Fort Worth Juvenile Crime Attorney

Experienced Juvenile Defense Attorneys in Fort Worth, TX

Juvenile crimes are dealt with differently than crimes committed by an adult. Juvenile courts in Texas have their own specific guidelines and practices when it comes to trying and sentencing underage individuals who have committed a crime. Punishments for juvenile crimes vary greatly depending on the circumstances surrounding the crimes, as well as their severity. Just as in the adult criminal justice system, however, heavy fines and jail time can be assessed by the court.

Get in touch with our juvenile criminal attorney in Fort Worth. You can contact us online or call us at (817) 997-4366.

Understanding the Fort Worth Juvenile Justice Process

Youth accused of crimes in Fort Worth enter a process focused on rehabilitation, but it can still be overwhelming without the guidance of an experienced juvenile criminal attorney in Fort Worth. Upon an arrest or citation, juveniles are often taken to the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center, where the intake procedure commences. 

Here, law enforcement, probation officers, and sometimes social workers evaluate the case and provide recommendations regarding detention, release, and next steps. This early stage is pivotal, and having a skilled juvenile defense attorney in Fort Worth can help your family understand local policies and ensure your child’s rights are fully protected. Representation from The Alband Law Firm can influence decisions at detention hearings, facilitate access to diversion alternatives, and initiate constructive communication with Tarrant County authorities.

Types of Juvenile Crimes

At The Alband Law Firm we can handle any type of juvenile crime, but some of the most common we see are:

• Drug Charges
• Theft Offenses
• Underage Drinking
• Curfew Violations
• DWI
• Vandalism
• Assault & Battery
• Shoplifting

If your child has been charged with a crime of any type, then contact a qualified lawyer who can represent your child in their case and ensure their rights are protected throughout the criminal proceedings.

Understanding Parental Rights & Involvement With Our Juvenile Criminal Attorneys in Fort Worth

Parents and guardians play an essential role throughout every stage of a juvenile case in Fort Worth. When a child is detained, parents are notified promptly and have the right to participate in hearings, meet with their child's juvenile defense lawyer, and receive updates throughout the process. Texas statutes emphasize parental involvement, requiring notice before detention or court appearances and permitting parents to provide input on conditions of supervision or rehabilitation for the child. At The Alband Law Firm, we make family communication a priority—sharing updates, answering questions, and ensuring your child's legal strategy is truly collaborative.

At the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center and across Tarrant County juvenile courts, judges and probation officers routinely seek input from parents during hearings regarding the child's behavior, probation progress, and needed services. While this approach seeks to produce better outcomes and promote family rehabilitation, it can be stressful for parents unfamiliar with legal processes. By partnering with The Alband Law Firm, you gain a juvenile criminal attorney in Fort Worth who communicates every step, translates complex requirements, and supports your family during hearings, probation meetings, and counseling referrals recommended by the Court.

Juvenile Crimes & Penalties

In Texas, a juvenile is a person who is at least 10 years old but under 17. Once they turn 17, they are legally recognized as an adult and may be subject to the adult criminal court system. Despite being younger than adults, juveniles can still get charged with anything from a class C misdemeanor to capital murder. However, the penalties for these crimes will differ for juveniles compared to adults.

There are no minimum and maximum penalties in the juvenile system except in the case of determinate sentences, but a juvenile’s punishment would range from committing to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department until their 19th birthday or being on probation until their 18th birthday. If a juvenile was charged with a felony, however, a judge may issue a stronger punishment. In these cases, there are two options available:

1. Seek a determinate sentence that would potentially allow the juvenile’s punishment to be transferred to adult court or adult prison
2. Ask the court to waive its jurisdiction over the juvenile and certify them as an adult. A judge will review the following factors when determining whether to waive the court’s jurisdiction and certify a juvenile as an adult:
   1. Whether the alleged offense was against person or property, with the greater favor given to offenses against the person
   2. The juvenile’s sophistication and maturity
   3. The juvenile’s record and previous history
   4. The juvenile’s rehabilitation by use of the procedures, services, and facilities currently available to the juvenile court

The main difference between the two options is that a determinate sentence is kept in the juvenile court system, whereas a juvenile who is certified as an adult is transferred to adult court prior to any adjudication. If a juvenile gets a determinate sentence, their punishment ranges to a maximum of 40 years for capital and first-degree felonies, and 10 years for third-degree felonies. If they are certified as an adult, a juvenile could suffer adult punishments, including life in prison with eligibility for parole.

Examples of crimes that are eligible for a determinate sentence include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Murder
• Capital murder
• Attempted capital murder
• Manslaughter
• Intoxication manslaughter
• Aggravated kidnapping
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Sexual assault
• Aggravated assault
• Felony deadly conduct
• Aggravated or first-degree controlled substance felony
• First-degree felony arson

Essentially, the penalty depends on the crime. A juvenile can go through the adult criminal court system and suffer adult-level penalties if the prosecution successfully petitions to certify them as an adult. Or the prosecution can pursue a determinate sentence which would keep a defendant in the juvenile system and only subject them to a maximum of 40 years in prison.

Advantages of Obtaining a Skilled Juvenile Defense Lawyer in Fort Worth

Being convicted of a crime can have disastrous and long-lasting consequences on your child's well-being and future. A criminal record can mean difficulty for them in obtaining a good job, and it may even prevent them from being able to get into college. Having the representation of a skilled Fort Worth criminal attorney could help your child avoid these consequences, by building a defense that seeks to get the criminal charges reduced or dropped entirely.

Hire The Alband Law Firm for Your Child's Case

The Alband Law Firm is well-versed in handling criminal cases of all types, and we provide our clients with aggressive legal service that increases their chances of a case outcome that is advantageous to them.

Contact us today if your child has been arrested for a crime. Our team of dedicated juvenile defense lawyers in Fort Worth will guide and assist you and your child, always aiming for a resolution that supports a brighter and more successful future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do if My Child Is Arrested in Fort Worth?

If your child is arrested in Fort Worth, remain calm and promptly contact a trusted juvenile criminal attorney in Fort Worth. The police are required to notify parents or guardians when a minor is taken into custody, and you have the right to be present for key hearings and consult with your child on their rights. 

Advise your child not to answer questions until their juvenile criminal attorney from Fort Worth is present. Early involvement by The Alband Law Firm helps avoid missteps, clarify the process, and prioritize your child’s release or access to supportive diversion options. Our representation can benefit your child in initial detention hearings, probation meetings, and all interactions with court or law enforcement authorities in Tarrant County.

How Does the Juvenile Justice System in Fort Worth Differ from Adult Court?

The juvenile justice system in Fort Worth is designed with rehabilitation in mind, contrasted with the more punitive methods typically found in adult court. Juvenile cases are heard at the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center, where proceedings are confidential and specific privacy protections apply. Judges in Fort Worth consider the child’s background, community history, and needs—not just the offense itself—when issuing sentences, with an aim toward counseling, education, and probation over confinement. Severe or repeat offenses, however, may be referred to adult court, where adult criminal penalties are enforced. Navigating these differences requires the skill of a juvenile defense lawyer in Fort Worth to pursue all rehabilitative avenues and minimize long-term consequences.

Can My Child Be Tried as an Adult in Tarrant County?

Yes, in some serious cases, your child can be certified to stand trial as an adult in Tarrant County. This is possible if your child is at least 14 years old and is accused of certain felony offenses, especially those involving violence or prior offenses. Several factors are weighed, such as the severity of the charge, your child’s history and maturity, and whether past rehabilitative efforts have failed. When a court waives juvenile jurisdiction, the case transfers to adult court, where penalties are more severe. At The Alband Law Firm, our juvenile defense attorneys challenge unnecessary transfers to adult court, focusing on keeping youth cases in juvenile court, where opportunities for rehabilitation and a brighter future are greater.

Contact us to obtain legal support for your child's case.