Denton Criminal Lawyer

Juvenile Justice Process

If your child has had interactions with law enforcement and is facing the prospect of being charged with a crime, you may be wondering what the legal process might be like. This will depend on the seriousness of the alleged offense and may be influenced by whether or not this is the youth’s first charge or not. There are many variables in how juvenile cases are handled but the following information should serve as a general guide.

The Importance of Local Courts

In Texas, as in other states, juvenile courts are county-based, so that most juveniles are able to handle their legal issues close to home. Each county has a juvenile board, and proceedings are handled by either the county or district attorney’s offices. In most cases, any consequences of the case will be carried out by the county’s juvenile probation department.

The Process

Some of the basic steps that could occur if your child interacts with police include the following:

• Police decide whether or not to refer to a county juvenile court.
• The court may decide that the offense is not serious and choose to deal with it informally. The youth will be sent home, though there may be ongoing requirements for him or her.
• The juvenile could be charged, and this could result in probation or being sent to the Texas Youth Commission.
• In rare, very serious cases, the local district attorney may choose to charge the youth as an adult.

Juvenile cases can seriously impact the lives of youth and their families, no matter the outcome. A good criminal defense lawyer can assist your family in understanding and navigating the juvenile justice system.

Contact Us

These cases can have lifelong consequences for you and your child. Contact the Denton juvenile crime lawyers of Alexander & Associates at 972-420-6560 for the legal assistance and representation you need.