| 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 |
shall be tried to the court or jury in the adjudication hearing. (d) Lack of responsibility for conduct as a result of mental illness or mental retardation must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence. (e) In its findings or verdict the court or jury must state whether the child is not responsible for the child's conduct as a result of mental illness or mental retardation. (f) If the court or jury finds the child is not responsible for the child's conduct as a result of mental illness or mental retardation, the court shall proceed under Section 55.52. (g) A child found to be not responsible for the child's conduct as a result of mental illness or mental retardation shall not be subject to proceedings under this title with respect to such conduct, other than proceedings under Section 55.52. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 47, eff. May 31, 1995. Renumbered from Family Code Sec. 55.05 and amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 55.52. PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING FINDING OF LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONDUCT. (a) If the court or jury finds that a child is not responsible for the child's conduct under Section 55.51, the court shall: (1) if the lack of responsibility is a result of mental illness or mental retardation: (A) provided that the child meets the commitment criteria under Subtitle C or D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, order the child placed with the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation for a period of not more than 90 days, which order may not specify a shorter period, for placement in a facility designated by the department; or (B) on application by the child's parent, guardian, or guardian ad litem, order the child placed in a private psychiatric inpatient facility for a period of not more than 90 days, which order may not specify a shorter period, but only if the placement is agreed to in writing by the administrator of the facility; or (2) if the child's lack of responsibility is a result of mental illness and the court determines that the child may be adequately treated in an alternative setting, order the child to receive treatment on an outpatient basis for a period of not more than 90 days, which order may not specify a shorter period. (b) If the court orders a child placed in a private psychiatric inpatient facility under Subsection (a)(1)(B), the state or a political subdivision of the state may be ordered to pay any costs associated with the child's placement, subject to an express appropriation of funds for the purpose. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 55.53. TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM FACILITY. (a) If the court issues a placement order under Section 55.52(a)(1), the court shall order the probation department or sheriff's department to transport the child to the designated facility. (b) On receipt of a report from a facility to which a child has been transported under Subsection (a), the court shall order the probation department or sheriff's department to transport the child from the facility to the court. If the child is not transported to the court before the 11th day after the date of the court's order, an authorized representative of the facility shall transport the child from the facility to the court. (c) The county in which the juvenile court is located shall reimburse the facility for the costs incurred in transporting the child to the juvenile court as required by Subsection (b). Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 55.54. INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE SENT TO FACILITY; REPORT TO COURT. (a) If the juvenile court issues a placement order under Section 55.52(a), the court shall order the probation department to send copies of any information in the possession of the department and relevant to the issue of the child's mental illness or mental retardation to the public or private facility or outpatient center, as appropriate. (b) Not later than the 75th day after the date the court issues a placement order under Section 55.52(a), the public or private facility or outpatient center, as appropriate, shall submit to the court a report that: (1) describes the treatment of the child provided by the facility or center; and (2) states the opinion of the director of the facility or center as to whether the child is mentally ill or mentally retarded. (c) The court shall send a copy of the report submitted under Subsection (b) to the prosecuting attorney and the attorney for the child. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 55.55. REPORT THAT CHILD IS NOT MENTALLY ILL OR MENTALLY RETARDED; HEARING ON OBJECTION. (a) If a report submitted under Section 55.54(b) states that a child does not have a mental illness or mental retardation, the juvenile court shall discharge the child unless: (1) an adjudication hearing was conducted concerning conduct that included a violation of a penal law listed in Section 53.045(a) and a petition was approved by a grand jury under Section 53.045; and (2) the prosecuting attorney objects in writing not later than the second day after the date the attorney receives a copy of the report under Section 55.54(c). (b) On objection by the prosecuting attorney under Subsection (a), the juvenile court shall hold a hearing without a jury to determine whether the child has a mental illness or mental retardation and whether the child meets the commitment criteria for civil commitment under Subtitle C or D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code. (c) At the hearing, the burden is on the state to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the child has a mental illness or mental retardation and that the child meets the commitment criteria for civil commitment under Subtitle C or D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code. (d) If, after a hearing, the court finds that the child does not have a mental illness or mental retardation and that the child does not meet the commitment criteria under Subtitle C or D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, the court shall discharge the child. (e) If, after a hearing, the court finds that the child has a mental illness or mental retardation and that the child meets the commitment criteria under Subtitle C or D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, the court shall issue an appropriate commitment order. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 55.56. REPORT THAT CHILD HAS MENTAL ILLNESS; INITIATION OF COMMITMENT PROCEEDINGS. If a report submitted under Section 55.54(b) states that a child has a mental illness and that the child meets the commitment criteria for civil commitment under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, the director of the public or private facility or outpatient center, as appropriate, shall submit to the court two certificates of medical examination for mental illness. On receipt of the certificates, the court shall: (1) initiate proceedings as provided by Section 55.57 in the juvenile court for commitment of the child under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code; or (2) refer the child's case as provided by Section 55.58 to the appropriate court for the initiation of proceedings in that court for commitment of the child under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 55.57. COMMITMENT PROCEEDINGS IN JUVENILE COURT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS. (a) If the juvenile court initiates commitment proceedings under Section 55.56(1), the prosecuting attorney may file with the juvenile court an application for court-ordered mental health services under Section 574.001, Health and Safety Code. The juvenile court shall: (1) set a date for a hearing and provide notice as required by Sections 574.005 and 574.006, Health and Safety Code; and (2) conduct the hearing in accordance with Subchapter C, Chapter 574, Health and Safety Code. (b) After conducting a hearing under Subsection (a)(2), the juvenile court shall: (1) if the criteria under Section 574.034, Health and Safety Code, are satisfied, order temporary mental health services; or (2) if the criteria under Section 574.035, Health and Safety Code, are satisfied, order extended mental health services. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 55.58. REFERRAL FOR COMMITMENT PROCEEDINGS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS. (a) If the juvenile court refers the child's case to an appropriate court for the initiation of commitment proceedings under Section 55.56(2), the juvenile court shall: (1) send all papers relating to the child's mental illness, including the verdict and judgment of the juvenile court finding that the child was not responsible for the child's conduct, to the clerk of the court to which the case is referred; (2) send to the office of the appropriate county attorney or, if a county attorney is not available, to the office of the district attorney, copies of all papers sent to the clerk of the court under Subdivision (1); and (3) if the child is in detention: (A) order the child released from detention to the child's home or another appropriate place; (B) order the child detained in an appropriate place other than a juvenile detention facility; or (C) if an appropriate place to release or detain the child as described by Paragraph (A) or (B) is not available, order the child to remain in the juvenile detention facility subject to further detention orders of the court. (b) The papers sent to a court under Subsection (a)(1) constitute an application for mental health services under Section 574.001, Health and Safety Code. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 55.59. REPORT THAT CHILD HAS MENTAL RETARDATION; INITIATION OF COMMITMENT PROCEEDINGS. If a report submitted under Section 55.54(b) states that a child has mental retardation and that the child meets the commitment criteria for civil commitment under Subtitle D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, the director of the residential care facility shall submit to the court an affidavit stating the conclusions reached as a result of the diagnosis. On receipt of an affidavit, the juvenile court shall: (1) initiate proceedings in the juvenile court as provided by Section 55.60 for commitment of the child under Subtitle D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code; or (2) refer the child's case to the appropriate court as provided by Section 55.61 for the initiation of proceedings in that court for commitment of the child under Subtitle D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Sec. 55.60. COMMITMENT PROCEEDINGS IN JUVENILE COURT FOR MENTAL RETARDATION. (a) If the juvenile court initiates commitment proceedings under Section 55.59(1), the prosecuting attorney may file with the juvenile court an application for placement under Section 593.041, Health and Safety Code. The juvenile court shall: (1) set a date for a hearing and provide notice as required by Sections 593.047 and 593.048, Health and Safety Code; and (2) conduct the hearing in accordance with Sections 593.049-593.056, Health and Safety Code. (b) After conducting a hearing under Subsection (a)(2), the juvenile court may order commitment of the child to a residential care facility only if the commitment criteria under Section 593.052, Health and Safety Code, are satisfied. (c) On receipt of the court's order, the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or the appropriate community center shall admit the child to a residential care facility. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 32, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Sec. 55.61. REFERRAL FOR COMMITMENT PROCEEDINGS FOR MENTAL RETARDATION. (a) If the juvenile court refers the child's case to an appropriate court for the initiation of commitment proceedings under Section 55.59(2), the juvenile court shall: (1) send all papers relating to the child's mental retardation to the clerk of the court to which the case is referred; (2) send to the office of the appropriate county attorney or, if a county attorney is not available, to the office of the appropriate district attorney, copies of all papers sent to the clerk of the court under Subdivision (1); and (3) if the child is in detention: (A) order the child released from detention to the child's home or another appropriate place; (B) order the child detained in an appropriate place other than a juvenile detention facility; or (C) if an appropriate place to release or detain the child as described by Paragraph (A) or (B) is not available, order the child to remain in the juvenile detention facility subject to further detention orders of the court. (b) The papers sent to a court under Subsection (a)(1) constitute an application for placement under Section 593.041, Health and Safety Code. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. |