In Texas, Juvenile Records Are 'Somewhat' Sealed
Juvenile offenses are hybrid cases under Texas law and apply only when the accused is under the age of 17. While the charges are criminal in nature, they are separate and handled under family code. The emphasis in juvenile cases is on rehabilitation, not on punishment. However, if the case is serious enough, the court can certify your child as an adult and he or she will be tried in adult court and face adult consequences.
If your child has been charged with a criminal offense, your child could face serious consequences. To protect your child's future, you should always discuss the charges with a lawyer who understands the juvenile justice system.
Brazoria County criminal defense attorney Thad Davis defends children who face all types of criminal charges including DWI, under-aged drinking, assault, sex crimes, theft and burglary.
Long-Term Consequences of Juvenile Delinquency
Children under the age of 17 are not found guilty of criminal charges as in adult court. Instead, they adjudicated of delinquency in a juvenile proceeding. The records of that adjudication are somewhat sealed. However, law enforcement and the military will have access to your child's juvenile records.
As a parent, you may be tempted to let your child face the music if he or she is arrested. However, a finding of delinquency can keep your child out of the military or cause him/her to face suspension or expulsion from school. It can also result in harsher treatment of your child if he or she is arrested as an adult. To protect your child's future, it's important to keep his or her record as clear as possible.
Procedures in Juvenile Cases
Many of the procedures in juvenile cases are there to protect your child's rights. If your child's rights have been violated, attorney Davis can try to negotiate substantially lower charges or seek dismissal of charges against your child.
In Texas, parents must be notified before a child can be questioned in front of a judge. Children cannot be held more than 48 hours without a detention hearing.
For more information about the effect a criminal charge may have on your child's life: Call juvenile defense lawyer Thad Davis at 866-503-1214 or fill out the contact form on this site. The Law Office of Thad Davis, PLLC is located in Lake Jackson in Brazoria County, Texas.
