Juvenile Crime Glossary of Terms

Below is a glossary of terms relevant to juvenile crime cases. If you have any questions about a charge you are facing or a criminal investigation, contact our attorneys immediately.

Adolescent: can be used interchangeably with “juvenile” or “minor” often referring to a person under 18 years of age.

Age of Consent: in Michigan, a person must be at least 16 years old to consent to any sexual activity.

Assault: offensive physical contact against another person can lead to criminal charges of assault. Assault can also involve weapons, great bodily harm, or even death, which can lead to enhanced criminal penalties.

Charge: the formally filed accusation a juvenile offender is facing.

Conviction: after a juvenile offender has been found guilty, he or she has been convicted.

Delinquency Action: as opposed to a crime, a delinquency action is a charge for juvenile offenders, which may allow them to avoid the regular penalties for a set offense.

Drug Crime: includes possession, sale, distribution, cultivation, manufacturing, and other narcotics offenses.

DUI: Driving Under the Influence or OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) is a criminal drunk driving offense. For persons under the age of 21, any alcohol content (0.02%+) can result in a DUI/OWI charge.

Felony: a more serious criminal offense, felony charges can result in more severe penalties and in juvenile cases could lead to sentencing as an adult.

Gang Violence: assault, homicide, or other violent crimes related to or fueled by organized crime.

Juvenile Consent Docket: used interchangeably with “Juvenile Consent Calendar.”

Juvenile Consent Calendar: for misdemeanor or violent crimes, this sentencing option may be available, which allows an offender to complete specific terms by a set date in order to avoid a criminal record.

Juvenile Offense: an offense committed by a person aged 18 or under.

Minor in Possession: possession of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 can result in Minor in Possession (MIP) charges.

Misdemeanor: a less serious criminal offenses, which could allow for placement on the Juvenile Consent Docket.

Sexting: sending or receiving text messages, pictures, videos, emails, or other types of communication that include nude or otherwise sexual depictions can lead to child pornography charges.

Sexual Assault: offensive physical contact with the intent to commit an unwanted sex act with a person.

Shoplifting: also known as retail fraud, a charge for stealing from a store or changing the price of an item with intent to not pay full price.

Statutory Rape: sex with a person under the age of consent. Even if the offender was under 18 as well, statutory rape charges can be laid.

Contact Grabel & Associates Now for Criminal Defense Representation

At Grabel & Associates, our criminal defense attorneys are committed to protecting the freedom and future of clients, something that is extremely important in juvenile crime cases. If you or your child has been charged with an offense in Michigan, contact our firm now and fight back against criminal conviction. A criminal record could make it impossible to find a job, obtain a loan, or receive scholarships, and the penalties faced if convicted could be life-changing. Contact our experienced juvenile crime defense lawyers now for aggressive defense in any stage of your case.

Contact the attorneys at Grabel & Associates now for aggressive criminal defense representation if you or your child has been accused of a juvenile offense. Our team has extensive experience working with clients who are facing a variety of charges, including sex crimes, drug crimes violent crime, theft charges, DUI, and other juvenile offenses.

Our team is available 24/7 to answer all your legal questions and help you explore sentencing options including the Michigan Juvenile Consent Calendar. Call our criminal defense law firm now at 1-800-342-7896 for a free initial case consultation, or contact us online. Ask to set up a free consultation with experienced trial lawyer Scott Grabel, who has over 10 years of defense experience throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Our talented team will do everything they can to protect the rights of underage clients, and will fight for the freedom of juvenile offenders in juvenile or adult courts statewide.