Juvenile Crime Lawyer in Spring

People expect children to break the rules, but it’s another matter when a child commits a criminal offense. If your child has been charged with a crime, you need to speak to a Spring criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Juvenile crimes are a serious matter and warrant an equally serious legal response. 

The Law Offices of Tad Nelson has experience representing minors facing criminal allegations. A juvenile offense carries implications beyond immediate punishment and can shape the trajectory of your child’s life. Our firm can give answers and protect your child’s rights and prospects. 

Contact our offices today to discuss your case with a juvenile crime lawyer in Spring. We’ve been helping the community since 1994.

Differences Between Adult and Juvenile Criminal Systems

When a minor aged 10 to 16 commits a criminal act, it is handled by the Texas juvenile justice system. The juvenile justice system exists to manage instances of youth offenders and differs in several key aspects from the adult criminal justice system. 

Purpose

The adult justice system is focused on punishment and deterrence, while the juvenile system emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration. The purpose of juvenile systems is to reform minors’ behavior, so they develop into law-abiding adults who can navigate society. 

Process

The juvenile justice system differs in a few key procedural aspects. One of the most important differences is that juvenile cases are civil proceedings focused on rehabilitation.

While juveniles in Texas do have a right to a jury trial during the adjudication phase, a judge typically determines disposition in non-determinate cases. Juvenile hearings for children under 14 are closed to the public, while hearings for youths aged 14 and older are generally open unless the court orders otherwise.  

Punishment

The juvenile system prefers using non-carceral punishments for youths. This includes interventions and programs like community service, mandatory counseling, drug rehabilitation therapy, and education. In severe cases, juvenile offenders may be confined to a juvenile detention center. 

Common Juvenile Offenses in Spring, TX

Juvenile offenses are divided into two main classifications: status offenses and delinquent acts. Status offenses are acts that are illegal due to the perpetrator’s age, like underage drinking or school truancy. Status offenses in Texas are encompassed by the legal category of Child in Need of Supervision (CINS). 

Delinquent acts are offenses that would be criminal if committed by an adult.

Below are some common juvenile offenses we have experience navigating:

• Theft and shoplifting
• Disorderly conduct
• Assault and battery
• Auto theft
• Underage drinking 
• Drug possession and trafficking
• Trespassing and vandalism
• Burglary and robbery
• Sex crimes
• Weapons-related offenses

What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Juvenile Convictions?

One of the most serious aspects of a juvenile conviction is its long-term impacts. Juvenile offenders can face educational and employment difficulties. If they reoffend as an adult, a juvenile criminal history can result in harsher adult punishments. 

There is ample evidence that youths who become embroiled in the juvenile system are much more likely to reoffend. A juvenile crime lawyer in Spring can intervene and stop the cycle before it begins by offering proactive solutions to preserve your child’s freedoms and opportunities. 

Can a Juvenile Be Charged as an Adult in Spring?

Texas’s juvenile criminal system only applies to youths aged 10 to 16. Minors who are 17 or older are automatically charged as adults and can receive adult punishments. 

Minors as young as 14 can be charged as adults as well, depending on the circumstances of the offense. This is mostly the case with serious felonies, such as assault with a weapon, sexual assault, or murder. If a judge wishes to move a case to adult court, they can order a transfer hearing. 

Minors charged as adults receive adult punishments, including confinement in adult prisons. If your child is facing adult criminal charges, a criminal defense lawyer can mean the difference between a juvenile or adult criminal trial and corresponding penalties. 

How a Lawyer From Our Firm Can Help

We understand the stakes in juvenile cases and will offer our assistance any way we can. 

Here’s how we can help:

• Seek alternative punishment. We can work with the prosecution and courts to explore alternative punishments for youth offenders that don’t involve detention, such as community service.
• Fight transfers to adult court. We can also argue against prosecutorial attempts to transfer your child’s case to an adult court to pursue more robust criminal penalties. 
• Petition for record sealing. Once your child has completed their sentence, we can apply to have their juvenile records sealed and hidden from background checks and other searches. 

Contact The Law Offices of Tad Nelson Today to Speak to a Spring Juvenile Crime Lawyer

Children make mistakes, but a single mistake shouldn’t set the course for their adult and professional lives. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson, we believe in second chances and can defend your child’s rights and future interests. We will stand firm in your defense through the entire criminal process and won’t rest until we’ve secured the best possible legal outcome. 

Contact our offices online or reach out by phone today to schedule a case consultation with a Spring juvenile crime lawyer.