Minors & Juveniles

If you are classified as a juvenile, under the age of 17, under Texas State law and charged with a traffic or criminal violation, you must appear in court with a parent or a legal guardian. You may also bring a lawyer, but the presence of your parent / guardian is still required. 

A minor is classified as a person who is over 16 but under the age of 21. Any person under the age of 21 charged with alcohol, curfew or tobacco violation must appear in court. 

What to Expect When You Come To Court
  • You may contest the ticket by pleading not guilty to the charge filed against you.
    • If you plead not guilty, you must decide whether or not you want a trial by a judge or by a jury. Your trial will not be held the same day. Your case(s) will then be set for trial date at which time you may present your case to the court. At your trial, a judge or jury will hear the evidence and determine if you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 
  • You may agree with the violation and enter a plea of guilty or no contest to the charge(s).
    • You should be prepared to pay the fine at the time you are found guilty.
  • You may enter a plea of guilty or no contest and request community service hours in lieu of paying a fine.
    • You may ask the judge to assign your case for community service in lieu of paying a fine. The number of hours you work is determined by the amount of the fine and the violation itself. The judge has a very specific list of approved community service providers. Deviating from the list may result in the community service not being accepted, additional hours being required and/or additional fees being added.
  • You are expected to act and dress properly and follow the rules of the court.
    • Please wear appropriate clothing when you appear in court.

Address Notification
Pursuant to Article 45.057(j) of the 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 C offense. The obligation to provide notice terminates on discharge and satisfaction of the judgment or final disposition not requiring a finding of guilt.

Failure to Appear
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 / guardian’s arrest may be issued if the failure to appear citation is not resolved in a timely manner. 

In the event 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 not be 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.