Criminal Defense Attorney, Dan Geherin Discusses Memorable Juvenile Cases

 

“I often recall an early case that stands out vividly in my memory. As a young attorney, I was hired by the parents of an 8-year-old girl who was facing criminal charges. Just the sight of her—barely three feet tall and maybe 100 pounds soaking wet—was striking. It was a surreal experience to represent someone so young. The case was deeply unsettling, but ultimately, we had it dismissed due to her age and other factors. It's a case that always reminds me of the potential overreach of the legal system and the lasting impact it can have on a child's life. I can only imagine how that young girl, scared out of her mind, will remember that day.

Over the years, I've represented juveniles involved in various situations. Some were caught up as getaway drivers for older relatives or fell into trouble due to bad influences. Others faced serious charges that we fought hard to keep out of adult court, with some success. While some cases remain under the public radar, they still significantly impact the juvenile justice system.

Interestingly, I've found that most of the juveniles I've represented over 25 years never reappear in the system. This is a positive sign, indicating that the system, for the most part, is successfully rehabilitating these young clients. Unlike many repeat offenders in the adult system, it's rare for me to see these juvenile clients again, which suggests that the interventions and rehabilitative efforts are making a difference.”

Contact Geherin Law Group for Washtenaw County Criminal Defense

 

If you’re being investigated or charged with a criminal case in Washtenaw County, and want a firm with 25+ years of targeted Washtenaw County experience, please contact Dan and his firm at GLG Michigan immediately.  We’re available 24/7, and we’ll help put you at ease, form a plan to handle your case, and fight aggressively to restore your reputation and protect your freedom.  Schedule your consultation online here, or call 24/7 (734) 263-2780. We’re acutely committed to providing personal attention, personal options, and personal justice to every single client we represent.  

 

GLG Michigan:  To Us, Washtenaw County Criminal Defense is Personal.    

 

Listen to our latest podcast the Michigan Justice Chronicles here.

How is representing juveniles different for you?

When representing a juvenile facing a life sentence, it’s not only emotionally difficult but also procedurally complex. For adults convicted of first-degree murder, the outcome is straightforward: life without parole. Juveniles, however, face additional considerations. In cases like these, a Miller hearing is conducted to assess whether a life sentence without parole is appropriate, taking into account the juvenile's potential for rehabilitation and the fact that their brain is still developing.

Representing juveniles in such serious cases involves navigating unique factors, such as the role of their parents, ethical considerations, and specialized legal procedures that differ from those in adult cases. It requires balancing the need for public safety with the possibility of redemption and rehabilitation for the young offender.

What are some of the more common offenses committed by juveniles in Michigan? How does the system typically address these offenses?

 

Juvenile offenses typically fall into four main categories, each representing a significant area of concern:

• Substance Abuse: This includes underage drinking, marijuana use, and other prohibited substances. Many juveniles face delinquency charges for possession, use, or related offenses like drinking and driving.
• Driving Offenses: Young drivers, often inexperienced, can face issues such as texting while driving, drinking and driving, or even causing serious accidents. These incidents can lead to charges of negligent homicide or reckless driving resulting in injury.
• Sexual Offenses: This category covers a range of issues from sexting and sexual harassment to sexual assault. These offenses are prevalent among juveniles and college students, leading to specialized court dockets for handling such cases with dedicated resources for treatment and counseling.
• Property and Theft Offenses: Common infractions include vandalism, shoplifting, and property damage. These offenses often arise from conflicts between peers or impulsive behavior.

While these four areas cover the majority of juvenile cases, there are also more serious, less frequent offenses such as murder or serious sexual conduct. These rare cases, though less common, are significant and complex.

Contact Geherin Law Group for Washtenaw County Criminal Defense

 

If you’re being investigated or charged with a criminal case in Washtenaw County, and want a firm with 25+ years of targeted Washtenaw County experience, please contact Dan and his firm at GLG Michigan immediately.  We’re available 24/7, and we’ll help put you at ease, form a plan to handle your case, and fight aggressively to restore your reputation and protect your freedom.  Schedule your consultation online here, or call 24/7 (734) 263-2780. We’re acutely committed to providing personal attention, personal options, and personal justice to every single client we represent.  

 

GLG Michigan:  To Us, Washtenaw County Criminal Defense is Personal.    

 

Listen to our latest podcast the Michigan Justice Chronicles here.

Michigan Changes Age for Juvenile Offenders

17-Year-Olds now qualify as juvenile offenders instead of adults.

Now that the law will be changing, parents of 17-year-old kids arrested for an offense will be able to breathe a sigh of relief----but they will also need to find a juvenile defense specialist, which is not easy to do. Many criminal defense attorneys have never handled a single juvenile case is their whole career, and aren’t comfortable wading into a court system with which they have no experience or knowledge.

Dan Geherin, owner of the Geherin Law Group in Ann Arbor is a former prosecutor and board-certified criminal trial attorney who has been practicing juvenile law for over two decades. Since starting his career as a juvenile court prosecutor in 1996, he has been defending juveniles -- and reassuring their parents -- for 20+years. He has helped thousands of juvenile clients in that timeframe. Dan has truly separated himself as an attorney dedicated to helping juveniles navigate their way through a very scary and uncertain process, and his firm has success in handling juvenile cases throughout Michigan.

Click Here to learn more about the new laws for juvenile offenders. 


Geherin Law Group
Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney - Ann Arbor, Michigan

17-Year-Olds Now Qualify as Juveniles

17-Year-Olds are no longer automatically charged as adults in Michigan.  

On October 31, 2019, Michigan’s Governor signed a law changing the maximum age of juvenile criminal jurisdiction from 16 to 17 years of age. Effective October 2021, 17-year-olds are no longer automatically treated as adults in Michigan’s Criminal Justice System. Michigan joins the vast majority of states which make 18 the starting point for adult jurisdiction. Until this change takes place, 17-year-old kids who allegedly commit crimes must be charged as adults.



Click Here to learn more about the changes to this law and why you need a qualified juvenile deffese attorney.

Geherin Law Group
Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney in Ann Arbor, MI

Success Case: Domestic Violence Trial Ann Arbor District Court

February 21 2019:           DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRIAL ANN ARBOR DISTRICT COURT

T.C. is a young woman who was accused of Domestic Violence for allegedly shoving and slapping her boyfriend during an argument.  She hired Dan to defend her and clear her name.  At trial, the police testified that T.C. admitted to pushing her boyfriend, but they conceded under cross-exam that they did not witness what led up to that response.  Dan argued that the prosecutor could not prove an intent to harm her boyfriend, and the judge agreed.  She was found not guilty, and all records related to her arrest and charge were destroyed.

Read more success cases from Dan Geherin here!