Youth Offenders

Juvenile (persons who are under the age of 17) - If you are classified as a Juvenile (under the age of 17) under Texas State law and charged with a traffic or criminal violation, you must appear in Court with a parent or a legal guardian. You may also bring a lawyer, but the presence of your parent/guardian is still required. If you hire an attorney to represent you on the case(s) filed you are still required to attend court hearing with your parent/legal guardian.

Minor (persons who are over 16 but under the age of 21) - Any person under the age of 21 charged with alcohol, curfew or tobacco violation must appear in court.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU COME TO COURT?

YOU MAY CONTEST A CHARGE BY PLEADING NOT GUILTY TO THE OFFENSE FILED AGAINST YOU IN OPEN COURT.

If you plead not guilty, you must decide whether or not you want a trial by a Judge or by a Jury. Your trial will not be held the same day. Your case(s) will then be set for trial date at which time you may present your case to the Court. At your trial, a Judge or Jury will hear the evidence and determine if you are Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
YOU MAY AGREE WITH THE VIOLATION AND ENTER A PLEA OF GUILTY OR NO CONTEST TO THE CHARGE(S).

You should be prepared to pay the fine at the time you are found guilty.
YOU MAY ENTER A PLEA OF GUILTY OR NO CONTEST AND REQUEST COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AS PAYMENT OF A FINE.

You may ask the Judge to assign your case for community service as payment of a fine. The number of hours you work is determined by the amount of the fine and the violation itself. Typically, community service hours will involve projects such as the clean-up of city parks, city buildings, non-profit organizations, as well as many others. All Community Service hours must be performed at one location approved by the Court.

You are expected to act and dress properly and follow the rules of the Court.
PLEASE WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING WHEN YOU APPEAR IN COURT.
Shorts, tank tops, halters, caps or hats are not permitted.

Address Notification - You and your parent or legal guardian are required by law to provide the Court, in writing, your current address and residence. If your place of residence changes, you have 7 days to notify the Court, in writing, of your new address and residence. Failure to keep the Court informed of your new residence may result in Failure to Appear and Failure to Notify charges filed against both you and your parent or guardian. The obligation of keeping the Court informed of your current address and residence is required until your case is finalized/terminated.