Austin Attorney's Fighting for the Rights of our Clients.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
1304 West Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
301 Congress Ave., Suite 1800, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
7700 TX-71, Suite 350, Austin, TX 78735
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
524 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
1411 West Avenue, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
816 Congress Avenue, Suite 1530, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
602 W 11th St, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
9414 Anderson Mill Road, Suite 205, Austin, TX 78729
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
720 Brazos Street, Suite 700, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
500 W. 2nd St., Suite 1800, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
607 W 3rd St, Suite 2500, Austin, TX 78703
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
8300 N MoPac Expressway, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78759
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
1004 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
901 S MoPac Expy, Building 1, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78746
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
401 Congress Avenue, Suite 2500, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
1012 Rio Grande Street, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
502 West 14th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
300 West 6th St, Suite 2050, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
812 San Antonio Street, Suite 400, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
300 W 6th Street, Suite 1850, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
5609 Clarion Cove, Austin, TX 78746
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
1107 Nueces St, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
1411 West Avenue, Suite 124, Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
608 W. 12th St., Austin, TX 78701
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Austin Office
111 Congress Avenue, Suite 1400, Austin, TX 78701-4093
Lead Counsel independently verifies Juvenile Law attorneys in Austin and checks their standing with Texas bar associations.
Our Verification Process and CriteriaIf your child is facing criminal charges, it is important to get the best legal representation possible because a criminal record will follow your child as each educational and employment opportunity becomes available. A juvenile attorney will be able to help your family seek a resolution that protects your child’s current best interests and their future prospects.
In terms of criminal law and the definitions surrounding juvenile offenses, most states and the federal government consider those who have not yet turned 18 years of age to be juveniles. Three states — Georgia, Texas and Wisconsin — instead restrict the protections afforded to juvenile offenders to those aged 16 or younger.
There is also a provision that allows those who are older than 18, but younger than 21, to claim legal juvenile status if they are being charged with an offense that was commissioned before the defendant attained the age of majority.
According to the Department of Justice, some of the most common offenses conducted by juvenile offenders include simple assault, disorderly conduct, drug-related crimes, weapons-related offenses, vandalism, liquor law violations and various forms of theft (burglary, automobile theft, etc.).
Juveniles are generally capable of committing any crime that an adult might. However, certain juvenile offenses (say, being in possession of alcohol) are offenses related strictly to the age of the individual in possession. Juvenile crime related to statutory rape (between two minors) can also be a form of offense that so-called “Romeo and Juliet” laws were enacted to combat.
Juveniles can be charged with any criminal offense; same as an adult, but their cases are usually handled in the Juvenile Courts. Some juvenile law charges include underage possession of alcohol, drug crimes, gang involvement, vandalism and juvenile DUI. Other juvenile law-related issues include disciplinary actions at school and foster care issues.
A juvenile lawyer can also provide direction for juveniles and their families to programs that will help the juvenile’s defense by minimizing the risk of the youth from re-offending and preventing future criminal behavior issues.
While juvenile offenders (or juvenile delinquents, if deemed so from a legal perspective) are afforded some protections (exempt from serving time in prison unless tried and convicted as an adult, for more serious offenses, where applicable) they do remain culpable for crimes committed.
A juvenile offender who is convicted could be facing court-order probation, mandatory counseling or therapy sessions, mandatory drug or alcohol rehabilitation, fines or monetary restitution, community service or even a term in detention (also termed “residence facilities”).
In situations where a juvenile is being tried as an adult, the sentencing is typically expected to match the severity of the crime. Despite the surprising frequency of this occurrence (generally for the most severe offenses, or for extreme incidences of repeat offenses), some such instances become high-profile cases with the attendant media exposure.
In order to be tried as an adult, juvenile offenders must be meted out a waiver to adult court. Most states require that a juvenile offender be the age of 16 (though some states have no age limit appended to more serious charges, such as murder) in order for such a waiver to be handed down by the court.
Reasons for a juvenile being tried as an adult include, but are not limited to: the commission of a very grave or serious offense such as rape or murder, the offender having a lengthy juvenile record or a number of failed rehabilitation attempts having been made in the past.
It is estimated that approximately 250,000 juvenile offenders are tried as adults, per year, in the United States.
As a result of several relatively recent Supreme Court decisions, juvenile offenders are not able to be sentenced to death, nor sentenced to life in prison without parole in response to any crime other than those related to homicide.
A juvenile crime lawyer or criminal defense attorney is familiar with established case law, past precedent, and current statutes surrounding juvenile delinquency. These attorneys specialize in defending juvenile clients facing charges and can help defendants to navigate the juvenile justice system.
All juveniles facing court due to alleged offenses are entitled to an attorney, regardless of their ability — or the ability of their parents or guardians — to pay. It is extremely important to secure adequate legal representation if you are facing charges as a juvenile. If found guilty of the offenses levied against you, depending on the severity of the charges, you could be placed in detention or even tried as an adult, as exhibited above.
The creation of a criminal record as a result of having been tried, and convicted, as an adult can be extremely damaging to any young man or woman. Therefore, it’s important to work with a criminal defense lawyer.
An attorney can often resolve your particular legal issue faster and better than trying to do it alone. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, while avoiding costly mistakes or procedural errors. You should seek out an attorney whose practice focuses on the area of law most relevant to your issue.
An attorney consultation should provide you with enough information so that you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with legal help.
The more experienced a lawyer is in legal practice, the more likely he/she will be able to bring about a successful resolution to your issue. Since experience matters, lawyers who’ve been practicing law for many years (with a successful track record) tend to be in high demand. You should look for information about a lawyer’s experience and ask questions during the initial meeting. It’s a very good idea to ask the lawyer how many years he/she has been practicing law and the expected outcome of your case.
Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.
Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.
Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.