Juvenile Law
When a
juvenile is accused of a crime, the
criminal process is very different than in adult court.
The
juvenile crime is called an act of
delinquency and requires juvenile court intervention to
correct the delinquency. The following types of behavior
often subject juveniles to juvenile court jurisdiction
in Texas:
- Underage alcohol consumption or possession
- Drug use
- Arson
- Traffic violations, including speeding and
driving without a license
- Assault and battery
- Shoplifting or theft
- Gang-related activities
- Trespassing
- Sexual misconduct
Texas juvenile courts have their own
special rules and procedures. Juvenile rights in court
are different than adult rights. For example, in many
cases juveniles do not have a right to a public court
proceeding. Notwithstanding these differences, juveniles
are entitled to receive full notice of all charges
against them, the right to a fair hearing, and the right
to confront witnesses. Not only are the rules and
procedures different from adult court, but defense
strategies in these cases require special considerations
that are unique to juvenile law, including the options
available at sentencing. Depending on the offense,
punishments may vary from probation to incarceration in
a Texas Youth Commission detention facility.
I
know juvenile law and ensure that the rights of our
juvenile clients are fully protected in court. I advise
clients in areas ranging from truancy violations to
violent felony-level offenses that end up in adult
court, and handle issues involving:
- Adjudication Hearings
- Disposition Hearings
- Detention Hearings
- Certification Hearings
- Court and Jury Trials
- Sentencing
- Probation
- Juvenile Stipulations
- Juvenile Programs
- Revocation / Denial Of Driver's License
- Expunctions
Criminal accusations involving juveniles
MUST
receive the same level of attention as adult criminal
charges. Juvenile laws are located in the Texas Family
Code, however, simply hiring family law attorneys to
represent them in juvenile court may be a huge mistake.
Click here to read
more about recent changes to the Texas juvenile law.
