Juvenile Crime Lawyer in Pearland

Tad Nelson Law Office has extensive experience representing minors charged with serious crimes in Pearland. If your child is facing criminal charges, you need to act quickly to secure their defense. Our Pearland criminal defense lawyers are equipped to handle the task of protecting your child’s rights and future. 

Give us a call today to schedule a case consultation with a juvenile crime lawyer in Pearland. We’ve been defending juveniles since 1994.

Juvenile Crimes are a Serious Matter

Children are expected to break the rules sometimes, but a criminal offense is a different matter. A juvenile conviction is a serious matter that warrants an equally serious legal response. A conviction can hamper your child’s education and employment prospects. Recidivism in the youth justice system in Texas is high, and involved children are likely to reoffend. 

Tad and his team have over 100 years of combined legal experience in and out of the courtroom. We understand what’s at stake for your child’s future and wellbeing and will use every available resource to achieve a satisfactory outcome. 

Two Categories of Juvenile Offenses in Texas

The Texas juvenile justice system primarily applies to children between the ages of 10 and 16. Minors aged 17 are automatically considered adults in Texas and are charged in adult courts. Texas is one of the few states that extend adult convictions to teenagers this young. 

Juvenile offenses can generally be split into two categories in Texas:

• Conduct indicating a need for supervision (CINS): These are status offenses that are only illegal due to the juvenile’s age, like runaway behavior or municipal curfew violations. 
• Delinquent conduct: Delinquent conduct is behavior that would be a crime if committed by an adult. Penalties for these are generally harsher. 

Common Types of Juvenile Crimes We Navigate

Below are some of the most common types of juvenile offenses that we navigate:

• Theft and shoplifting. Shoplifting and theft are common offenses for young people in places like grocery stores, shopping malls, and strip malls. Even low-level theft can result in harsh penalties. 
• Vandalism. Vandalism, or criminal mischief as Texas law calls it, consists of damaging or defacing property unlawfully. Penalties are assessed based on the type of property and its value. 
• Assault and disorderly conduct. Young children can become involved in threats or physical altercations that rise to the level of disorderly conduct or assault. 
• Trespassing and burglary. Trespassing consists of entering a property without permission, and burglary is entering property with the intent to commit a crime. 
• Alcohol and drug offenses. It’s illegal for individuals under 21 to consume alcohol in Texas, and being caught with alcohol or intoxicated can result in criminal charges. 
• Sex crimes. Sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and solicitation of a minor are all sex crimes that can be committed by juveniles. 

How Does Sentencing and Punishment Work for Minors in Texas?

A major difference between the juvenile and adult justice system is how they approach sentencing for crimes. The adult justice system focuses on punishment and deterrence, but the juvenile system focuses more on rehabilitation and reintegration.

This means that incarceration is de-emphasized and other types of sentencing are favored, such as:

• Community service
• Mandatory counseling 
• Substance use therapy
• Probation
• Paying restitution to victims

In some cases, juvenile offenders will be detained in a juvenile detention facility up until their 19th birthday. 

Can Minors Be Charged as Adults in Pearland?

Minors can be charged as adults in Texas in certain circumstances. For minors age 14 and older, certain violent or repeat offenses can result in them being charged under the adult justice system. This means they can face adult punishments, like incarceration in a state prison. 

Transfers to adult courts are typically only reserved for serious felonies, like murder, arson, or kidnapping. If a judge wishes to transfer a case, they can hold a transfer hearing where a lawyer can argue against moving the case to adult courts. 

How a Juvenile Crime Lawyer in Pearland Can Help

A juvenile offense is no laughing matter and requires a competent attorney to manage.

Below are just some of the ways that a Pearland juvenile crimes lawyer can help:

• Seek alternative punishment. We can work with prosecutors to find alternative punishments for your child that don’t involve detention or a loss of freedoms. 
• Apply for record sealing. We can also help apply for your child’s conviction to be sealed so that it doesn’t show up on criminal background checks as an adult. 
• Fight transfers to adult courts. Our lawyer can fight a motion to transfer your child’s case to an adult court to seek adult punishments. 

Call Tad and His Team Today

Contact Tad Nelson Law Office online or call us today to discuss your case with a Pearland juvenile crime lawyer. Your child’s future may depend on getting proper legal defense, so don’t delay getting in touch.