A criminal record can jeopardize anyone’s future, especially a juvenile. The main goal of the juvenile justice system in Sugar Land TX is to rehabilitate juvenile offenders to prevent the future repetition of the crime. With an experienced criminal defense attorney that specializes in defending juvenile cases, juvenile offenders could see their criminal records wiped clean, resulting in more positive results for their future.
If you are a juvenile yourself or your child has been arrested for a crime, contact The Love DuCote Law Firm LLC. By contacting our law office on 832-843-1691 as soon as possible, we can begin building a strong defense case to ensure a more successful experience in juvenile court. Our law firm prides itself on building a strong attorney-client relationship to ensure our clients put their faith in our criminal defense attorneys.
We cover Sugar Land, TX, and the surrounding Fort Bend county area.
How Old Are Juveniles In Texas?
In Texas, anyone under the age of 17 can be tried in juvenile court. Within the Texas Juvenile Court System, there are skilled and experienced judges for juvenile cases and juvenile detention centers for minors that have been convicted of a crime.
Furthermore, all convictions of a minor are sealed, meaning there is no public access to these criminal records. There is one such exception: if a juvenile is arrested, then the school administration is informed to prevent the minor from being disciplined for truancy as a result of their arrest.
Juvenile Statistics In Texas
In Texas, there are around 50,000 juvenile offenses each year, according to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. For many juvenile offenders, their local juvenile departments support them. The more extreme juvenile offenses are referred to the Juvenile Justice Department. These types of offenses are primarily felony offenses.
The Support Provided By The Juvenile Justice System
The Texas Juvenile Justice System is quite different from the criminal law justice system, as its very nature is to provide protection for the public as well as rehabilitate, train, and treat the juvenile offenders that are within its system. In addition, there is a lot of work to emphasize the accountability and responsibility for the child and their parents.
Data from recent years have shown a decrease in admissions to the juvenile system. However, any admission of a child offender into the system is a cause for concern. Statistics across the United States show that a child who has entered the criminal law system is likely to repeat this behavior as an adult, as well as a reduced likelihood of achieving their education and more likely to earn a low income.
Can A Juvenile Offender Be Treated Like An Adult Offender?
There are some more serious cases where a juvenile could be charged as an adult in an adult court. These juvenile crimes tend to be felonies that are particularly violent crimes. A prosecutor in the child’s case will decide if they should be tried as an adult.
The biggest difference between being charged as an adult or a juvenile is that juveniles may serve their jail time in an adult facility should they be tried as an adult. In addition, they can be given life sentences however, this is often combined with some probation time too.
When a prosecutor is deciding whether to try a juvenile as an adult, the process can be lengthy and complex. They normally consider multiple factors, including the juvenile’s maturity, the nature of the juvenile’s crime, and any prior criminal records.
The Criminal Sentencing For Juveniles
When a child is arrested, it is natural for the family to have many questions about the process within a juvenile court. A juvenile defense lawyer will have plenty of legal experience within the criminal justice system to support your family and their future.
Each individual case is treated differently by the court and therefore the sentencing of a crime depends upon its severity and the juvenile’s previous criminal record. In some cases, a juvenile can be sentenced to community service combined with therapy to prevent future repetitions of juvenile crimes.
In addition, a juvenile can receive ‘deferred prosecution’ that is similar to probation, lasting around 6 months. In some other cases of juvenile crimes, they may be sentenced to serve time in a detention center for juveniles.
The Rules Of Juvenile Probation
When a juvenile is given probation, this often occurs within their home or in another facility, for some juveniles, this can take place in a foster home and this probation can be extended until the juvenile turns 18. In many cases, when a juvenile is given probation, this is in combination with mandatory community service as well.
In these circumstances, the best opportunity for success is to hire a defense attorney specializing in juvenile cases. At The Love DuCote Law Firm LLC, we can support your child’s future whilst explaining the process and possible outcomes.
Examples Of Juvenile Crimes And How They Impact Juveniles
Juvenile crimes are much like those committed by adults; serious bodily harm, sexual crimes, or crimes involving drugs. Juveniles with alcohol and drug addictions face far greater difficulties than adults living with the same addictions. This is due to juveniles’ brains not yet being fully formed and struggling to wean off addictive substances. Every child deserves to evolve into adulthood as a sober individual that is prepared to succeed in life.
Below are some crimes that juveniles can be convicted for:
- Traffic crimes – includes driving without a license, driving while intoxicated, hit and runs, and reckless driving. If another person is seriously injured as a result of the crime, the consequences are far greater.
- Violent crimes – assault and battery, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon on school grounds, and the unlawful possession of a weapon/ firearm.
- Drug-related crimes – this is the juvenile possession of controlled substances such as drugs or alcohol. The possession of these substances whilst on school grounds and the possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Marijuana-related drug crimes – this is the possession of marijuana, selling or transporting to sell marijuana. Depending upon the amount of marijuana found, this can become a felony crime.
- Juvenile damage to property – this can include theft, Aaron, vandalism, dealing stolen property, and shoplifting.
- Juvenile sexual crimes – similarly to the sex crimes committed by an adult, this includes sexual assault, indecent exposure, sexual battery, lewd and lascivious behavior, or sexting. In addition, this can include a sexually motivated crime committed by a juvenile against the younger victim.
Contact Us For An Experienced Sugar Land, TX Criminal Defense Attorney Today
A child’s arrest can be daunting, which is why it is recommended to enlist the help of a juvenile defense attorney. Whatever the crime that arrest is for, our attorneys will be able to support your child’s individual case. If your child is facing criminal charges, contact The Love DuCote Law Firm LLC to book an initial consultation and find out how we can protect your child’s future.
Call today on 832-843-1691, our team includes a former prosecutor, and a number of attorneys who are at the top of their field.
