Houston Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney

Juvenile Crimes Lawyer in the City of Houston Defends Clients Facing Juvenile Crime Charges in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Texas

Do you know a child or other underage youth who was charged with a crime in Houston, Texas? If you answered yes, you should know that juvenile crimes can be serious, and despite what you may have heard or been told, in many cases, the state of Texas can certify juveniles as adults so that they can be tried as adults. You need a juvenile crime lawyer with decades of experience and a track record of successful trial outcomes, dropped charges, and not-guilty verdicts. Call Chernoff Law to schedule a free consultation, so you can speak with our Houston juvenile criminal defense attorney about the criminal charges and your child’s future.

Houston Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney Helps Clients to Understand Juvenile Crime Laws In Texas

Whether you are a child charged with a crime because you made a mistake, or a family member distressed over a minor in possession of drugs, you need to understand juvenile defense procedures in order to defend yourself before the juvenile court system. Whatever the age or the violation, a juvenile needs a lawyer when he goes to Court. Contact Chernoff Law for a free consultation with a juvenile defense attorney.

Experienced Houston Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney

Our Houston juvenile criminal defense attorney and firm have years of experience preventing jail time and other extraordinary punishments for youths facing criminal charges. Some of the cases juvenile children and teens often face include:

• Shoplifting
• Felony Crimes
• Stealing & Other Theft Crimes
• Traffic Violations
• Criminal Mischief
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (Xanax, hydrocodone, Adderall, Promethazine, etc.)
• Drug Possession (Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Barbituates)
• Probation Violations
• Robbery & Aggravated Robbery
• Arson
• Weapons Charges
• Gang Violence (aka Organized Crime)
• Sex Crimes: Sexual Assault, Rape & Statutory Rape
• Manslaughter
• Murder
• DUI & DWI Drugs

Juvenile crimes need to be taken seriously. They can affect a child’s future school and employment prospects.

Are Juvenile Crimes Visible On Adult Background Checks In Texas?

Yes. Juvenile records are not automatically sealed at age 18. One must petition the court and in many cases, the court will not seal the records.

How Long Does It Take To Seal A Juvenile’s Criminal Record?

It depends on whether the conviction is for a misdemeanor or felony crime in Texas.

If a child has a finding of delinquent behavior for a misdemeanor he must wait two years after the finding to have the record sealed. Even then it will not be sealed if he has had later offenses.

If there is a finding of delinquent behavior for a felony, he must wait until age 21 to apply for record sealing and in that time period there can be no additional felony violations.

When Can Juveniles Be Tried As Adults In Texas?

The District Attorney or Prosecutor of a case involving criminal charges against a juvenile may ask that the state of Texas certify the child as an adult. Several factors contribute to whether the child is eligible to stand trial as an adult including:

1. The will of the judge or prosecutor
2. The juvenile’s understanding of the crime and consequences
3. The severity of the crime
4. Prior criminal convictions or acts of violence

And many other factors.

Juvenile Defense: A Growth Industry

Recently, there has been tremendous growth in juvenile prosecution and a greater willingness by the State of Texas to certify juveniles as adults rather than prosecute them as juvenile delinquents. The purpose of the juvenile justice system is different from that of the adult criminal justice system, however.

The hope of the juvenile courts—and the hope of society—is that young people can be rehabilitated. Certifying them as adults completely gives up on that hope. At Chernoff Law, we never forget that a child is just that: a child. A criminal record, even a juvenile record, is a tag that will often harm a child much more than it benefits the State.

Our Houston Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney Explains What You Should Do If You’re Summoned To Criminal Court

Under the Texas Family Code, a parent is responsible for addressing the actions of his child. When a parent is summoned to court to answer for his child’s alleged criminal act, he or she is usually unsure of what to do.

Some parents don’t know whether they even need a lawyer. Sometimes a juvenile crimes probation officer or court staff will tell the parents that an attorney is unnecessary. Sometimes a prosecutor will give the parents the same advice, assuring them that the case is not serious enough to warrant a defense attorney.

But beware: it is critical that your child be competently represented for juvenile crimes. There is no such thing as a minor criminal case.

Juvenile Lawyers Defending Our Future

The lawyers of Chernoff Law make it a point to walk the young person and his parents through all juvenile criminal procedures. We will fight for your child’s freedom, which sometimes comes in the form of restitution or probation. We investigate the circumstances of the arrest for violations of our client’s constitutional rights. Where police have overstepped, we move to suppress the evidence, and at trial, we expose deficiencies in the state’s evidence and use our powers of cross-examination to expose exaggerations and falsehoods in the state’s evidence. We strive to establish a reasonable doubt which will require a finding of no delinquency and are noted in the legal community for our skillful and dedicated service to our clients. To schedule a free consultation with a top-rated defense lawyer for juveniles in Houston or anywhere in Texas, contact Chernoff Law.