Understanding how to prepare for legal proceedings can be difficult if the offender is a juvenile. In Texas, juveniles are legally defined as those who are at least 10 years old but not yet 17. There are several key differences between how proceedings work for adults versus juveniles; being aware of them makes it much easier to know what you’re preparing for. In some cases, when the crime is severe enough, an older juvenile may be tried as an adult. This is often the case with juvenile crimes that are particularly violent. In most instances, however, juveniles are tried by a different legal pr ..read more

Juvenile law in Texas can be baffling at times, but all the rules are in place for a reason. Within 48 hours of a juvenile being taken into custody, the authorities must alert the guardian, and a court must hold a detention hearing. The detention hearing decides whether a juvenile is going to be released into his or her guardian’s care or held in a detention center until his or her court appearance. This ruling is separate from the court verdict that will be decided at a later date. Why would a judge send a juvenile to a detention center? Juvenile law doesn’t have a bail system like adult cour ..read more

Many Texas parents wonder if their children can be questioned by the police, especially if they face potential criminal charges or witness a crime. Upon arresting any United States citizen, the police will read them their Miranda rights, telling them that they have the right to remain silent or ask for an attorney before they interrogate them. The question remains, do the same laws apply to juveniles? The short answer is yes, but under certain conditions. Read on to find out. When the parent Is present Suppose you as a parent are present when the police approach your child. In that case, you c ..read more

If you are charged with a crime as a young person, there is a chance that your criminal record will be sealed by Texas authorities when you reach the age of majority. This means that the charge won’t show up on a background check when you apply for a job, a security clearance or an educational program. Do you have to ask for records to be sealed? If you weren’t charged with a crime, any records that you have with a juvenile court in Texas will be automatically sealed when you turn 18. In the event that you were charged with a crime, your records will be automatically sealed at age 19 if you ar ..read more

Depending on the circumstances, Texans under 18 facing criminal trials may be charged as juveniles or adults. Unfortunately, several negative consequences can attach to minors tried as adult defendants. Adult penalties kick in for juvenile crimes The justice system’s punishment and rehabilitation standards differ for juveniles and adults. For example, the Supreme Court of the United States outlawed death penalty sentences for people under 18, and mandatory minimums apply in certain drug-related crimes committed by adults. More difficulties sealing adult records In most cases, juvenile crimes c ..read more

Most juveniles are considered to be between the ages of 10 and 17. There is a long list of offenses that could land a child or teen in juvenile court, which includes violent crimes, vandalism and drug crimes. Many juvenile crimes are often considered to be misdemeanor offenses and don’t come with harsh sentences because of the individual’s age. However, there are still times the child will be tried as an adult depending on the type of crime committed. What crimes are tried in juvenile court? Most offenses that are tried as juvenile crimes are misdemeanors. Truancy, running away, theft and pett ..read more

Juvenile law in Texas can be baffling at times, but all the rules are in place for a reason. Within 48 hours of a juvenile being taken into custody, the authorities must alert the guardian, and a court must hold a detention hearing. The detention hearing decides whether a juvenile is going to be released into his or her guardian’s care or held in a detention center until his or her court appearance. This ruling is separate from the court verdict that will be decided at a later date. Why would a judge send a juvenile to a detention center? Juvenile law doesn’t have a bail system like adult cour ..read more

Many Texas parents wonder if their children can be questioned by the police, especially if they face potential criminal charges or witness a crime. Upon arresting any United States citizen, the police will read them their Miranda rights, telling them that they have the right to remain silent or ask for an attorney before they interrogate them. The question remains, do the same laws apply to juveniles? The short answer is yes, but under certain conditions. Read on to find out. When the parent Is present Suppose you as a parent are present when the police approach your child. In that case, you c ..read more

If you are charged with a crime as a young person, there is a chance that your criminal record will be sealed by Texas authorities when you reach the age of majority. This means that the charge won’t show up on a background check when you apply for a job, a security clearance or an educational program. Do you have to ask for records to be sealed? If you weren’t charged with a crime, any records that you have with a juvenile court in Texas will be automatically sealed when you turn 18. In the event that you were charged with a crime, your records will be automatically sealed at age 19 if you ar ..read more

Depending on the circumstances, Texans under 18 facing criminal trials may be charged as juveniles or adults. Unfortunately, several negative consequences can attach to minors tried as adult defendants. Adult penalties kick in for juvenile crimes The justice system’s punishment and rehabilitation standards differ for juveniles and adults. For example, the Supreme Court of the United States outlawed death penalty sentences for people under 18, and mandatory minimums apply in certain drug-related crimes committed by adults. More difficulties sealing adult records In most cases, juvenile crimes c ..read more