Making mistakes is part of growing up, and most teens will make some errors in judgment at one point or another. In some situations, a mistake that your teen makes can lead to juvenile delinquency charges.
The following are some of the common juvenile allegations in Texas. We hope your child never gets into trouble with the law, but if they do, do not wait to contact a Plano juvenile defense attorney for help. Your child’s future is on the line, so you need professional defense representation right away.
Common Offenses by Juveniles
Some juvenile delinquency charges are more in line with childhood mischief than criminal offenses, and these include:
- School-related allegations, including cheating or disrupting class
- Disorderly conduct, including mooning or flashing others, streaking, or obscene language
- Criminal nuisance, such as ‘TPing’ houses, egging cars, or damaging mailboxes
- Traffic violations, such as speeding, texting while driving, or not wearing a seat belt
- False alarm reporting, which can include making false threats against a school or pulling a fire alarm
- Loitering in a restricted area
Some types of misconduct are referred to as “status offenses,” and these are only violations of the law because of a juvenile’s age. An adult cannot face status offense allegations, and these might be:
- Tobacco or alcohol possession
- Truancy from school
- Running away from home
- Violating curfew set by the law
All of the above delinquency charges and status offenses are usually viewed as relatively minor and handled in the Texas juvenile justice system. However, your child can still face consequences, so you want a defense attorney with experience handling these matters in juvenile court. Often, with the right legal help, your child can face punishments geared toward rehabilitation and learning a lesson, rather than penalties that can impact their entire future.
Criminal Offenses by Juveniles
Sometimes, juvenile allegations can be more serious, as they are violations of the Texas Penal Code. Some common charges include:
- Theft and shoplifting
- Joyriding (unauthorized use of a vehicle)
- Vandalism
- Trespassing
- Fraud
- Harassment or stalking
- Assault
- Firearm or weapon possession
- Reckless endangerment
- Drug possession or distribution
- Sexual assault
- Robbery
- Manslaughter
- Murder
This is far from an exhaustive list of criminal allegations a juvenile might face in Texas.
Normally, juveniles between ages 10 and 16 will have their case handled in juvenile court. However, if it is a particularly serious offense, the prosecution might seek to transfer the case to adult criminal court or have your case ‘indicted’ by the Grand Jury so it remains a juvenile matter, but can be punished as an adult. The cases are called ‘Determinate Sentence’ Cases or ‘D40’, since the punishment can range up to 40 years in adult prison. This means that your juvenile will be treated like any other adult defendant and, if convicted, they will face adult penalties. This can include spending time in Texas state prison with adult inmates, even though they are only 16 or 17 years old.
Speak with a Plano Juvenile Defense Lawyer
No matter what allegations your child faces, you want defense assistance from the law firm of J. Michael Price II. Contact us online or call 214-765-8000 to discuss the situation you’re facing and how we might help. We’re ready to protect your child’s rights.