Washtenaw County Sex Crimes Lawyer

If you are being questioned in relation to a sex crimes case, contact Grabel & Associates right away. Before you talk to law enforcement, or even your family members and friends, you need to understand what your legal rights are, and how to protect them. It is important to remember that the American system of criminal justice is built on an adversarial model: prosecutors and law enforcement are on the opposite side as the accused. That means that, no matter what the police may say, they are not there to help you or to be your friend. They are there to apprehend the perpetrator for the crime they are investigating.

Understanding Sex Crimes Offenses in Washtenaw County, Michigan

Ultimately, the criminal justice system is supposed to be fair. The job of each side law enforcement on one side, defendant on the other is to get the fact-finder (that is, a jury in a trial) to see a case from their point of view, while the judge makes sure each side does not have an unlawful advantage. And while the idea behind this system is that it is a good way to find the truth, chances are, you are always going to be at a disadvantage unless you hire a seasoned, skilled top defense attorney to represent you when facing police and prosecutors who have spent their careers getting to know the ins and outs of the system. Up against those odds, the failure to hire an attorney is a grave error that can cost you your freedom.

Don't be caught at a disadvantage. If you are under investigation for a sex crime in Washtenaw County, call the experienced sex crimes defense attorneys at Grabel & Associates before things get out of control or you are facing trial. Grabel & Associates is the firm you can depend on.

Sex Crimes Cases in Washtenaw County Are Tried in Courts in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti

There are three district courts in Washtenaw County, the 14A District Court, the 14B District Court, and the 15th District Court. Washtenaw County district courts have jurisdiction over all misdemeanor sex crimes trials, and handles preliminary examinations in felony cases, which are ultimately tried in the 22nd Circuit Court.

The 14A District Court handles cases arising everywhere in Washtenaw County except for crimes that occur in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. It is located in Ann Arbor at:

14A District Court
4133 Washtenaw
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

The 14B District Court handles all cases arising in the Township of Ypsilanti, at:

14B District Court
7200 S. Huron River Dr
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197

The 15th District Court handles cases for crimes arising in the city of Ann Arbor:

15th Circuit Court
301 E. Huron St.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107

The 22nd Circuit Court of Washtenaw County handles all felony cases and some serious misdemeanor cases. The address for the Washtenaw County courthouse is:

Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court
101 E. Huron St.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107

Washtenaw County, Michigan, is in the southeastern region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, west of Wayne County. In addition to Wayne County to the east, Washtenaw County is surrounded by Monroe, Lenawee, Jackson, Ingham, Livingston, and Oakland counties. The county seat of Washtenaw County is the city of Ann Arbor. Washtenaw County encompasses an area of roughly 722 square miles, and has a total population of 344,791 residents, and is therefore much less densely populated than neighboring Wayne and Oakland Counties. Washtenaw County is made up of five cities, 20 townships, three villages, and 10 unincorporated communities.

Also unlike its neighboring counties of Wayne and Oakland, the unemployment rate in Washtenaw County in recent years has been relatively low. The county's largest employer is the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan has a strong academic reputation, often referred to somewhat jokingly as the "Harvard of the West," and serves nearly 42,000 students. Washtenaw County is also home to Eastern Michigan University, in Ypsilanti, with about 23,000 students. The lower unemployment rate in Washtenaw County may largely be due to the fact that these universities, as employers, are less susceptible to the adverse effects of the nationwide economic downturn. Not only is the unemployment rate in Washtenaw County lower than the rate in neighboring counties, but it is also lower than the national average.

The crime rate in Washtenaw County is also relatively low. It is lower than the Michigan average with respect to both property crimes and violent crimes, and the crime rate in Ann Arbor is significantly lower than the Michigan average.

According to records recently compiled by the Michigan State Police, there were a total of 26,365 criminal offense reported in Washtenaw County, of which 465 were specifically designated as sex crimes, including the crimes of statutory rape, rape, sexual assault, obscenity, prostitution, and solicitation, as well as other unspecified sex-related offenses. According to these same records, 89 arrests were made in Washtenaw County in relation to these crimes.

You Can Call Grabel & Associates Any Day, at Any Time, for a Free Consultation

When you are in immediate need of legal help regarding a sex crimes charge in Washtenaw County, contact Grabel & Associates. One of our sex crimes defense attorneys will be available to answer your questions at any time of day or night, any day of the week. At the Grabel & Associates law firm, we understand what criminal defendants must endure, and we know that the only way you can regain peace of mind is by knowing that you have someone on your side who can help you get back in control of your life. When you need us, Grabel & Associates will be there.