JUVENILE LAW IS NOT CRIMINAL LAW
Juvenile
law is not criminal law. There are fundamental differences between
these two areas of law. Many criminal defense attorneys are not aware of
these differences nor are they aware of the significant ongoing
changes in juvenile law enacted by the Texas legislature. The proper
representation of juveniles is a complex and multi-disciplinary practice
that requires knowledge of both civil and criminal law.
Legal Knowledge Required for Effective Juvenile Representation
A Montgomery County Juvenile Attorney at minimum must have a thorough understanding of the relevant interacting Texas law, including:
- the Juvenile Justice Code,
- the Penal Code,
- the Family Code,
- the Code of Criminal Procedure,
- the Rules of Evidence,
- the Controlled Substances Act, and
- the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Was your child arrested? Contact Conroe Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free confidential consultation.
Evolution of Texas Juvenile Law
Historically,
juvenile law focused on rehabilitation of the youth. However, it is
now an area which also looks toward punishment and, as a result,
juvenile records and adjudications can affect your child for years to
come. Indeed, for the most serious offenses, a child could be made to
stand trial as an adult, and if found guilty could have a criminal
conviction that could follow him the rest of his life. For sex offenses,
juveniles can be made to register as a sex offender until age 28. Even
a misdemeanor offense could affect his future education and
employment.
What is Deferred Prosecution?
Deferred
prosecution (pretrial diversion) may be an option for some. It is a
contractual agreement with the prosecutor that can enable a juvenile to
avoid an adjudication (conviction) on his juvenile record. If a
juvenile fulfills the requirements of a six month deferred prosecution,
then the prosecutor will non-suit (dismiss) the case, and the juvenile
then has the immediate right to petition the court to seal his
records. Even though the prosecutor is opposed to deferred prosecution
in many types of cases, Conroe Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan is
effective in persuading courts to grant deferred prosecution anyway.
Juveniles in Texas Must Be Represented by a Lawyer
Texas
law requires all juveniles in juvenile court to be represented by an
attorney. Great care should be taken in selecting an attorney who can
effectively represent your child in juvenile court. Even seemingly
simple cases can involve complex legal issues that could become a
nightmare for parents with a less knowledgeable or inexperienced
attorney.
Consequences of Violating Juvenile Probation
It
is natural that teenagers go through a period of rebellion as they
make their way through adolescence, and of course some teens rebel more
than others. However, if your child is on probation, it is very
important that he follow the rules. If he breaks the rules, he may be
removed from his home and placed in a juvenile facility or for felony
cases committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) up to
the age of 19. Obviously, each case is different and must be evaluated
on an individual basis.
Children Need Effective Representation to Get Best Result
Many
parents have the opinion that their child got himself in trouble
despite their best efforts and therefore they are not willing to spend
any money on a defense attorney, or worse they encourage their child to
talk with the police without first consulting an attorney. These
approaches, however, have led to many heartbreaking realizations later
on. Your child is a blessing. Decisions made during these difficult
years of his adolescence are critical to his future well-being. Your
child needs an attorney who not only can relate to and counsel him but
also who specializes in juvenile law and can effectively represent
him. Be proactive and make your decision on retaining an attorney
wisely.
Conroe Juvenile Defense Attorney James Sullivan
James Sullivan is very passionate about
defending, counseling and inspiring his juvenile clients to get on the
right path, to stay in school and to plan for the future. He wants all
of his clients to have a successful future, just as all parents want
their children to do better than they did. He strives to keep his
clients at home and to keep their record clear, although he realizes
that some are so out of control that for their own safety they need to
be placed in a secure facility or residential drug treatment
center. Many teens need the adversity and discipline of an out of home
placement such as at boot camp or a private placement to learn to accept
responsibility for their actions, to stop blaming others for their
behavior and to build character.
Montgomery County Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan is Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Note: Among the more than 83,000 active lawyers in Texas, there are only 38 lawyers Board Certified in Juvenile Law in private practice. The other 27 such lawyers work for the government.
Montgomery County Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan is Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Note: Among the more than 83,000 active lawyers in Texas, there are only 38 lawyers Board Certified in Juvenile Law in private practice. The other 27 such lawyers work for the government.
Contact Montgomery County Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan
James Sullivan handles all juvenile offenses in
the juvenile courts in Harris County and throughout the state of
Texas.
Whether your child is charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, Board Certified Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan can provide effective representation and advice. Don’t let one mistake ruin your child’s future.
Whether your child is charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, Board Certified Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan can provide effective representation and advice. Don’t let one mistake ruin your child’s future.