If a juvenile commits a serious offense, will they be charged as an adult?

We have all heard the science behind the idea that young people’s brains take years to develop, often times into their early-20’s.  That fact—coupled with concepts like peer pressure, hormones and substance abuse---often leads young people to commit foolish crimes and end up in Michigan’s Criminal Justice System.  Unfortunately, if a juvenile commits a serious offense, they might find themselves staring down a very scary adult prison sentence (not to mention a felony adult conviction that will haunt them for the rest of their lives).

Geherin Law Group, PLLC. has defended thousands of criminal cases in Ann Arbor and throughout Southeastern Michigan for young adult and juvenile offenders. Firm founder Daniel T. Geherin is a former prosecutor and board-certified criminal trial attorney who has been practicing law for 25+ years.

Learn more about felony offenses when it comes to juveniles in Michigan here.

 

If your son or daughter has been charged with a crime in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options on how to avoid a lifetime consequence, contact our criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw County for a free consultation. Please contact us 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.  

Can My Teenager Be Charged as an Adult?

In Michigan, a person who commits a crime before his/her 18^th birthday will be charged in Juvenile Court with a “delinquency” violation.  The date of the alleged offense is the controlling date, and not the date in which the person is charged.  

There are “Designated Offenses,” that if committed by someone after his or her 14^th birthday but before his or her 18^th birthday, the Prosecutor or Court may seek to try the case in adult court [MCR 3.950 et seq, MCL §712A.2D, MCL §769.1].  These include many felony offenses. 

 

Factors include the seriousness of the offense; your prior record (if applicable); and dispositional options at the juvenile level.  

 

Learn more about felony offenses when it comes to juveniles in Michigan here.

 

If your son or daughter has been charged with a crime in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options on how to avoid a lifetime consequence, contact our criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw County for a free consultation. Please contact us 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.