Have Your Child Been Classified as a Juvenile Delinquent?
Looney Smith Conrad & Hefti P.C., Criminal Defense Law Firm
Houston Juvenile Delinquency Attorneys
Since 1995 criminal defense trial attorney Paul Looney has litigated
60 criminal jury trials with zero final convictions
What is Juvenile Delinquency?
Juvenile delinquency is participation in an act that, if committed by an adult, could result in imprisonment or jail confinement. “Juvenile” is a person at least 10 years old but not yet 17 at the time the act was committed.
A juvenile delinquent is a person under the age of majority who commits an act otherwise charged as a crime if the person was an adult or over the age of majority. In some cases, murder for example, the person could be tried as an adult.
Types of Juvenile Delinquency
- Delinquency
- Crimes committed by minors, which are dealt with by the juvenile courts.
- Criminal Behavior
- Crimes dealt with by the criminal justice system.
- Status Offenses
- Offenses that are only classified as such because one is minor. Such offenses include truancy, smoking under age, drinking under age, and driving underage.
Protections for Juveniles with Houston Juvenile Delinquency Attorneys
Persons under the age of majority receive special considerations and protections. These special considerations and protections include:
- Juvenile court system
- Non-disclosure of crimes
- Age of diminished capacity (lacking understanding of consequences, right/wrong, and criminal intent)
- Under the age of majority
- Separation of adult criminals and juveniles
Although juveniles have these protections, any or all protections can be removed based upon the severity of the crime.
Adjudication of Juvenile Offenses
Unlike adult offenses, juvenile cases are handled in juvenile court under civil proceedings.
Texas juvenile law is governed by The Juvenile Justice Code within the Texas family code. Punishments can range from detention, house arrest, juvenile rehabilitation treatment programs, to deferred sentencing as well as actual jail time. Gang-related crimes are examples of cases that can be tried in adult court.
Are you looking for a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Call us today (281) 597-8818 in Houston or (979) 826-8484 in Hempstead.
We are Criminal Lawyers Near 77079 and Criminal Lawyers Near 77445.
When you need a Houston Juvenile Delinquency Attorney, contact
Looney Smith Conrad & Hefti P.C. at 281-597-8818. Text Us: 405-388-6191.
Our experienced Texas Juvenile Delinquency Attorneys are available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a no-obligation case evaluation.
We serve Houston, the State of Texas and the entire United States.
