Having been a high school teacher, I remember that my students always talked about their rights.
Actually, their rights are limited. For example, the school's right to search and seize, such as opening lockers or opening trunks of cars and seizing belongings is a common incident on today's school campuses. Because of the danger presented to other students, the school's authority is broad, and the juvenile does not have the full protection of the fourth amendment of the Constitution.
At the Law Office of Judy Harris Meeh, P.C., we understand that when a juvenile is accused of a crime or delinquent conduct, it can have a significant impact on his or her immediate life, as well as on his or her future. A juvenile criminal record can make it difficult for a child to be accepted into college, join the military, or obtain a job, but an attorney experienced in this area of law can help your child avoid these and other consequences.
Understanding the Juvenile Justice System
The Texas Family Code defines a "child" as someone who is ten years of age but under age 17. According to the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, in 2006 over 140,000 juveniles were arrested for a juvenile crime or delinquent conduct. Of those arrests, over 100,000 of them were referred to juvenile probation departments.
Juvenile cases involve both civil and criminal aspects. Unlike adult criminal cases, the Texas juvenile courts treat juvenile offenders as people who need rehabilitation instead of criminal punishment. Therefore, juveniles are not "convicted" of a crime, but are found to have engaged in delinquent conduct.
Additionally, when a child has been arrested, he or she is not released on bail or bond. Juvenile offenders are either detained or released to their parents' custody. In deciding whether to detain or release the child, the court considers several factors. It is important to consult with an attorney experienced in juvenile matters so that your child has the best chance of being released into custody.
As a former teacher and current amicus attorney appointed by the courts to protect the best interests of children involved in legal proceedings, Ms. Meeh understands the unique challenges your child faces when accused of a delinquent conduct, and is committed to helping him or her navigate the juvenile justice system.
Juvenile Offenses Carry Serious Punishments
Depending on the offense that was committed, Texas imposes strict punishments. To ensure consistent and uniform punishments, Texas adopted the Progressive Sanctions Model, which assigns punishment levels depending on the severity of the offense. Punishments can range from court-ordered counseling and informing the parents that they need to closely monitor the child's behavior in Sanction Level One to detention for a minimum of 12 months, parole for a minimum of 12 months, and restitution for the victim of the conduct in Sanction Level Seven.
If your child has been charged with delinquent conduct, it is critical that you seek experienced legal counsel as soon as possible to ensure your child's rights are protected. At the Law Office of Judy Harris Meeh, P.C., we are experienced in defending juveniles accused of a wide variety of delinquent conduct, including property damage and vandalism, and can defend juveniles' privacy rights with respect to searches of their school lockers or other property, and ensure that juveniles' records are adequately sealed to protect their future success. To schedule a free initial consultation regarding your case, contact us today.
