JUVENILES AND MINORS

STATE LAW REQUIRES AN APPEARANCE BEFORE THE JUDGE. DO NOT MAIL FINE PAYMENT.

DEFINITION

Juveniles are defined as persons sixteen (16) years of age or younger.

Minors are persons 21 years of age and younger on alcohol related offenses and under 18 years of age in tobacco related offenses.

COURT APPEARANCE

All juveniles are required to appear in open court accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A minor is also required to appear in Court with a parent or legal guardian if he or she is 18 years of age or younger and charged with an alcohol related violation. The Court will automatically mail notice of the date, time and location on when you must appear. The notice will be mailed to the address on the front of the citation that was issued to the juvenile or minor. (see Trials)

CLOSED PROCEEDINGS

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL JUVENILE HEARINGS ARE RESTRICTED DUE TO SEATING AND COURT CAPACITY CONCERNS. THEREFORE, ONLY JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND OFFENDER'S PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE COURTROOM DURING JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS UNLESS ADDITIONAL SEATING IS AVAILABLE. Although younger siblings will be permitted, the Court reserves the right to remove any child who is disruptive to Court proceedings.

DRESS CODES/COURT RULES

All persons entering the court are to be dressed appropriately. Halter/midriff tops, t-shirts with vulgar or obscene illustrations, excessively baggy pants, and/or soiled or torn clothing, and flip-flops are inappropriate.

Every person shall also obey the court rules and shall conduct himself or herself in a respectful and courteous manner. The bailiff shall remove any person in violation of the dress code or being disruptive in court.

For security purposes, all electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers, ipods, pdas, cameras, and laptops, are not allowed in the courtroom. Please leave these devices at home or secure them in your vehicle.

FAILURE TO APPEAR

Failure of the Parent of Legal Guardian

Failure of the parent or legal guardian to appear with the juvenile or minor is a separate misdemeanor offense against the parent or legal guardian. A warrant for the parent's or guardian's arrest may be issued if the Failure to Appear citation is not resolved in a timely manner. Although not required by law, the Court clerk may notify the parent and/or legal guardian when a warrant for their arrest has been issued.

Failure of the Juvenile or Minor

If the juvenile or minor fails to appear at his or her scheduled hearing, a Failure to Appear charge may be added to each of the underlying violations set for Court. A warrant for the arrest of a minor may also be immediately issued. A warrant for the juvenile's arrest will be not issued until that person reaches 17 years of age. Warrant fees and the additional fines for Failure to Appear will be added to each violation as well.

Address Notification

Pursuant to Texas law, Article 45.057(j), Code of Criminal Procedure, you are being provided written notice of the following:

1. A child and a parent are required to appear before the Court and have an obligation to provide the Court in writing with the current address and residence of the child;
2. The obligation does not end when the child reaches the age of 17;
3. On or before the seventh day after the date the child or parent changes residence (any place where the child lives or resides for a period of at least 30 days), the child or parent shall notify the Court of the current address in the manner directed by the Court;
4. Failure to provide notice is a Class CApril 7, 2009li> The obligation to provide notice terminates on discharge and satisfaction of the judgment or final disposition not requiring a finding of guilt.

Click here for the Address Notification form.