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Experienced defense lawyers for juvenile defendants
The juvenile justice system treats children much differently than adults. Juvenile justice is much more focused on the juvenile than adult justice which focuses on the crime. Judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers generally work to determine what happened and what treatments and punishment should be used if a child is a delinquent. The juvenile courts understand that children do make mistakes. Minors who commit juvenile offenses can, with guidance and the advocacy of skilled defense lawyers, become productive adults through court supervision.
The Law Office of Steven K. Mamat is skilled at helping juveniles who get into trouble defend any charges that are not true. We fight to show your child should not be judged a delinquent. If it is determined that your child did commit a juvenile offense in Detroit, we work to address the underlying problems so that the judge focuses on treatment and remedies instead of the harsh step of placing your child in a juvenile facility.
What types of juvenile offenses do minors in Detroit commit?
Some of the many offenses our Detroit juvenile justice lawyers handle include:
- Alcohol and drug offenses
- Assault and battery
- Burglary
- Criminal trespass
- Disorderly conduct
- Harassment
- Illegal motor vehicle use
- Loitering
- Possession of stolen property
- Shoplifting
- Theft
- Traffic offenses
- Truancy
- Vandalism
- Violations of curfew
- Weapon use and possession
How does a juvenile case work in Detroit
Usually, the police will file formal juvenile offense charges in the juvenile court system. In some cases, the prosecution may seek to try the juvenile as an adult. Our lawyers fight removals of juvenile cases to the adult court system. When a case stays in the juvenile system, unless there is some type of diversion program (we explain this below), the judge assigned to the case will review the evidence presented by the local prosecution and our skilled Detroit juvenile defense lawyers. The judge then decides if the child committed the offenses and what remedies should be used.
The remedies may include counseling, repayment of any damages to the victim, probation, and confinement. Confinement usually means the minor is placed in a juvenile justice facility with other juveniles. A juvenile is generally released when he/she turns 18 or sooner depending on the juvenile’s age at the time of the offense, the type of offense, and other factors. Generally, the juvenile record cannot be used against the juvenile in adult court. There may be other consequences though such as not being eligible for military services, denial of certain educational opportunities, and other consequences.
What are the possible results of a juvenile charge in Detroit?
Generally, your son or daughter’s case will have one of the following outcomes:
- The case is dismissed and there is not juvenile record
- The case is referred to the Juvenile Diversion Act. Michigan may consider placing a juvenile on probation if he/she complies with certain conditions. If the conditions are met, then the charges are dismissed. The Juvenile Diversion Act is:
“AN ACT to permit certain minors to be diverted from the court system having jurisdiction over minors; to establish diversion criteria and procedures; to require certain records to be made and kept; to prescribe certain powers and duties of courts having jurisdiction over minors and of law enforcement agencies; and to prescribe certain penalties.”
There are specific diversion programs for drug offenses and alcohol offenses. There are also diversion programs for other juvenile offenses. Our skilled Detroit juvenile lawyers will explain whether your child is eligible for any of these diversion programs.
- The juvenile is placed under the judge’s supervision and the judge decides what conditions the juvenile must meet to avoid further court involvement.
- The child will have a juvenile conviction on his/her record and various penalties will be imposed.
What is the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act?
Michigan understands that some children deserve a chance at a better life instead of being punished for immature mistakes. This law generally applies to young people who commit offenses between the ages of 17 and 26 (depending on the date of the offense). The Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) does not apply to felonies where the maximum penalty is life imprisonment, major controlled substance offenses, certain sex crimes, traffic offenses, and certain other offenses.
Otherwise, effective October 21, 2021 (and subject to other conditions), if the offender “pleads guilty to a criminal offense, committed on or after the individual’s eighteenth birthday but before his or her twenty-sixth birthday,” the court without entering a conviction – and with the offender’s consent and the consent of the prosecution – may designate the person as a “youthful trainee.” In some cases, the consent of the victim may be required.
As a youth trainee, the individual may be required to:
“Maintain employment or to attend a high school, high school equivalency program, community college, college, university, or trade school.” “If the individual is not employed or attending a high school, community college, college, university, or trade school, the individual may be required to actively seek employment or entry into a high school, high school equivalency program, community college, college, university, or trade school.”
Additional conditions may apply if the offense occurred on or after the date when the individual turned 21.
Do you have a juvenile defense lawyer near me?
Our office is located at 2111 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201. We also represent clients in Macomb, Oakland, Kent, and Genesee Counties.
Speak with an experienced Detroit DUI lawyer today.
At the Law Office of Steven A. Mamat, we understand that children make mistakes due to immaturity, a lack of supervision, the need to feel popular with their peers, and for many other reasons. We fight to show that your child was not involved in the alleged incident. If your child was involved, we seek to avoid confinement through diversion programs and programs approved by the juvenile judge. Please call our Detroit juvenile defense lawyers today or use our contact form to schedule a consultation.