Frisco Juvenile Delinquency Attorney

Representing Juveniles Accused of Crimes in Texas


When you learn that your child has been arrested or accused of a crime, it is natural to be concerned and have many questions. Will they go to jail? Will their future be impacted by a criminal record? What can you do to help?

The answers to the first two questions will depend on the specific circumstances of your child’s case. The answer to the last question is that you can contact a Texas juvenile delinquency lawyer as soon as possible to defend your child and their rights. Contact the Law Office of Brent D. Bowen, PLLC, as soon as possible for help.

The Juvenile Justice System

In Texas, minors who are 16 or younger are considered to be juveniles. Most cases involving juveniles are handled through the juvenile justice system instead of the adult criminal justice system. There are key differences in procedures and goals of the juvenile system, such as a much greater focus on rehabilitative measures for the juvenile rather than purely punitive measures. While this often means community service and other programs as punishment, there is still the possibility your child can be sentenced to detention for more serious or repeat offenses.

The penalties your child might face if they plead guilty or are adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile judge will depend on the severity of the offense and other factors. Some penalties can include:

  • Costly fines (there are not fines in juvenile courts only justice of the peace or municipal courts for class C misdemeanors which are fine only)
  • Strict terms of probation
  • Community service
  • Time in a detention facility
  • Time in a placement facility like Boot Camp or rehabilitation facility

Generally juvenile courts requires parents to seek representation for the juvenile. A parent cannot represent a child in these proceedings. Your child should never plead to charges without speaking with an experienced defense attorney first. There are often many ways to defend against the charges at issue, just as an adult defendant would present a defense in criminal court.

There is also the possibility that your child might be charged as an adult for certain serious offenses. In this situation, it is critical to have defense representation as soon as possible. This is because if your child is convicted as an adult, they might have to serve time in the adult prison system. Our law firm does everything in our power to prevent this situation.

Common Juvenile Offenses

There are different levels of offenses for juveniles, as some offenses are only unlawful due to their age, while others would qualify as crimes if an adult committed them. Some offenses include:

  • Status offenses – These are offenses based on your child’s juvenile status, and can include truancy, tobacco violations, curfew violations, and more.
  • Misdemeanors – Juveniles often face misdemeanor criminal offenses, which might include crimes like petty theft, simple assault, vandalism, marijuana possession or even driving while intoxicated.
  • Felonies – Juveniles can face felony charges as well, such as sexual assault, aggravated assault, possession or sale of narcotics, threats at school, manslaughter, or murder.

Contact a Frisco Juvenile Delinquency Lawyer for Help Right Away

No matter whether your child is accused of a status offense or a criminal offense, you want to do everything you can to prevent them from having a criminal record. Your first call should be to a Texas juvenile defense attorney at the Law Office of Brent D. Bowen, PLLC. Call 940-222-2488 or contact us online as soon as you can.