Fort Worth, TX Juvenile Crimes Defense Attorney

Caring Attorney for Juvenile Offenses in Fort Worth, TX

When a child is charged with a criminal offense in Texas, a specific set of legal proceedings will be used to determine whether they may be considered delinquent. Many of these cases are handled in juvenile court, but in some circumstances, minors can be prosecuted in adult court. If your child's future has been threatened by a criminal charge, a Fort Worth juvenile crimes lawyer can help.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we defend clients accused of both violent and non-violent crimes. We can defend your child in court, exploring different defense strategies to keep the case out of adult court and minimize any possible legal consequences.

An Overview of Juvenile Crimes

In Texas, anyone older than 10 but younger than 17 who is accused of a crime can be charged in juvenile court. In juvenile court, there is a greater focus on rehabilitation, treatment, and guidance rather than punishment.

A sentence in juvenile court might involve commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), which gives children recreational opportunities, training in life skills, and the opportunity to mature, all in order to reduce the risk of reoffending as an adult. Alternatively, a judge might sentence a child to probation if the offense does not merit serious rehabilitation.

In many cases, a child's juvenile record will be sealed when they turn 19, with exceptions made for some serious offenses. A sealed juvenile record is not available to the public, but certain authorities like prosecutors, law enforcement, and schools may be able to access a child's juvenile record.

Common Juvenile Offenses

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can defend minors accused of various offenses, such as:

• Property Crimes: We can represent children accused of crimes involving other people's property, such as burglary, vandalism, or theft.
• Violent Crimes: Our firm can handle juvenile cases of assault and weapons crimes.
• Drug Charges: We can take on charges of DWI, drug possession, and other similar offenses in juvenile court.

Before a juvenile charge is taken to the courts, the minor must first go through a detention hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to determine whether the child should be released or kept in juvenile detention until the court hearing. If the juvenile is a flight risk or poses a danger to other people, they might not be released.

At the adjudication hearing, a judge will determine whether or not the juvenile committed an offense, with a final ruling of either "true" or "not true." If the court finds the allegations to be true, then a disposition hearing will be scheduled to determine the sentence. At that point, the judge will decide whether to sentence the juvenile to commitment at the TJJD, treatment, probation, or other remedies.

When Do Juveniles Go to Adult Court?

In some cases, a judge may waive juvenile court for a child who has committed a criminal offense. If the child is at least 14, then they could be tried in adult court for a capital or first-degree felony. At 15 years or older, the child can be moved to adult court for any felony offense. Before making a decision to prosecute a child as an adult, the courts will consider the child's background and level of maturity. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we will fight hard to keep your child within juvenile court to avoid the long-term impact of a criminal conviction.

Meet With a Fort Worth, Texas Juvenile Crimes Attorney Today

The outcome of a juvenile case could play a major role in your child's future and their ability to develop into a functioning adult. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, our Tarrant County juvenile defense lawyer can represent your child in court and advocate for the best possible outcome. Call our offices at 817-732-6392 or contact us online for a free consultation today.