No parents want to see their child charged with juvenile assault in Lansing, but when things get out of hand, sometimes charges are filed. If a juvenile is involved with a violent dispute such as a fight at East Lansing High School, Okemos High School, or Waverly High School or an act of self-defense, then charges of juvenile assault could be brought forward.
It's a shame to see a child or teenager's life change so drastically because of a misunderstanding or a true act of self-defense. To protect a juvenile's future when facing assault charges in Lansing, it is important that you contact Grabel & Associates. Having a well-practiced juvenile defense attorney in Lansing to take the lead on court cases puts a juvenile off to the right start and ensures that the juvenile's best interests are always taken into account.
Michigan charges juvenile offenders in a similar manner to adults. They can both face the same types of charges, but of course, the penalties will be much different. Anyone who is under the age of 17 is considered a minor and will be charged in a juvenile court.
Assault in Lansing, according to the Michigan Penal Code § 750.81, is defined as one person's attempt to physically harm or injure another person. The impact does not have to actually occur, but the threat needs to be made. A juvenile who jokingly threatens to beat up another juvenile at Everett High School could be charged with assault if the other juvenile did not understand the joke and feared for his or her safety.
Battery (§ 750.81) is defined as physically harming another person. A student who is watching a fight at Eastern High School and gets pushed into the center, elbowing another student and breaking his nose, could face a battery charge if the injured student feels the need to press charges.
Usually, assault is charged separately from assault and battery. If no physical violence actually occurred, then the crime will be treated as assault. In the case of physical violence, assault will be added to battery because it is usually inferred that a threat of violence was made before it was actually committed. So long as no weapon is used in the process, assault and battery will usually be charged as a misdemeanor.
Charges, however, can escalate. If the victim of an assault and battery is a police officer, boyfriend or girlfriend, or emergency medical personnel, the charge can be classified as a felony, rather than a misdemeanor. If a weapon is used of any kind, the charges can also be bumped up to assault with a deadly weapon.
At Grabel & Associates, we believe that all juveniles are innocent until proven guilty. We know how quickly an act of self-defense can turn to an assault charge and how being at the wrong place at the wrong time can lead to a serious assault charge. Grabel & Associates has the necessary tactics needed to build a strong defense case and utilize the best defense strategies needed to win a case. Contact us in Lansing now for a free consolation and get started on a worthy defense.
In Lansing, the one advantage that juveniles do have in these trying times is that their cases are tried in juvenile court, which is slightly less aggressive than the courts that adults are tried in. This court is a part of family court, and it handles all cases involving juveniles who have been charged with a certain status offense or crime.
Juvenile court in Lansing also has the power to grant alternative sentencing. This is a special kind of sentence that does not result in any jail time, and the incident is not added to the juvenile's permanent record. In many cases, alternative sentences lead to community service or sometimes probation. The judge will issue certain conditions, which must be followed in order for the juvenile's record to be completely cleared of any charges.
In some extreme cases, juveniles can be charged with an adult crime. If this happens, the case will be moved from juvenile court to adult court, and the juvenile will be charged like an adult, facing the same types of penalties.
Lansing is part of Ingham County, so any juveniles who must make a court appearance will need to go to the Ingham County Family Court. There are two locations:
Grady Porter Building
303 W. Kalamazoo Street, 2nd Fl.
Lansing, MI 48933
Veterans Memorial Courthouse
313 W. Kalamazoo Street
Lansing, MI 48933
Hours: Monday - Friday
8:00 - 12:00 p.m. (closed for lunch) 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Phone Number:
(517) 483-6105
Fax:
(517) 483-6158
Though these courts usually try to find preventative measures to stop juveniles in Lansing from becoming repeat offenders, there is definitely still a chance that a minor will end up facing serious criminal charges. To protect against this, you need a serious and skilled team of juvenile defense attorneys that will handle your case with care and treat it as a high priority.
When it comes to juvenile assault crimes in Lansing, it's not always easy to know what the outcome will be. While many cases end in probation, rehabilitation, alternative sentencing, and deferred penalties, it is possible that a juvenile will face serious criminal punishment for an assault charge. We at Grabel & Associates know what a tumultuous time this can be for any family, and we're ready to work with you to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome.
Take the first step in building a strong case and contact Grabel & Associates. Our toll-free number is 1-800-342-7896, and you can also contact us through our website. Don't let a juvenile's future be put in jeopardy because of a misunderstanding. Call Grabel & Associates today.