Chesterfield Township Juvenile Defense Attorney

An arrest or petition against a minor in Chesterfield Charter Township shakes an entire family. A momentary lapse in judgment, shoplifting at The Mall at Partridge Creek, a fight in the school hallway, or a late-night joyride can trigger court involvement that threatens a child’s education, employment prospects, college admissions, and even where the young person may live. Contact our Chesterfield Township juvenile defense attorneys immediately for a free, confidential consultation if your child has been charged.

Michigan’s juvenile justice system is designed to rehabilitate rather than punish, but prosecutors often push for detention or an “adult designation” when public pressure or social-media attention is high. We combine our Chesterfield Township criminal defense firepower with a compassionate, youth-centered approach to protect your child’s freedom, record, and future in Macomb County’s courts.

Juvenile Court Jurisdiction in Chesterfield Township and Macomb County

All delinquency petitions originating in Chesterfield Township fall under the Family Division of the Macomb County Circuit Court on North Main Street in Mount Clemens. Intake workers from the County Juvenile Justice Center screen police referrals, decide whether to release or detain a child, and recommend diversion, consent-calendar placement, or formal court processing. Because our attorneys appear weekly before Family Division referees and judges, we understand their expectations on detention, electronic monitoring, drug testing, and school-attendance orders, local knowledge that allows us to craft proposals that judges accept on day one.

How Michigan’s “Raise the Age” Law Affects Juvenile Charges

As of October 1, 2021, Michigan treats 17-year-olds as juveniles rather than automatically as adults. The Family Division now has original jurisdiction over anyone under 18 when the alleged offense occurred under MCL 712A.2. This shift opens powerful options, such as diversion, confidentiality, and record sealing, that were unavailable to 17-year-olds just a few years ago. Grabel & Associates leverages this expanded jurisdiction to keep teens in rehabilitative settings and away from adult courts and prisons, as well as felony records.

Common Juvenile Charges in Chesterfield Township and How We Defend Them

Retail Fraud and Larceny. Shoplifting sweeps at big-box stores and car-related theft crimes regularly bring teens into court in Macomb County. We can highlight impulsivity and peer pressure, arrange for restitution before arraignment, and secure civil-compromise dismissals or consent-calendar placement.

Assault, Bullying, and School Fights. Recent zero-tolerance school policies send even minor hallway scuffles to police. We obtain hallway camera footage, interview teachers and monitors, and present self-defense or mutual-combat narratives that persuade the prosecutor to downgrade or dismiss the charges against you.

Sexting and Child Sexually Abusive Material. Today’s smartphone culture leads to the inadvertent possession or sharing of explicit images. Our attorneys negotiate investigative resolutions that avoid felony criminal sexual conduct charges and lifetime sex-offender registration, often steering cases into cyber-education programs run by the court instead.

Drug Possession and Vaping Devices. THC cartridges and counterfeit nicotine vapes can trigger possession charges under MCL 333.7410. But we arrange drug treatment evaluations and use negative screening results to keep the case on a diversionary track.

Criminal Threats and Social-Media Posts. Unfortunately, seemingly innocent Snapchat or TikTok videos that reference violence can provoke terrorism or bomb threat charges. We produce digital forensics reports showing reposts, parody context, or lack of actual intent, which can lead prosecutors to accept low-level misdemeanor pleas instead.

The Juvenile Court Process in Macomb County

Intake and Petition Decision. Within 24 hours of a police referral, an intake officer decides whether to file a formal petition under MCL 712A.11 or recommend diversion. Early attorney intervention, often a phone call the night of arrest, allows us to present character letters, school attendance records, and negative drug tests that support diversion and keep the petition off the docket altogether.

Preliminary Hearings and Detention Hearings. If a petition is filed and the juvenile is detained, a hearing must occur within 24 business hours. We argue statutory detention factors, danger to the community, flight risk, and prior history, while presenting release plans that include GPS, evening curfew, and home-schooling as alternatives to Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center detention.

Pre-Trial and Consent-Calendar Placement. Before adjudication, we can request a consent-calendar assignment under MCL 712A.2f. This informal docket allows the juvenile to complete counseling, community service, or restitution without entering a formal plea. Successful completion means the petition is dismissed, and the matter remains confidential forever.

Adjudication (Trial or Plea). Juvenile trials are bench trials before a judge or referee. Our attorneys cross-examine witnesses, challenge forensic evidence, and present expert testimony on adolescent brain development to undermine the prosecution’s intent element. When a negotiated plea better protects the child, we seek reductions to status offenses or ordinance violations that automatically seal when the child turns 18.

Disposition (Sentencing). The court orders a predisposition investigation and uses the Juvenile Justice Assessment System to gauge a juvenile’s risk. Disposition options range from in-home probation with counseling to placement at facilities like Shawono Center in Grayling. We present comprehensive mitigation packages—including psychological evaluations, IEP documentation, and community service logs—to secure the lightest, community-based outcome.

Protecting Teens From Adult Charges in Michigan Juvenile Court

For serious felonies, such as armed robbery, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and carjacking, the prosecutor may seek to designate the juvenile as an adult under MCL 712A.2d or petition for automatic waiver under MCL 712A.4. Adult designation allows the judge to impose either juvenile or adult sentencing options. An automatic waiver transfers the case to the adult docket in circuit court from day one. We contest these moves in a variety of ways:

• We can present expert testimony on adolescent neurodevelopment and reduced culpability.
• Our attorneys can show evidence of home stability, academic engagement, and community ties.
• Our research attorneys can compare your case to statewide sentencing statistics, demonstrating better outcomes through juvenile treatment.
• We can make constitutional arguments about proportionality and evolving juvenile standards based on Michigan Supreme Court precedent, such as People v. Skinner and People v. Parks.

Victories at this stage preserve rehabilitation pathways and avoid adult felony records that follow a child for life.

Post-Disposition Relief: Modifying, Sealing, and Appealing

• Motion to Terminate or Modify Probation. After six months of compliance, we can file motions under MCR 3.943(F) to shorten probation, lift travel restrictions, or switch therapy providers, giving teens a quicker return to everyday life.
• Set-Aside and Confidentiality. Successful completion of the consent calendar or diversion automatically seals the file. For formal adjudications, we can file a petition under MCL 712A.18e to set aside the adjudication at age 18 or after five years, whichever comes first.
• Appeals. Legal errors, including improper waiver to adult court, denial of evidentiary motions on erroneous grounds, and insufficient proof, are appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Our appellate division crafts persuasive briefs and oral arguments that convince the appeals panel to reverse unjust outcomes and remand cases for new hearings.

How Juvenile Charges Affect Education, Immigration, and Future Opportunities

• Educational Impact. School-based arrests often result in a suspension or expulsion hearing. We coordinate with attorneys experienced in education law to contest expulsions and secure alternative placements so a child’s academic progress can continue.
• Driver’s-License Sanctions. Drug possession, certain firearms offenses, and leaving-the-scene convictions can trigger license suspensions. We can petition for restricted permits under MCL 257.319 and file early reinstatement motions after a demonstrated period of sobriety compliance.
• Immigration Risks. In Michigan, non-citizen juveniles may face removal even for delinquency adjudications if their adjudications are labeled crimes of moral turpitude. We craft plea language and juvenile court findings that avoid federal immigration triggers.
• Firearm Restrictions. An adult felony record can drastically limit your Second Amendment rights. By keeping cases in juvenile court and obtaining set-asides, we preserve future eligibility for military service or security careers.

Defense Strategies That Work for Young People

• Developmental Science. Adolescent brains differ from adult brains in impulse control and risk assessment. Expert testimony on frontal lobe development humanizes mistakes and supports rehabilitative dispositions.
• Social Media and Digital Forensics. Teens live online. We extract metadata, decode Snapchat-server logs, and prove alternative account access to show mistaken identity or peer manipulation in cases based on social media and digital forensics.
• Mental Health Evaluations. Undiagnosed ADHD, autism-spectrum traits, or trauma history often underlie misconduct. Comprehensive evaluations inform treatment-based resolutions instead of punishment.
• Early Restitution and Community Engagement. Prompt payment for damage, letters of apology, and volunteer hours at local charities can demonstrate accountability and persuade courts to grant diversion.

Frequently Asked Questions About Juvenile Defense in Chesterfield Township

Q: “Will my child have a criminal record?”
A juvenile adjudication is not an adult conviction. Diversion programs seal the matter, and even formal adjudications can be set aside. Early legal intervention maximizes the potential for these favorable outcomes.

Q: “Can my teenager be questioned at school without me present?”
Schools often allow police interviews with a principal present. However, Miranda protections apply once a student is “in custody.” Teach your child to request a parent and a lawyer immediately.

Q: “Is detention automatic for violent charges?”
No. The court must consider statutory factors. A strong release plan—electronic tether, mental-health services, parental supervision, etc.—often secures immediate release.

Q: “How long will the case last?”
Diversion can conclude in three to six months, while formal petitions that go to trial may take nine months to a year. We push for a speedy resolution to minimize the disruption to the juveniles' and their families' lives.

Why Families Choose Grabel & Associates

• Exclusive Focus on Criminal Law: Juvenile defense is a core part of our statewide practice.
• Child-Centered Advocacy: We speak with children in plain language, earn their trust, and keep parents informed.
• Local Court Relationships: We appear in front of Macomb County referees and judges weekly, giving our arguments credibility.
• Comprehensive Resources: Our in-house investigators, digital forensics experts, psychologists, and education partners enable us to provide a thorough defense.
• Proven Results: Our track record demonstrates our success, from consent calendar placements for felony larceny to dismissing terroristic threat petitions.

Take the First Step Toward Protecting Your Child’s Future

Minutes count when a young person is in custody or under investigation. Evidence must be preserved, and court personnel need positive information before they decide on detention or diversion. Let Grabel & Associates guide you through the maze of Michigan’s juvenile justice system and fight for the second chance every child deserves.

Call 24/7 at (800) 342-7896 or submit a confidential form on our website for a free consultation. Our compassionate, battle-tested attorneys are ready to defend your child in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County, and the State of Michigan.