What to Do When Your Juvenile Has Been Charged With a Crime

A Brief Overview of the Texas Juvenile Justice System.

In Texas, the courts treat juvenile crime quite differently from adult crime. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is the agency that governs the system. Additionally, the courts will usually approach every juvenile case with the goal of rehabilitation rather than punishment. But you must understand that this doesn’t mean the process is lenient or forgiving, especially if your child has been charged with serious offenses.

First, you must know who is considered a juvenile in Texas. In Texas, a juvenile is a child between the ages of 10 and 16. If your child is 17, they are usually considered adults for criminal prosecution purposes and treated as such. There are certain severe circumstances, however, in which juveniles as young as 14 can be mandated by the courts to stand trial as adults.

The court recognizes numerous types of juvenile offenses; they can range from minor misdemeanors like shoplifting or truancy to serious felonies like aggravated assault, drug trafficking, and even sexual offenses. Of course, the more severe the charge, the more critical it becomes for your child and you to secure immediate, experienced, and passionate legal counsel so that your lawyer gets ahead of the prosecution and helps your child in the best legal way possible.

Your aggressive and knowledgeable juvenile crimes defense lawyer can often use numerous strategies to improve the possible outcome of your child’s case.

Just a few of these strategies may include:

• Possibly deferment of prosecution.
• Various types of probation.
• Court-ordered programs and community service.
• Ensure that they’re placed in a juvenile detention facility.
• Avoid certification as an adult in certain extreme cases, and more.

Your lawyer will immediately analyze the charges against your child and help you fully understand the precise nature and seriousness of the charges against them; this is the first critical step toward planning an effective legal strategy.

Why Is It Critical to Act Quickly and Secure Experienced Legal Representation?

You must understand that when dealing with the Texas Juvenile Justice System, time is not on your or your child’s side. Your first step should be to contact a qualified, experienced, and passionate juvenile defense lawyer as soon as your child has been arrested or detained.

You should never hesitate, as most juvenile cases move very quickly, usually faster than adult criminal cases, and early intervention can significantly impact the outcome of your case.

Just a few of the main reasons for working with a juvenile defense lawyer are:

• Protection of your child’s rights – Juveniles still have constitutional rights, but they can also be highly vulnerable when interrogated or going through court proceedings. A knowledgeable and empathetic juvenile defense lawyer ensures law enforcement respects their rights.
• Navigating the complex court procedures – The juvenile justice process includes intake, detention hearings, adjudication, disposition phases, and more. Each step has its unique legal implications.
• Your lawyer can advocate for rehabilitation – A skilled lawyer can advocate for alternative programs such as counseling, diversion, or community service instead of jail time.
• Always attempt to avoid adult certification – If the charge is a serious felony, prosecutors may seek to have your child tried as an adult. A strong, sound, diligent legal defense can fight this move and keep the case in juvenile court.

Your lawyer will also ensure you and your child understand that you should always avoid speaking to police or investigators without legal counsel present; even seemingly innocent statements can be misinterpreted and used against a child.

You and Your Lawyer Must Always Support Your Child and Stay Involved In Their Case!

When your child is facing criminal charges, it’s always a traumatic situation. Your child will be scared, ashamed, angry, or even shut down entirely. As their parent, your involvement, emotional support, and compassionate attitude will play a vital role in their case’s legal and personal outcome.

Just some of the numerous ways you can help them are:

• Always attend every court appearance – Showing up demonstrates your child has a stable support system.
• Always cooperate with probation officers, caseworkers, etc. – They will be called upon to provide assessments or recommendations that influence the court’s decisions.
• Encourage your child’s participation in court-recommended programs – Judges are more inclined to show leniency if a child actively engages in rehabilitation efforts.
• Monitor their behavior and enforce boundaries – The Texas juvenile courts want a commitment from the child’s family to help prevent future offenses.
• Ensure you provide emotional support – Reassure your child that their mistakes don’t define their entire future and that you will work together to move forward.

Make Sure You Both Understand the Long-Term Consequences of a Conviction and Work Toward Sealing Their Record.

Most parents believe that any juvenile records their child has are automatically sealed when a child turns 18; this is a common myth and not usually true. Most juvenile records in Texas are not automatically sealed, and having an unsealed record will create lasting obstacles for your child to overcome, such as:

• Difficulty applying to the college of their choice.
• Trouble obtaining solid and high-paying employment.
• They could be ineligible for specific professional licenses or possibly benefits.
• Lasting damage to their reputation, self-esteem, and future life.

However, by working with a skilled, aggressive, diligent juvenile criminal lawyer, they will always attempt to petition the court to seal your child’s record as long as specific criteria are met.

For example, your child must complete their sentence, community service, or other court-mandated options. They must keep their record clean, thus demonstrating their rehabilitation, etc.

By having their records sealed, most employers, landlords, schools, credit agencies, and others cannot access the information, thus allowing your child a genuine second chance.

Additionally, if your child is being charged with a felony and faces possible certification as an adult, the stakes are significantly higher. If they’re convicted as adults, their record carries permanent consequences, including the possibility of incarceration in the adult system. In these cases, highly competent, knowledgeable, and aggressive legal defense by a well-versed juvenile criminal defense lawyer is essential.

My Child Has Been Arrested and Charged with a Crime; How Should I Proceed?

The wise and prudent thing to do is to immediately obtain the professional legal help you need. Also, ensure you choose an experienced Texas juvenile defense lawyer who’s empathetic and passionate about protecting children’s futures. At the Law Offices of Seymour & Vaughn, they fight tirelessly for second chances, reduced charges, alternative sentencing, and the sealing of your child’s records; they deeply and passionately believe that one mistake shouldn’t define a young life.

The well-versed juvenile defense lawyers at Seymour & Vaughn thoroughly understand that a juvenile charge affects not only your child but your entire family, and they will also never hesitate to go to trial if your child’s defense mandates it.

If your child has been charged with a crime in Texas, never hesitate to call them today at (830) 282-8751 and schedule a free consultation on your child’s unique case; the sooner you act, the better they can protect your child’s rights and future.