| HOUSTON JUVENILE DEFENSE ATTORNEY OVER 15 YEARS CRIMINAL LAW EXPERIENCE LICENSED IN BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL COURT |
| Visit our other websites: |
| One of Houston's Top Rated Attorneys for Juvenile Cases In most cases a permanent criminal record can be avoided. Your child's entire future may rest on whether or not a final permanent conviction can be avoided. Call Attorney Andy Nolen - He has over 15 years juvenile law experience and has had over 400 criminal cases dismissed. |
| The Houston, Texas, Juvenile Defense Law Firm of Attorney Andy Nolen, represents Juveniles who have been accused of a state crime in Texas, including in communities such as League City, Angleton, Pearland, Alvin, Clear Lake, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Baytown, Pasadena, Memorial, Spring Branch, River Oaks, West University, and Bellaire. Counties that this firm serves include: Galveston County • Fort Bend County • Montgomery County • Brazoria County • Harris County. Cases handled include: Probation Violations, Assault, Credit Card Abuse, Theft, Shoplifting, Drunk Driving, Evading Arrest, Truancy, School Problems, Certification as an Adult, Juvenile Crime |
| 15 Years Experience as a Houston Juvenile Defense Attorney |
| Andy Nolen, 15 years Juvenile Defense Over 500 Criminal Cases Dismissed |
| Juvenile Justice Code Chapter 51: General Chapter 52: Referral Chapter 53: Prior To Court Chapter 54: Court Chapter 55: Mental Illness Chapter 56: Appeal Chapter 57: Victims |
| receiving information from the same or similar sources in the future. (f) In making the determination required by Subsection (a) of this section, the court shall consider, among other matters: (1) whether the alleged offense was against person or property, with greater weight in favor of transfer given to offenses against the person; (2) the sophistication and maturity of the child; (3) the record and previous history of the child; and (4) the prospects of adequate protection of the public and the likelihood of the rehabilitation of the child by use of procedures, services, and facilities currently available to the juvenile court. (g) If the petition alleges multiple offenses that constitute more than one criminal transaction, the juvenile court shall either retain or transfer all offenses relating to a single transaction. A child is not subject to criminal prosecution at any time for any offense arising out of a criminal transaction for which the juvenile court retains jurisdiction. (h) If the juvenile court waives jurisdiction, it shall state specifically in the order its reasons for waiver and certify its action, including the written order and findings of the court, and shall transfer the person to the appropriate court for criminal proceedings and cause the results of the diagnostic study of the person ordered under Subsection (d), including psychological information, to be transferred to the appropriate criminal prosecutor. On transfer of the person for criminal proceedings, the person shall be dealt with as an adult and in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. The transfer of custody is an arrest. (i) A waiver under this section is a waiver of jurisdiction over the child and the criminal court may not remand the child to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. (j) The juvenile court may waive its exclusive original jurisdiction and transfer a person to the appropriate district court or criminal district court for criminal proceedings if: (1) the person is 18 years of age or older; (2) the person was: (A) 10 years of age or older and under 17 years of age at the time the person is alleged to have committed a capital felony or an offense under Section 19.02, Penal Code; (B) 14 years of age or older and under 17 years of age at the time the person is alleged to have committed an aggravated controlled substance felony or a felony of the first degree other than an offense under Section 19.02, Penal Code; or (C) 15 years of age or older and under 17 years of age at the time the person is alleged to have committed a felony of the second or third degree or a state jail felony; (3) no adjudication concerning the alleged offense has been made or no adjudication hearing concerning the offense has been conducted; (4) the juvenile court finds from a preponderance of the evidence that: (A) for a reason beyond the control of the state it was not practicable to proceed in juvenile court before the 18th birthday of the person; or (B) after due diligence of the state it was not practicable to proceed in juvenile court before the 18th birthday of the person because: (i) the state did not have probable cause to proceed in juvenile court and new evidence has been found since the 18th birthday of the person; (ii) the person could not be found; or (iii) a previous transfer order was reversed by an appellate court or set aside by a district court; and (5) the juvenile court determines that there is probable cause to believe that the child before the court committed the offense alleged. (k) The petition and notice requirements of Sections 53.04, 53.05, 53.06, and 53.07 of this code must be satisfied, and the summons must state that the hearing is for the purpose of considering waiver of jurisdiction under Subsection (j) of this section. (l) The juvenile court shall conduct a hearing without a jury to consider waiver of jurisdiction under Subsection (j) of this section. (m) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the juvenile court shall waive its exclusive original jurisdiction and transfer a child to the appropriate district court or criminal court for criminal proceedings if: (1) the child has previously been transferred to a district court or criminal district court for criminal proceedings under this section, unless: (A) the child was not indicted in the matter transferred by the grand jury; (B) the child was found not guilty in the matter transferred; (C) the matter transferred was dismissed with prejudice; or (D) the child was convicted in the matter transferred, the conviction was reversed on appeal, and the appeal is final; and (2) the child is alleged to have violated a penal law of the grade of felony. (n) A mandatory transfer under Subsection (m) may be made without conducting the study required in discretionary transfer proceedings by Subsection (d). The requirements of Subsection (b) that the summons state that the purpose of the hearing is to consider discretionary transfer to criminal court does not apply to a transfer proceeding under Subsection (m). In a proceeding under Subsection (m), it is sufficient that the summons provide fair notice that the purpose of the hearing is to consider mandatory transfer to criminal court. (o) If a respondent is taken into custody for possible discretionary transfer proceedings under Subsection (j), the juvenile court shall hold a detention hearing in the same manner as provided by Section 54.01, except that the court shall order the respondent released unless it finds that the respondent: (1) is likely to abscond or be removed from the jurisdiction of the court; (2) may be dangerous to himself or herself or may threaten the safety of the public if released; or (3) has previously been found to be a delinquent child or has previously been convicted of a penal offense punishable by a term of jail or prison and is likely to commit an offense if released. (p) If the juvenile court does not order a respondent released under Subsection (o), the court shall, pending the conclusion of the discretionary transfer hearing, order that the respondent be detained in: (1) a certified juvenile detention facility as provided by Subsection (q); or (2) an appropriate county facility for the detention of adults accused of criminal offenses. (q) The detention of a respondent in a certified juvenile detention facility must comply with the detention requirements under this title, except that, to the extent practicable, the person shall be kept separate from children detained in the same facility. (r) If the juvenile court orders a respondent detained in a county facility under Subsection (p), the county sheriff shall take custody of the respondent under the juvenile court's order. The juvenile court shall set or deny bond for the respondent as required by the Code of Criminal Procedure and other law applicable to the pretrial detention of adults accused of criminal offenses. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2156, ch. 693, Sec. 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 140, Sec. 1 to 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 34, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 54.021. COUNTY, JUSTICE, OR MUNICIPAL COURT: TRUANCY. (a) The juvenile court may waive its exclusive original jurisdiction and transfer a child to the constitutional county court, if the county has a population of two million or more, or to an appropriate justice or municipal court, with the permission of the county, justice, or municipal court, for disposition in the manner provided by Subsection (b) if the child is alleged to have engaged in conduct described in Section 51.03(b)(2). A waiver of jurisdiction under this subsection may be for an individual case or for all cases in which a child is alleged to have engaged in conduct described in Section 51.03(b)(2). The waiver of a juvenile court's exclusive original jurisdiction for all cases in which a child is alleged to have engaged in conduct described in Section 51.03(b)(2) is effective for a period of one year. (b) A county, justice, or municipal court may exercise jurisdiction over a person alleged to have engaged in conduct indicating a need for supervision by engaging in conduct described in Section 51.03(b)(2) in a case where: (1) the juvenile court has waived its original jurisdiction under this section; and (2) a complaint is filed by the appropriate authority in the county, justice, or municipal court charging an offense under Section 25.094, Education Code. (c) A proceeding in a county, justice, or municipal court on a complaint charging an offense under Section 25.094, Education Code, is governed by Chapter 45, Code of Criminal Procedure. (d) Notwithstanding any other law, the costs assessed in a case filed in or transferred to a constitutional county court for an offense under Section 25.093 or 25.094, Education Code, must be the same as the costs assessed for a case filed in a justice court for an offense under Section 25. 093 or 25.094, Education Code. (e) The proceedings before a constitutional county court related to an offense under Section 25.093 or 25.094, Education Code, may be recorded in any manner provided by Section 30.00010, Government Code, for recording proceedings in a municipal court of record. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 741, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 24, eff. May 30, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 35, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 865, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1514, Sec. 14, 19(b), eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Sec. 54.03. ADJUDICATION HEARING. (a) A child may be found to have engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision only after an adjudication hearing conducted in accordance with the provisions of this section. (b) At the beginning of the adjudication hearing, the juvenile court judge shall explain to the child and his parent, guardian, or guardian ad litem: (1) the allegations made against the child; (2) the nature and possible consequences of the proceedings, including the law relating to the admissibility of the record of a juvenile court adjudication in a criminal proceeding; (3) the child's privilege against self-incrimination; (4) the child's right to trial and to confrontation of witnesses; (5) the child's right to representation by an attorney if he is not already represented; and (6) the child's right to trial by jury. (c) Trial shall be by jury unless jury is waived in accordance with Section 51.09. If the hearing is on a petition that has been approved by the grand jury under Section 53.045, the jury must consist of 12 persons and be selected in accordance with the requirements in criminal cases. Jury verdicts under this title must be unanimous. (d) Except as provided by Section 54.031, only material, relevant, and competent evidence in accordance with the Texas Rules of Evidence applicable to criminal cases and Chapter 38, Code of Criminal Procedure, may be considered in the adjudication hearing. Except in a detention or discretionary transfer hearing, a social history report or social service file shall not be viewed by the court before the adjudication decision and shall not be viewed by the jury at any time. (e) A child alleged to have engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision need not be a witness against nor otherwise incriminate himself. An extrajudicial statement which was obtained without fulfilling the requirements of this title or of the constitution of this state or the United States, may not be used in an adjudication hearing. A statement made by the child out of court is insufficient to support a finding of delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision unless it is corroborated in whole or in part by other evidence. An adjudication of delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision cannot be had upon the testimony of an accomplice unless corroborated by other evidence tending to connect the child with the alleged delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision; and the corroboration is not sufficient if it merely shows the commission of the alleged conduct. Evidence illegally seized or obtained is inadmissible in an adjudication hearing. (f) At the conclusion of the adjudication hearing, the court or jury shall find whether or not the child has engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision. The finding must be based on competent evidence admitted at the hearing. The child shall be presumed to be innocent of the charges against the child and no finding that a child has engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision may be returned unless the state has proved such beyond a reasonable doubt. In all jury cases the jury will be instructed that the burden is on the state to prove that a child has engaged in delinquent conduct or is in need of supervision beyond a reasonable doubt. A child may be adjudicated as having engaged in conduct constituting a lesser included offense as provided by Articles 37.08 and 37.09, Code of Criminal Procedure. (g) If the court or jury finds that the child did not engage in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision, the court shall dismiss the case with prejudice. (h) If the finding is that the child did engage in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision, the court or jury shall state which of the allegations in the petition were found to be established by the evidence. The court shall also set a date and time for the disposition hearing. (i) In order to preserve for appellate or collateral review the failure of the court to provide the child the explanation required by Subsection (b), the attorney for the child must comply with Rule 33.1, Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, before testimony begins or, if the adjudication is uncontested, before the child pleads to the petition or agrees to a stipulation of evidence. (j) When the state and the child agree to the disposition of the case, in whole or in part, the prosecuting attorney shall inform the court of the agreement between the state and the child. The court shall inform the child that the court is not required to accept the agreement. The court may delay a decision on whether to accept the agreement until after reviewing a report filed under Section 54.04(b). If the court decides not to accept the agreement, the court shall inform the child of the court's decision and give the child an opportunity to withdraw the plea or stipulation of evidence. If the court rejects the agreement, no document, testimony, or other evidence placed before the court that relates to the rejected agreement may be considered by the court in a subsequent hearing in the case. A statement made by the child before the court's rejection of the agreement to a person writing a report to be filed under Section 54.04(b) may not be admitted into evidence in a subsequent hearing in the case. If the court accepts the agreement, the court shall make a disposition in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the state and the child. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2157, ch. 693, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1098, ch. 514, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 590, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 385, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 386, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 37, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 22, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Sec. 54.031. HEARSAY STATEMENT OF CHILD ABUSE VICTIM. (a) This section applies to a hearing under this title in which a child is alleged to be a delinquent child on the basis of a violation of any of the following provisions of the Penal Code, if a child 12 years of age or younger is the alleged victim of the violation: (1) Chapter 21 (Sexual Offenses) or 22 (Assaultive Offenses); (2) Section 25.02 (Prohibited Sexual Conduct); or (3) Section 43.25 (Sexual Performance by a Child). (b) This section applies only to statements that describe the alleged violation that: (1) were made by the child who is the alleged victim of the violation; and (2) were made to the first person, 18 years of age or older, to whom the child made a statement about the violation. (c) A statement that meets the requirements of Subsection (b) of this section is not inadmissible because of the hearsay rule if: (1) on or before the 14th day before the date the hearing begins, the party intending to offer the statement: (A) notifies each other party of its intention to do so; (B) provides each other party with the name of the witness through whom it intends to offer the statement; and (C) provides each other party with a written summary of the statement; (2) the juvenile court finds, in a hearing conducted outside the presence of the jury, that the statement is reliable based on the time, content, and circumstances of the statement; and |
FAMILY CODE
CHAPTER 54. JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CHAPTER 54. JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS