Most parents in Texas and elsewhere across the country occasionally worry about their kids. And for this good reason: They were once children themselves and can easily remember back to youthful days when their actions weren’t always preceded by good judgment. Kids are...
Youth Behind Bars: Juvenile Crime Stats in Texas
Our latest blog takes a look at where Texas stands regarding juvenile crime rates and how reformations have made an impact.
Combating Youth Violence: How a New Houston Program Aims to Lower Juvenile Violence in Its Community
Across Texas and the rest of the nation, youth violence is an issue that continues to affect communities small and large. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, on average, 13 people between the ages of 10 and 24 are murdered each day in the...
Juvenile law in Texas
In El Paso and throughout Texas, juvenile centers are used as short-term arrangements. They provide multiple services, including crisis intervention, custodial care, counseling and education. According to state law, children in detention have hearings at set intervals...
A look at criminal charges against a juvenile and their rights
In the state of Texas, a juvenile is defined as someone who has reached the age of 10 but was not yet 17 at the time they committed an act of "delinquent conduct". Penalties for allegations of a juvenile crime can vary widely depending on the seriousness of the...
Juvenile Crimes can have long-term repercussions
The juvenile law system is in place to protect all those affected by crimes committed by a minor. In the eyes of the law, there is no age limit when it comes to committing a crime. Crimes such as shoplifting, vandalism, minor consumption of alcohol, underage drinking...
“Affluenza” teen case highlights aspects of Texas juvenile justice system, P.2
In our last post, we began speaking a bit about the case of Ethan Couch, who has been called the “affluenza teen” in connection with arguments made in court in 2013 during his drunken driving case. As we noted, Couch is currently being transferred to the adult court...
“Affluenza” teen case highlights aspects of Texas juvenile justice system, P.1
A Texas teen who was sentenced to 10 years of probation in the juvenile system for a drunken driving crash in 2013 which killed four people is in bigger trouble now after he was accused of violating of his probation from that case. The young man, Ethan Couch, was...
Young offenders need advocate to benefit from resources in juvenile justice system
The juvenile justice system is very different in nature than the criminal justice system, as anybody who works in the field can tell you. The primary approach in the criminal justice system is to punish offenders so as to deter criminal activity and to protect society...
Supreme Court accepts juvenile law case that could resolve split over previous decision
In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juvenile offenders cannot constitutionally be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. That ruling, which applies even to juvenile murder cases, was significant in that it set a clear limitation on...