If you are under 17 and have been charged with a criminal offense in Williamson County, whether it's for a misdemeanor or a felony, it's likey that your case will be handled in juvenile court. If you are a parent, and your child has been accused of a crime, you are probably wondering how serious the charges are and whether you need an attorney.
I am a local Willimason County Criminal Defense Attorney and I strongly believe that anyone accused of a crime, no matter what their age, deserves the opportunity for a vigorous criminal defense. Based in Georgetown, I represent clients in the Williamson County Juvenile Courts.
Helping You Understand the Juvenile Justice System
In Texas, children under 17 can be charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes just like anyone else, but those charges are often dealt with in juvenile court under unique procedures, overseen by judges who often focus much or all of their attention on juvenile cases.
Juveniles who are charged or convicted of crimes in Williamson County may be sent to the Juvenile Justice Center, a detention facility where they're required to wear uniforms, attend classes on site and face visitation restrictions from family members and friends.
Although the purpose of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate and educate children who have broken the law so they can become law-abiding adults, many who spend their younger years in detention facilities are unable to escape the cycle of crime as they get older.
Seeking Options for Avoiding Harmful Consequences
Minors charged with juvenile crimes have options. The juvenile prosecutors and courts should consider all the evidence and the seriousness related to the crime.
In some cases, deferred probation is available. Juveniles who complete a deferred disposition (probation) successfully can have their charges dismissed and can generally come back later and get their juvenile records sealed. Contact me to discuss the facts of your situation so we can determine what options are available.
The Law Office of Clovis Martin has represented clients charged with:
Assault with Bodily Injury (PC 22.01), Aggravated Assault (PC 22.02) Aggravated Kidnapping (PC 20.04), Burglary of Vehicles (PC 30.04), Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor (ABC 106.04), Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse (PC 32.31), Criminal Mischief (PC 28.03), Criminal Trespass (PC 30.05), Deadly Conduct (PC 22.05), Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by Minor (ABC 106.041), Driving While Intoxicated (a.k.a. DWI PC 49.04), Driving While Intoxicated with Child Passenger (PC 49.045), Driving While License Invalid (TC 521.457), Duty on Striking Unattended Vehicle (TC 550.024), Duty on Striking Fixture or Highway Lanscaping (TC 550.025), Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (PC 71.02), Evading Arrest or Detention (PC 38.04), Failure to Identify (PC 38.02), Fictitious or Counterfeit Inspection Certificate OR Insurance Document (TC 548.603), Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor (ABC 106.06), Harassment (PC 42.07), Interference with Emergency Telephone Call (PC 42.062), Possession of Alcohol by a Minor (ABC 106.05 a.k.a. Minor in Possession of Alcohol or MIP), Possession of [Controlled] Substance (CSA 481.115 to 481.118), Possession of a Dangerous Drug (CSA 483.041), Possession or Delivery of Drug Paraphernalia (CSA 481.125), Possession of Marijuana (CSA 481.121), Prostitution (PC 43.02), Public Intoxication (PC 49.02), Racing on Highway (TC 545.420), Reckless Driving (TC 545.401), Resisting Arrest, Search, or Transportation (PC 38.03), Revocation of Community Supervision (a.k.a Probation, CCP 42.12-Sec. 23), Sale [of Alcohol] to Minors (ABC 106.03), Sexual Assault (PC 22.011) Terroristic Threat (PC 22.07), Theft (PC 31.03), Theft by Check (PC 31.03 & 31.06), Theft of Service (PC 31.04), Unlawful Carrying Weapons (PC 46.02), and Unlawful Restraint (PC 20.02).
