professional licensing down the road.
Our firm has defended Michigan youth for over two decades, earning a statewide reputation for meticulous case preparation, creative problem-solving, and an unwavering commitment to the development of adolescents. In Monroe, we have cultivated strong working relationships with juvenile intake officers, referees, assistant prosecutors, and probation staff, allowing us to negotiate diversions that may not be available to inexperienced or out-of-town counsel. We commit to:
Our results-driven approach balances courtroom tenacity with compassionate counseling, encouraging accountability without sacrificing the youth's promise.
If your son or daughter has been arrested, received a petition, or is under investigation in Monroe County, do not wait for things to “work themselves out.” Early legal intervention often distinguishes between a bright future and a permanent record.
Contact Grabel & Associates now for a free, confidential consultation. We will explain every step of the Monroe juvenile court process, craft a tailored defense strategy, and stand with your family until your child is safely back on track. The stakes are high. But with our experienced juvenile defense team in your corner, the chances of a fresh start are high, too.