When a person is charged with a juvenile offense, he or she may be wondering what ‘juvenile’ really means. While an adult is usually a person over 18 (or in some cases, over 21), juvenile refers to persons under the age of 18 years. Therefore, ‘juvenile’ and ‘minor’ are two different terms, an important detail in criminal cases. Some cases deal with ‘adults’ and ‘minors,’ and others deal with ‘juveniles’ and ‘adults.’ Contact Grabel & Associates if you are under the age of 17 and have been accused of a crime, or if your child has been charged with a crime in Michigan.
Our juvenile defense attorneys have extensive experience fighting for the rights of juveniles, minors, and adults who face a variety of criminal charges throughout Michigan’s 83 counties, and we will aggressively defend you or your child after potentially damaging accusations. Contact our Michigan criminal defense law firm now to speak with an experienced case analyst and work to protect your rights and freedom. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience needed to help you achieve the best possible case results.
In Michigan criminal cases, anyone under the age of 18 is considered a juvenile. Juveniles are not charged with regular crimes, but instead with delinquency actions, which are dealt with in juvenile court, a division of family court. In rare cases, however, juveniles can be sentenced as adults even though they are not 17 years of age or older.
A minor usually refers to a person under the age of 18, but can also refer to any person under the ‘legal age’ for certain activities.
In the state of Michigan, a person must be at least 16 years of age to consent to sexual activity. A person under the age of 16 is considered a minor in sex crime cases, and anyone over the age of consent who has sexual contact with a person under the age of 16 is subject to criminal charges.
The legal drinking age is 21, and persons under the age of 21 can be referred to as minors in alcohol related cases. Drinking, possessing, or transporting alcohol, or having any blood alcohol content can result in serious criminal charges including Minor in Possession of Alcohol, DUI, or other alcohol related charges.
No matter what charge you face, you will need to work with an experienced lawyer who can help you understand legal terminology, the issues affecting your case, and what you need to do to protect yourself from criminal penalties. In cases involving juveniles or minors, it is extremely important to work with a law firm who cares about client’s results and futures, and our attorneys are committed to achieving the best case outcomes no matter what you have been charged with.
Under the direction of founding attorney Scott Grabel, our skilled team will work to deliver aggressive, dynamic defense strategies tailored to the specific details of your unique case. Contact us immediately if you or your child is facing a criminal charge in Michigan, and secure competent legal representation.
When a young person is accused of a crime, it is critical that wrongful conviction and excessive punishment be avoided at all costs. Our attorneys will do everything they can to defend your rights and freedom, and we will dedicate as much time as necessary to your case. After helping you set legal goals, our lawyers will investigate every detail of your case leading up to when you were charged, and help you build an individualized defense strategy with your desired outcome in mind.
Fight back against aggressive police and prosecutors by working with an established Michigan criminal defense firm. Failing to hire one of the best juvenile crime defense firms in Michigan could mean missing out on a beneficial case outcome, and waiting too long to hire a lawyer could similarly hurt your results. Our attorneys are always available to begin defending juveniles statewide, and will do everything possible to assist any client who needs representation throughout the justice process.
Our team is available now for a free case consultation, and can be reached toll free at 1-800-342-7896. If you can’t call, contact us online and ask to set up a free case consultation with trial lawyer Scott Grabel. If you have any legal questions, our attorneys will be available 24/7 to take your call and give you the answers you need. Don’t hesitate to contact our firm and begin fighting for a great case outcome; we are always available for juveniles in need of legal guidance.