Juvenile Crimes in Fort Bend County, TX
Let Attorney Brandon Sims Protect Your Child’s Rights & Future
Getting a call from the police and learning that your child is in custody is a nightmare for any parent. You may be wondering if your child will face jail time, if he/she will be subject to the adult criminal justice system, or if his/her future will be permanently affected by the alleged charges? Fortunately, an experienced lawyer can answer all those questions and provide a strong and personalized legal defense to help your child avoid serious criminal penalties.
At The Sims Law Firm, PLLC, we are ready to thoroughly investigate your child’s arrest, collect and analyze evidence, and fight for the best possible outcome in juvenile court or adult court. While our Fort Bend County juvenile defense attorney has more than 13 years of legal experience as a former felony prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney, he also has a comprehensive understanding of the Texas juvenile court system to properly and aggressively protect your child’s rights, reputation, and freedom from start to finish.
Common juvenile crimes Attorney Brandon Sims handles include:
- DWI and other traffic offenses
- Drug crimes
- Theft crimes
- Sex crimes
- Violent crimes
Contact us today to speak with Attorney Brandon Sims.
Potential Penalties for Texas Juvenile Crimes
Unless the juvenile crime involves an alleged and specifically heinous violent or sex offense, your child will most likely go through the juvenile court process. Unlike the adult criminal justice system that is designed to punish offenders, the juvenile justice system focuses on rehabilitation to prevent your child from becoming a criminal in the later stages in his/her life.
Juvenile offenders are subject to the following programs and penalties:
- First offender program – If your child is a first-time offender and didn’t commit a misdemeanor or felony involving a weapon or violence, he/she may be eligible for the first offender program. This program includes community service, educational and vocational training, restitution, and other rehabilitative services, rather than detention or probation. If your child completes the program, the charges he/she faces will be dismissed and he/she will not have a juvenile criminal record.
- Deferred prosecution – Similar to the first offender program, deferred prosecution is designed to help minors who do not have a history of delinquent behavior. However, minors who have been charged of an alcohol-related offense are not eligible. During deferred prosecution, your child will be on probation of typically six months. Upon competition without any probation violations, the case will be closed.
- Probation – If the juvenile court sentences your child to probation, he/she must follow specific rules (e.g. pay fines, complete community service, frequently meet with a probation officer, complete education and/or alcohol/drug rehabilitation, continue going to work or school, obey a curfew, etc.). Probation cannot last past your child’s 18th birthday.
- Detention – The juvenile court could sentence your child to a Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TTJD) detention facility to be held there for a specific amount of time or until your child turns 19 years of age.
Ready to Fight for Your Family Today
Just because your child is accused of a crime doesn’t mean he/she is guilty. Attorney Sims will do his best to help your child avoid detention or imprisonment. Although he understands a simple mistake can affect your child’s life forever, but he also knows how to get your child’s life back on the right path.
Call (713) 766-1445 today to schedule a free consultation with The Sims Law Firm, PLLC.