Houston Criminal AttorneyAttorney Representation in Houston, Texas Since 1989 JUVENILE OFFENSES The Juvenile Justice System deals with adolescent (age 10 to 17 years) misconduct and the need for supervision to respond to the level of the misconduct. The Juvenile Justice System provides for the protection of the public. In so doing, a punishment concept is provided for criminal behavior, including an emphasis on rehabilitation, treatment, and the full interaction of the family to restore the child to their greatest potential. In dealing with punishment for the juvenile offender, a series of sanctions have been designed as guidelines. -
Sanction Level One - counseling for the child, impose reasonable restrictions to prevent repetition of the conduct, family counseling. -
Sanction Level Two - deferred prosecution for 90 to 180 days, restitution to victim, community service if appropriate. -
Sanction Level Three - Probation for not less than 6 to 12 months, restitution to victim and/or community service, close monitoring of the child's behavior. -
Sanction Level Four - place the child in a regimented program emphasizing academic physical and social responsibility for not less than 3 to 12 months as a condition of probation; after release from the program an additional 6 to 12 months of supervision. -
Sanction Level Five - place the child in a post-adjudication facility for 6 to 12 months as a condition of probation; after release from the facility, continued supervision for 6 to 12 months. -
Sanction Level Six - the Court may commit the child to a Texas Youth Commission (TYC) facility. This is an indeterminate commitment and the TYC can maintain custody of the offender until the age of 21 or the Court may place the child in a structured residential program for not less than 9 to 24 months. -
Section Level Seven - The Juvenile Court may certify that the child be transferred to the jurisdiction of a District Criminal Court (Adult) age 14 or older if the offense is a capital or First Degree Felony or age 15 years or older if the offense ranges from a State Jail Felony to Second Degree Felony The Juvenile Court can sentence the child to commitment in a TYC facility or place the child on probation for up to 10 years. Attorney Practice Areas:
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult a Houston criminal attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
Copyright © 2008 by Alan Cohen. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.
| 
