Chesterfield Township Criminal Defense Attorney

When police lights flash in your rear-view mirror or a police officer knocks on your door, the stakes instantly feel overwhelming. A criminal charge in Chesterfield Charter Township carries consequences far beyond fines or jail. They can limit employment, housing, schooling, gun ownership, travel, and even family relationships. At Grabel & Associates, our defense attorneys’ sole mission is safeguarding our clients’ rights, freedom, and reputation; our Macomb County criminal lawyers will help you navigate the charges.

Michigan-Wide Criminal Defense Expertise with Chesterfield Township Focus

Grabel & Associates is a Michigan-wide criminal defense firm with a record of success at every case stage, from pre-file investigations to jury trials and post-conviction appeals. Our founding attorney, Scott Grabel, spent years inside the Michigan Attorney General’s Office before turning his insider knowledge into a tool to defend the accused. Every lawyer on our team is battle-tested in felony and misdemeanor cases across the state, and we pair that statewide firepower with a deep understanding of local procedures, including those in Chesterfield Township.

Understanding Chesterfield Township Courts and Criminal Procedures

• 42-2 District Court (New Baltimore): The 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore handles all misdemeanors arising in Chesterfield Township and presides over felony arraignments and preliminary exams before cases move to circuit court.
• Macomb County Circuit Court (Mount Clemens): The Macomb County Circuit Court is the forum for felony trials, sentencing, and serious probation-violation hearings from Chesterfield Township and elsewhere in Macomb County.
• Drug/Sobriety and Veterans’ Specialty Dockets: Specialty courts, including those focused on sobriety or helping veterans, offer treatment-centered alternatives that we can petition for when appropriate.

Because we appear weekly before the judges and probation departments in the 42-2 District Court and the Macomb County Circuit Court, we know their scheduling expectations, approaches to evidentiary rulings, and sentencing philosophies—knowledge that translates into practical advantages for our clients.

Guide to the Michigan Criminal Justice Process: What to Expect

Investigation & Pre-Charge Advocacy. Many cases start quietly with a detective’s phone call or a knock on the door. The moment you suspect you are under investigation, before speaking to police, call us. In many cases, this gives us the chance to do the following:

• Defuse the situation by presenting exculpatory evidence early.
• Negotiate a reduced charge packet before a warrant is issued.
• Arrange for self-surrender to avoid the embarrassment of an unannounced arrest.

Arraignment & Bond. Within 24 to 48 hours of an arrest, you will appear in the 42-2 District Court for arraignment. This is where the judge reads the charge against you, sets bond, and imposes conditions (no-contact orders, alcohol testing, GPS tethers, etc.). We prepare a prompt, persuasive bond motion to minimize cash and collateral requirements. In many cases, we can secure personal recognizance or 10-percent bonds that let you keep earning income while we build your defense.

Preliminary Examination (Felonies). Michigan is one of the few states that guarantees an initial exam for live testimony. We utilize this mini-trial to cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses under oath, lock in inconsistent statements, and sometimes even convince the judge to dismiss or significantly reduce the charges.

Discovery & Motion Practice. Our litigators file aggressive motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence—warrantless searches, Miranda violations, flawed line-ups, and other law enforcement wrongdoing—and to demand disclosure of police body-cam footage, squad-car GPS data, and the results of forensic testing. Suppressed evidence often cripples the prosecution’s case and drives plea offers down.

Negotiation or Tria. Should a negotiated resolution serve your best interests, we leverage our reputation and case theory to secure reduced charges, sentencing agreements under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) or 771.1 deferrals, or probationary sentences under the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines. But when trial is the best or only option, our attorneys bring decades of hands-on experience with jury selection, witness impeachment, and closing arguments to the courtroom.

Criminal Charges We Handle in Chesterfield Township and Macomb County

Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). Macomb County roads you use daily, including M-59, I-94, and Jefferson Avenue, are constant OWI-enforcement corridors patrolled by the Chesterfield Township Police Department and Michigan State Troopers. Among other things, we challenge the lawfulness of traffic stops, question DataMaster breath-test calibrations, subpoena in-car video, and retain former MSP toxicologists to undermine blood-alcohol analyses.

Assault & Domestic Violence. Whether it is a neighborhood dispute or a domestic argument that escalated, an arrest for assault or domestic violence can lead to immediate protective orders that disrupt every part of your life. We obtain surveillance footage, analyze 911 audio for emotional biases, present self-defense or mutual-combat theories to juries, and aggressively represent our clients facing assault charges.

Drug Possession & Delivery. From minor marijuana possession (conduct still regulated post-legalization) to felony charges for fentanyl distribution, we scrutinize each phase of police action in drug cases—informants, search-warrant affidavits, canine sniffs, and so on—for violations of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. When the evidence against you is strong, we explore Macomb County’s Adult Drug Court or deferred sentencing under MCL 333.7411 to keep your record clean.

Theft, Retail Fraud, & Property Crime. Theft, retail fraud, and other property crime cases—whether low-level offenses like simple shoplifting or high-profile instances like Partridge Creek Mall retail-fraud sweeps or local catalytic-converter theft rings—can lead to charges from low-level misdemeanors to felony larceny or carjacking charges. We can question eyewitness reliability, introduce surveillance blind spots, and seek civil compromise to prompt prosecutors to dismiss these cases.

Juvenile Offenses. Juvenile petitions for vandalism, sexting, school threats, and other criminal behavior require a strategic balance—vigorous defense plus a focus on rehabilitation to keep your child’s record confidential under MCL 712A.18e. Our attorneys guide families through consent-calendar diversion, record-sealing petitions, and every other aspect of the juvenile process.

Probation Violations & Bench Warrants. Missing an alcohol test or falling behind on fines can trigger a bench warrant. We arrange immediate walk-in court appearances and advocate for reinstatement rather than revocation.

What are the Penalties and Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction?

• Jail & Prison: Michigan’s state courts, the Macomb County Jail in Mount Clemens, and the Michigan Department of Corrections operate on sentencing guidelines we dissect in every case. This allows us to argue for downward departures.
• Driver’s License Sanctions: OWI, drug possession, and even retail fraud can trigger mandatory suspensions of your driver’s license. We can petition for restricted licenses and early reinstatement as soon as you are eligible.
• Professional & Immigration Fallout: Healthcare workers, teachers, and non-citizens face automatic reporting or deportation for criminal convictions. We craft pleas under statutes that avoid deportable controlled-substance or crime-of-moral-turpitude labels.
• Firearm Rights: Assault, domestic violence, and certain misdemeanors invoke federal firearm bans. After negotiating a plea deal, we can pursue set-asides and restoration petitions to avoid these consequences.

How We Build a Strong Criminal Defense Strategy for You

Thorough Fact Investigation. We conduct parallel investigations to law enforcement’s process, hiring retired police officers, forensic accountants, accident-reconstruction experts, and other professionals. This thorough investigation allows us to uncover evidence the prosecution and law enforcement missed or ignored.

Legal Mastery of Michigan Criminal Law. Our understanding of Michigan criminal law is unmatched. Our legal research is the product of decades of experience representing clients all over the State of Michigan, including in the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. Our motions, memorandums, and other court filings dive deep into Michigan jurisprudence, from statutory definitions to the constantly changing Michigan and federal court precedent on searches and seizures. This is the only way to ensure no legal angle is left unexplored.

Persuasive Narrative Development. Jurors decide cases by choosing a story to believe. We humanize every client, weaving your background, a case’s context, and all mitigating circumstances into a coherent narrative that resonates with judges and juries.

Relentless Negotiation & Trial Skills. Prosecutors know we will not hesitate to try every single case. That trial readiness translates into better plea offers and, when needed, decisive courtroom victories.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in Chesterfield Township

Q: “Should I talk to the police if I know I’m innocent?”
No. Even truthful statements can be misinterpreted, taken out of context, and used against you. Politely decline to talk, and call us immediately.

Q: “Can you get my charge dismissed?”
Dismissal depends on the facts, law, and evidence. We assess opportunities for dismissal at each stage of every case, from reviewing the initial arrest or search warrant to motions and evidentiary hearings.

Q: “How much will this cost?”
Your initial consultation is free. If you decide to partner with Grabel & Associates, we offer transparent flat or staged fee structures and accept credit cards.

Q: “Do first-time offenders go to jail in Macomb County?”
In many cases, no. Alternative sentencing options, including HYTA status, 771.1 deferments, and specialty courts, can keep first-time offenders out of jail and clear your record.

Why Choose Grabel & Associates?

• Statewide Reputation, Local Advantage: We have represented clients all over Michigan, including Macomb County. Judges and prosecutors respect our thorough preparation and ethical advocacy.
• 24/7 Direct Attorney Access: Arrests do not follow business hours. Neither do we.
• Comprehensive Team Approach: Our firm’s collective insight benefits every case. Our team includes litigators, research attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and experts.
• Proven Results: From dismissals of felony drug charges to not-guilty verdicts on OWI-causing-injury cases, our track record speaks for itself.

Take the First Step Toward Your Defense Today

When you face criminal charges, timing is critical. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and prosecutors gain momentum. Whether you face a misdemeanor shoplifting charge, a felony assault charge, complex white-collar allegations, or some other criminal accusations, Grabel & Associates stands ready to protect your future.

Call us 24/7 at (800) 342-7896 or submit a confidential form on our website. Let us use our experience, legal acumen, and relentless commitment to work for you in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County, and Michigan.