Criminal Law: Juvenile Matters
Texas Juvenile Defense Lawyer
Like adults, children can become involved in criminal activity and must have their rights protected by an experienced attorney. Representing clients in and around the Collin County and Dallas County areas, juvenile law attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael D. Curran & Donald R. McDermitt have the knowledge and skill to protect the rights of minors charged with crimes. Contact our law firm online or call 972-569-8484 to set up a free initial consultation regarding your case.
Our juvenile defense law firm handles all aspects of juvenile law including detention hearings, trials, sentencing, probation, and juvenile programs. We have extensive experience representing the rights of children who have been detained for delinquent conduct.
Definition of a child: In the state of Texas, a criminally responsible child is defined as someone between the ages of 10 years and 17, with few exceptions. Our state’s policy is that the vast majority of children who commit crimes should have their cases handled by the juvenile courts.
Definition of delinquent conduct: Delinquent conduct is the legal name for crimes committed by children between the ages of 10 and 17. If your child is younger than 10, he or she will typically not be considered criminally responsible. Once a young person turns 17, he or she is considered an adult.
Under most circumstances, when a young person is defined as a child, behavior is considered delinquent, rather than criminal. This is because the juvenile justice system’s intended function is to reform and rehabilitate troubled young people, not mark them as criminals.
Cases our lawyers handle often involve children
charged with crimes such as:
- underage alcohol consumption
- theft/auto theft
- criminal mischief
- assault
- sex crimes
- unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
- skipping school / truancy
- running away from home
- staying out after curfew
- underage alcohol consumption or possession
- drug use
- arson
- assault and battery
- shoplifting or theft
- gang-related activities
- trespassing
- sexual misconduct
In most cases, juvenile charges carry serious consequences and require the skill of an experienced lawyer to ensure that the child’s rights are protected. Many families fail to realize the serious nature of juvenile petitions, so they don’t speak with an attorney familiar with the intricacies of Texas juvenile law. Many families assume a family law attorney can best handle these matters because Texas juvenile crime is handled in family court. This assumption is simply incorrect.
Consulting with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney is always a family’s best option when protecting juvenile rights.
If juvenile matters are not handled with care, the case may be eligible for transfer and your child could be prosecuted as an adult. Even small infractions on your child’s criminal record may prevent acceptance at a university or college, or make it difficult for your child to find meaningful employment.
Contact our juvenile criminal defense law firm to set up a free consultation concerning your child’s situation. Our firm is ready to take fast action on your child’s behalf. Evening and weekend appointments are available for your convenience. We accept all major credit cards.