San Antonio Juvenile Defense Lawyer

Texas Juvenile Law

In Texas, a juvenile offense or crime is one that is committed by someone between age 10 and 16.  Every year, about 150,000 children are committed to county juvenile probation departments. The following is standard procedure as to how a juvenile crimes case may be handled:

• Police may warn the child and parents for a minor first offense
• Probation Officers will most likely be notified for more severe cases
• Severe cases are resolved through counseling, treatment, referral to social agencies, or the district attorney may file charges
• If charges are filed by the district attorney, the probation officer will review the situation and report to the judge

If your child is found to have committed an offense, this can then result in the judge ordering either probation for your child or (omitted text) placement in a private treatment facility.  3% of children referred to probation per year are committed to the Texas Youth Commission (TYC). The children that are committed are the most violent offenders and are a risk to the safety of the public, as well as repeat offenders.

There are two types of commitments to the Texas Youth Commission:

• Serious offenders under the Determinate Sentencing Law (law in which a child can be charged as an adult) allows confinement for up to 40 years, first at the TYC and then at a Texas state prison.
• Without a determinate sentence, the Texas Youth Commission will determine the length of your child’s stay, up until the age of 19.

Your child’s juvenile record can follow him/her for the rest of his/her life. It is of the utmost importance that you contact an attorney who is experienced in handling juvenile crime cases. You need an attorney who, in addition to fighting for your child’s rights, will also be able to have your child’s record sealed when he/she is an adult—this can be done sooner in certain cases. Contact San Antonio juvenile defense attorney Tylden Shaeffer today to set up an appointment to discuss your child’s juvenile crimes case and how it is affected by Texas juvenile law. 

Central Texas Juvenile Crimes Attorney

Texas juvenile defense attorney Tylden Shaeffer believes in second chances and just sentences. He will ask the court to allow your child to attend a treatment program instead of being committed and will use his knowledge and experience to ensure your child is treated fairly by the Texas juvenile court system.

Texas juvenile law questions? Contact San Antonio juvenile defense attorney Shaeffer today!