Your child is facing a juvenile petition in Macomb or Oakland County?
Juvenile Defense Attorney in Macomb & Oakland County
Take a breath. This page is for you, the parent. Your child made a mistake, or is accused of one, and now there is a court involved, and you are lying awake doing the math on how one bad decision at fifteen could follow them at twenty-five. Somewhere under the fear, you may even be asking what you did wrong.
Start here: your child is not a bad kid, and you are not a bad parent. Good kids from good families end up in juvenile court every week. A petition is not a conviction, and Michigan's juvenile system is built differently than adult court. Its stated purpose is rehabilitation, not punishment, and that difference creates real options for keeping this from defining your child's future.
The record is the fight. School, scholarships, jobs, the military: what happens in the next few months decides what follows your child into adulthood and what does not.
Scott treats juvenile cases with the care he would want for his own family. He will sit down with you and your child, explain in plain language what the petition means and how the process works, and give you an honest assessment of where things stand. Scott knows what is actually riding on this: your child's record, their future, and who they get the chance to become. His job is the best outcome their case allows, and he treats it that way.
Call Now — (586) 243-4140A live person answers 24/7. Your first consultation is free. Just call, and Scott takes it from there.
Understanding the Charge
Michigan's juvenile justice system handles cases involving minors (under 17) who are accused of criminal offenses — including Minor in Possession (MIP), vandalism, retail fraud, assault, and more. The system is designed to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, but the consequences can still be severe — including detention, probation, and in serious cases, waiver to adult court.
Juvenile proceedings are handled in family court and are generally confidential. However, certain serious offenses can result in a juvenile being tried as an adult, which carries all the penalties of the adult criminal justice system.
Beyond the courtroom, Scott also serves as a school discipline attorney — representing students facing suspension and expulsion hearings throughout Macomb County, Oakland County, and surrounding areas. Even when no criminal charges are filed, a school disciplinary action can derail a student's education, college prospects, and future. Scott advocates for students and families in these hearings, fighting to prevent expulsions and protect their academic record.
Scott understands the unique dynamics of juvenile cases. He works closely with families to navigate both the justice system and the school system, advocates for rehabilitation over punishment, and fights to keep your child's record sealed so they can move forward with their life.
Free initial consultation — ask questions and learn your options before you commit to anything.
What Scott does for your child
- ✓Works toward rehabilitation, diversion, and record sealing, so a mistake does not follow your child for life.
- ✓Knows how waiver to adult court happens and works to keep your child's case in the juvenile system.
- ✓Represents students in school discipline and expulsion hearings, not just the court case.
- ✓Focuses on protecting your child's education and future job prospects, not only the charge in front of you.
Potential Penalties
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Minor Offense (e.g., Vandalism) | Probation, community service, counseling, possible detention |
| Moderate Offense (e.g., Retail Fraud) | Intensive probation, restitution, possible placement in juvenile facility |
| Serious Offense (e.g., Assault) | Long-term detention, residential treatment, possible adult court waiver |
| Waiver to Adult Court | Adult criminal penalties including jail or prison, permanent adult criminal record |
| School Discipline (Expulsion Hearing) | Long-term suspension, expulsion, permanent notation on academic record |
Free initial consultation — get clear guidance on what you are up against and what to do next.
Why people rely on Rabaut
A name these courthouses already know
Scott is a second-generation defense attorney, nine years into his own practice. He clerked for his father, Stephen T. Rabaut, a respected Southeast Michigan criminal defense attorney who has defended the rights of Michigan residents for decades.
He has seen it from every side
Scott worked in loss prevention, at the Michigan Department of Corrections, and as an extern with the prosecutor's office. He knows how the other side builds a case.
Criminal defense is all he does
Scott practices criminal defense only, never a general practice. His full-time focus stays on your charges.
You sit down with Scott
The person who hears your story is the person who handles your case.
Start with a free conversation
Your first consultation costs nothing. A straight answer about where you stand from someone who does this every day, not a guess from Google or advice from a friend.
Flat-fee pricing, no surprises
You know your full fee up front. No surprise invoices later.
24/7 live answer
Day or night, your call reaches a real person, not a recording.
A real conversation, and an honest assessment.
Some lawyers will say whatever it takes to get you in the door. Scott will not. When you sit down with him, he tells you the truth about your case: what is possible, what is likely, and what it will take to get there. If he is the right person to defend you, he will say so. If he is not, he will tell you that too.
This is your future. You deserve someone who is honest with you from the very first call.
Call Now — (586) 243-4140Frequently Asked Questions
The Right Move Is the One You Make Right Now.
Every day that passes without the right attorney in your corner is a day the other side uses to build their case.
Free initial consultation
Prefer to Call?
A live person answers every call — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(586) 243-4140Law Offices of Scott E. Rabaut
38600 Van Dyke Ave., Suite 200
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Callback within 24 hours — sooner when urgency requires it.