In Michigan, children under the age of 17 who commit crimes are handled in Juvenile Court. If the teenager is 17 or older he/she is treated as an adult.

The Prosecutor and the Court have several options in handling junveniles charged with serious crimes. The juvenile can be handled in Juvenile Court or treated as an adult.

Susan Dehncke was a Juvenile Court Prosecutor for four years and now teaches college courses on the Juvenile Justice System.