FAMILY CODE
TITLE 3. JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE
CHAPTER 51. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 51.01. PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION. This title shall be
construed to effectuate the following public purposes:
(1) to provide for the protection of the public and
public safety;
(2) consistent with the protection of the public and
public safety:
(A) to promote the concept of punishment for
criminal acts;
(B) to remove, where appropriate, the taint of
criminality from children committing certain unlawful acts; and
(C) to provide treatment, training, and
rehabilitation that emphasizes the accountability and
responsibility of both the parent and the child for the child's
conduct;
(3) to provide for the care, the protection, and the
wholesome moral, mental, and physical development of children
coming within its provisions;
(4) to protect the welfare of the community and to
control the commission of unlawful acts by children;
(5) to achieve the foregoing purposes in a family
environment whenever possible, separating the child from the
child's parents only when necessary for the child's welfare or in
the interest of public safety and when a child is removed from the
child's family, to give the child the care that should be provided
by parents; and
(6) to provide a simple judicial procedure through
which the provisions of this title are executed and enforced and in
which the parties are assured a fair hearing and their
constitutional and other legal rights recognized and enforced.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
§ 51.02. DEFINITIONS. In this title:
(1) "Aggravated controlled substance felony" means an
offense under Subchapter D, Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code,
that is punishable by:
(A) a minimum term of confinement that is longer
than the minimum term of confinement for a felony of the first
degree; or
(B) a maximum fine that is greater than the
maximum fine for a felony of the first degree.
(2) "Child" means a person who is:
(A) ten years of age or older and under 17 years
of age; or
(B) seventeen years of age or older and under 18
years of age who is alleged or found to have engaged in delinquent
conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision as a result of
acts committed before becoming 17 years of age.
(3) "Custodian" means the adult with whom the child
resides.
(4) "Guardian" means the person who, under court
order, is the guardian of the person of the child or the public or
private agency with whom the child has been placed by a court.
(5) "Judge" or "juvenile court judge" means the judge
of a juvenile court.
(6) "Juvenile court" means a court designated under
Section 51.04 of this code to exercise jurisdiction over
proceedings under this title.
(7) "Law-enforcement officer" means a peace officer as
defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(8) "Nonoffender" means a child who:
(A) is subject to jurisdiction of a court under
abuse, dependency, or neglect statutes under Title 5 for reasons
other than legally prohibited conduct of the child; or
(B) has been taken into custody and is being held
solely for deportation out of the United States.
(9) "Parent" means the mother or the father of a child,
but does not include a parent whose parental rights have been
terminated.
(10) "Party" means the state, a child who is the
subject of proceedings under this subtitle, or the child's parent,
spouse, guardian, or guardian ad litem.
(11) "Prosecuting attorney" means the county
attorney, district attorney, or other attorney who regularly serves
in a prosecutory capacity in a juvenile court.
(12) "Referral to juvenile court" means the referral
of a child or a child's case to the office or official, including an
intake officer or probation officer, designated by the juvenile
board to process children within the juvenile justice system.
(13) "Secure correctional facility" means any public
or private residential facility, including an alcohol or other drug
treatment facility, that:
(A) includes construction fixtures designed to
physically restrict the movements and activities of juveniles or
other individuals held in lawful custody in the facility; and
(B) is used for the placement of any juvenile who
has been adjudicated as having committed an offense, any
nonoffender, or any other individual convicted of a criminal
offense.
(14) "Secure detention facility" means any public or
private residential facility that:
(A) includes construction fixtures designed to
physically restrict the movements and activities of juveniles or
other individuals held in lawful custody in the facility; and
(B) is used for the temporary placement of any
juvenile who is accused of having committed an offense, any
nonoffender, or any other individual accused of having committed a
criminal offense.
(15) "Status offender" means a child who is accused,
adjudicated, or convicted for conduct that would not, under state
law, be a crime if committed by an adult, including:
(A) truancy under Section 51.03(b)(2);
(B) running away from home under Section
51.03(b)(3);
(C) a fineable only offense under Section
51.03(b)(1) transferred to the juvenile court under Section
51.08(b), but only if the conduct constituting the offense would
not have been criminal if engaged in by an adult;
(D) failure to attend school under Section
25.094, Education Code;
(E) a violation of standards of student conduct
as described by Section 51.03(b)(5);
(F) a violation of a juvenile curfew ordinance or
order;
(G) a violation of a provision of the Alcoholic
Beverage Code applicable to minors only; or
(H) a violation of any other fineable only
offense under Section 8.07(a)(4) or (5), Penal Code, but only if the
conduct constituting the offense would not have been criminal if
engaged in by an adult.
(16) "Traffic offense" means:
(A) a violation of a penal statute cognizable
under Chapter 729, Transportation Code, except for conduct for
which the person convicted may be sentenced to imprisonment or
confinement in jail; or
(B) a violation of a motor vehicle traffic
ordinance of an incorporated city or town in this state.
(17) "Valid court order" means a court order entered
under Section 54.04 concerning a child adjudicated to have engaged
in conduct indicating a need for supervision as a status offender.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2152, ch. 693, § 1, eff.
Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 3, eff. Jan. 1,
1996; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 6.06, 30.182, eff. Sept.
1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 822, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1013, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts
1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, § 41, 47, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts
2001, 77th Leg., ch. 821, § 2.02, eff. June 14, 2001; Acts 2001,
77th Leg., ch. 1297, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th
Leg., ch. 283, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch.
949, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.03. DELINQUENT CONDUCT; CONDUCT INDICATING A NEED
FOR SUPERVISION. (a) Delinquent conduct is:
(1) conduct, other than a traffic offense, that
violates a penal law of this state or of the United States
punishable by imprisonment or by confinement in jail;
(2) conduct that violates a lawful order of a court
under circumstances that would constitute contempt of that court
in:
(A) a justice or municipal court; or
(B) a county court for conduct punishable only by
a fine;
(3) conduct that violates Section 49.04, 49.05, 49.06,
49.07, or 49.08, Penal Code; or
(4) conduct that violates Section 106.041, Alcoholic
Beverage Code, relating to driving under the influence of alcohol
by a minor (third or subsequent offense).
(b) Conduct indicating a need for supervision is:
(1) subject to Subsection (f), conduct, other than a
traffic offense, that violates:
(A) the penal laws of this state of the grade of
misdemeanor that are punishable by fine only; or
(B) the penal ordinances of any political
subdivision of this state;
(2) the absence of a child on 10 or more days or parts
of days within a six-month period in the same school year or on
three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period from
school;
(3) the voluntary absence of a child from the child's
home without the consent of the child's parent or guardian for a
substantial length of time or without intent to return;
(4) conduct prohibited by city ordinance or by state
law involving the inhalation of the fumes or vapors of paint and
other protective coatings or glue and other adhesives and the
volatile chemicals itemized in Section 484.002, Health and Safety
Code;
(5) an act that violates a school district's
previously communicated written standards of student conduct for
which the child has been expelled under Section 37.007(c),
Education Code; or
(6) conduct that violates a reasonable and lawful
order of a court entered under Section 264.305.
(c) Nothing in this title prevents criminal proceedings
against a child for perjury.
(d) It is an affirmative defense to an allegation of conduct
under Subsection (b)(2) that one or more of the absences required to
be proven under that subsection have been excused by a school
official or by the court or that one or more of the absences were
involuntary, but only if there is an insufficient number of
unexcused or voluntary absences remaining to constitute conduct
under Subsection (b)(2). The burden is on the respondent to show by
a preponderance of the evidence that the absence has been or should
be excused or that the absence was involuntary. A decision by the
court to excuse an absence for purposes of this subsection does not
affect the ability of the school district to determine whether to
excuse the absence for another purpose.
(e) For the purposes of Subsection (b)(3), "child" does not
include a person who is married, divorced, or widowed.
(f) Except as provided by Subsection (g), conduct described
under Subsection (b)(1), other than conduct that violates Section
49.02, Penal Code, prohibiting public intoxication, does not
constitute conduct indicating a need for supervision unless the
child has been referred to the juvenile court under Section
51.08(b).
(g) In a county with a population of less than 100,000,
conduct described by Subsection (b)(1)(A) that violates Section
25.094, Education Code, is conduct indicating a need for
supervision.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2153, ch. 693, § 2 to 4, eff.
Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 906, ch. 340, § 1, eff.
June 6, 1977; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 511, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 924, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987;
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 955, § 1, eff. June 19, 1987; Acts
1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1040, § 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987,
70th Leg., ch. 1099, § 48, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st
Leg., ch. 1100, § 3.02, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st
Leg., ch. 1245, § 1, 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg.,
ch. 14, § 284(35), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch.
16, § 7.02, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 169,
§ 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 46, § 1,
eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, § 14.30, eff.
Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 4, eff. Jan. 1,
1996; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 6.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1013, § 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts
1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1015, § 15, eff. June 19, 1997; Acts 1997,
75th Leg., ch. 1086, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th
Leg., ch. 1297, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg.,
ch. 1514, § 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch.
137, § 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949,
§ 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.031. HABITUAL FELONY CONDUCT. (a) Habitual felony
conduct is conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony,
other than a state jail felony, if:
(1) the child who engaged in the conduct has at least
two previous final adjudications as having engaged in delinquent
conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony;
(2) the second previous final adjudication is for
conduct that occurred after the date the first previous
adjudication became final; and
(3) all appeals relating to the previous adjudications
considered under Subdivisions (1) and (2) have been exhausted.
(b) For purposes of this section, an adjudication is final
if the child is placed on probation or committed to the Texas Youth
Commission.
(c) An adjudication based on conduct that occurred before
January 1, 1996, may not be considered in a disposition made under
this section.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, § 2, eff. Sept. 1,
1997.
§ 51.04. JURISDICTION. (a) This title covers the
proceedings in all cases involving the delinquent conduct or
conduct indicating a need for supervision engaged in by a person who
was a child within the meaning of this title at the time the person
engaged in the conduct, and, except as provided by Subsection (h),
the juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction over
proceedings under this title.
(b) In each county, the county's juvenile board shall
designate one or more district, criminal district, domestic
relations, juvenile, or county courts or county courts at law as the
juvenile court, subject to Subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
(c) If the county court is designated as a juvenile court,
at least one other court shall be designated as the juvenile court.
A county court does not have jurisdiction of a proceeding involving
a petition approved by a grand jury under Section 53.045 of this
code.
(d) If the judge of a court designated in Subsection (b) or
(c) of this section is not an attorney licensed in this state, there
shall also be designated an alternate court, the judge of which is
an attorney licensed in this state.
(e) A designation made under Subsection (b) or (c) of this
section may be changed from time to time by the authorized boards or
judges for the convenience of the people and the welfare of
children. However, there must be at all times a juvenile court
designated for each county. It is the intent of the legislature
that in selecting a court to be the juvenile court of each county,
the selection shall be made as far as practicable so that the court
designated as the juvenile court will be one which is presided over
by a judge who has a sympathetic understanding of the problems of
child welfare and that changes in the designation of juvenile
courts be made only when the best interest of the public requires
it.
(f) If the judge of the juvenile court or any alternate
judge named under Subsection (b) or (c) is not in the county or is
otherwise unavailable, any magistrate may make a determination
under Section 53.02(f) or may conduct the detention hearing
provided for in Section 54.01.
(g) The juvenile board may appoint a referee to make
determinations under Section 53.02(f) or to conduct hearings under
this title. The referee shall be an attorney licensed to practice
law in this state and shall comply with Section 54.10. Payment of
any referee services shall be provided from county funds.
(h) In a county with a population of less than 100,000, the
juvenile court has concurrent jurisdiction with the justice and
municipal courts over conduct engaged in by a child that violates
Section 25.094, Education Code.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1357, ch. 514, § 1, eff. June
19, 1975; Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2153, ch. 693, § 5 to 7, eff.
Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 1112, ch. 411, § 1, eff.
June 15, 1977; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 385, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 168, § 4, eff. Aug. 30, 1993;
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 232, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts
2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001,
77th Leg., ch. 1514, § 12, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 51.041. JURISDICTION AFTER APPEAL. (a) The court
retains jurisdiction over a person, without regard to the age of the
person, for conduct engaged in by the person before becoming 17
years of age if, as a result of an appeal by the person or the state
under Chapter 56 or by the person under Article 44.47, Code of
Criminal Procedure, of an order of the court, the order is reversed
or modified and the case remanded to the court by the appellate
court.
(b) If the respondent is at least 18 years of age when the
order of remand from the appellate court is received by the juvenile
court, the juvenile court shall proceed as provided by Sections
54.02(o)-(r) for the detention of a person at least 18 years of age
in discretionary transfer proceedings. Pending retrial of the
adjudication or transfer proceeding, the juvenile court may:
(1) order the respondent released from custody;
(2) order the respondent detained in a juvenile
detention facility; or
(3) set bond and order the respondent detained in a
county adult facility if bond is not made.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, § 4, eff. Sept. 1,
2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
§ 51.0411. JURISDICTION FOR TRANSFER OR RELEASE
HEARING. The court retains jurisdiction over a person, without
regard to the age of the person, who is referred to the court under
Section 54.11 for transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice or release under supervision.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, § 3, eff. June 19, 1997.
§ 51.0412. JURISDICTION OVER INCOMPLETE
PROCEEDINGS. The court retains jurisdiction over a person,
without regard to the age of the person, who is a respondent in an
adjudication proceeding, a disposition proceeding, or a proceeding
to modify disposition if:
(1) the petition or motion to modify was filed while
the respondent was younger than 18 years of age;
(2) the proceeding is not complete before the
respondent becomes 18 years of age; and
(3) the court enters a finding in the proceeding that
the prosecuting attorney exercised due diligence in an attempt to
complete the proceeding before the respondent became 18 years of
age.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 51.042. OBJECTION TO JURISDICTION BECAUSE OF AGE OF THE
CHILD. (a) A child who objects to the jurisdiction of the court
over the child because of the age of the child must raise the
objection at the adjudication hearing or discretionary transfer
hearing, if any.
(b) A child who does not object as provided by Subsection
(a) waives any right to object to the jurisdiction of the court
because of the age of the child at a later hearing or on appeal.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
§ 51.045. JURIES IN COUNTY COURTS AT LAW. If a provision
of this title requires a jury of 12 persons, that provision prevails
over any other law that limits the number of members of a jury in a
particular county court at law. The state and the defense are
entitled to the same number of peremptory challenges allowed in a
district court.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 385, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
§ 51.05. COURT SESSIONS AND FACILITIES. (a) The juvenile
court shall be deemed in session at all times. Suitable quarters
shall be provided by the commissioners court of each county for the
hearing of cases and for the use of the judge, the probation
officer, and other employees of the court.
(b) The juvenile court and the juvenile board shall report
annually to the commissioners court on the suitability of the
quarters and facilities of the juvenile court and may make
recommendations for their improvement.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2154, ch. 693, § 8, eff.
Sept. 1, 1975.
§ 51.06. VENUE. (a) A proceeding under this title shall
be commenced in
(1) the county in which the alleged delinquent conduct
or conduct indicating a need for supervision occurred; or
(2) the county in which the child resides at the time
the petition is filed, but only if:
(A) the child was under probation supervision in
that county at the time of the commission of the delinquent conduct
or conduct indicating a need for supervision;
(B) it cannot be determined in which county the
delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision
occurred; or
(C) the county in which the child resides agrees
to accept the case for prosecution, in writing, prior to the case
being sent to the county of residence for prosecution.
(b) An application for a writ of habeas corpus brought by or
on behalf of a person who has been committed to an institution under
the jurisdiction of the Texas Youth Commission and which attacks
the validity of the judgment of commitment shall be brought in the
county in which the court that entered the judgment of commitment is
located.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 161, ch. 44, art. 1, § 1, eff.
April 26, 1983; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 7, eff. Jan. 1,
1996; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 488, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 51.07. TRANSFER TO ANOTHER COUNTY FOR
DISPOSITION. When a child has been found to have engaged in
delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision
under Section 54.03, the juvenile court may transfer the case and
transcripts of records and documents to the juvenile court of the
county where the child resides for disposition of the case under
Section 54.04. Consent by the court of the county where the child
resides is not required.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 3, eff. Sept. 1,
2005.
§ 51.071. TRANSFER OF PROBATION SUPERVISION BETWEEN
COUNTIES: COURTESY SUPERVISION PROHIBITED. Except as provided by
Section 51.075, a juvenile court or juvenile probation department
may not engage in the practice of courtesy supervision of a child on
probation.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.072. TRANSFER OF PROBATION SUPERVISION BETWEEN
COUNTIES: INTERIM SUPERVISION. (a) In this section:
(1) "Receiving county" means the county to which a
child on probation has moved or intends to move.
(2) "Sending county" means the county that:
(A) originally placed the child on probation; or
(B) assumed permanent supervision of the child
under an inter-county transfer of probation supervision.
(b) When a child on probation moves or intends to move from
one county to another and intends to remain in the receiving county
for at least 60 days, the juvenile probation department of the
sending county shall request that the juvenile probation department
of the receiving county provide interim supervision of the child.
(c) The juvenile probation department of the receiving
county may refuse the request to provide interim supervision only
if:
(1) the residence of the child in the receiving county
is in a residential placement facility arranged by the sending
county; or
(2) the residence of the child in the receiving county
is in a foster care placement arranged by the Department of Family
and Protective Services.
(d) The juvenile probation department of the sending county
shall initiate the request for interim supervision by electronic
communication to the probation officer designated as the
inter-county transfer officer for the juvenile probation
department of the receiving county or, in the absence of this
designation, to the chief juvenile probation officer.
(e) The juvenile probation department of the sending county
shall provide the juvenile probation department of the receiving
county with the following information in the request for interim
supervision initiated under Subsection (d):
(1) the child's name, sex, age, and date of birth;
(2) the name, address, date of birth, and social
security or driver's license number of the person with whom the
child proposes to reside or is residing in the receiving county;
(3) the offense for which the child is on probation;
(4) the length of the child's probation term;
(5) a brief summary of the child's history of
referrals;
(6) a brief statement of any special needs of the
child; and
(7) the reason for the child moving or intending to
move to the receiving county.
(f) Not later than five business days after a receiving
county has agreed to provide interim supervision of a child, the
juvenile probation department of the sending county shall provide
the juvenile probation department of the receiving county with a
copy of the following documents:
(1) the petition and the adjudication and disposition
orders for the child, including the child's thumbprint;
(2) the child's conditions of probation;
(3) the social history report for the child;
(4) any psychological or psychiatric reports
concerning the child;
(5) the Department of Public Safety CR 43J form or
tracking incident number concerning the child;
(6) any law enforcement incident reports concerning
the offense for which the child is on probation;
(7) any sex offender registration information
concerning the child;
(8) any juvenile probation department progress
reports concerning the child and any other pertinent documentation
for the child's probation officer;
(9) case plans concerning the child;
(10) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission standard
assessment tool results for the child;
(11) the computerized referral and case history for
the child, including case disposition;
(12) the child's birth certificate;
(13) the child's social security number or social
security card, if available;
(14) the name, address, and telephone number of the
contact person in the sending county's juvenile probation
department;
(15) Title IV-E eligibility screening information for
the child, if available;
(16) the address in the sending county for forwarding
funds collected to which the sending county is entitled;
(17) any of the child's school or immunization records
that the juvenile probation department of the sending county
possesses; and
(18) any victim information concerning the case for
which the child is on probation.
(g) The juvenile probation department of the receiving
county shall supervise the child under the probation conditions
imposed by the sending county and provide services similar to those
provided to a child placed on probation under the same conditions in
the receiving county. On request of the juvenile probation
department of the receiving county, the juvenile court of the
receiving county may modify the original probation conditions and
impose new conditions using the procedures in Section 54.05. The
juvenile court of the receiving county may not modify a financial
probation condition imposed by the juvenile court of the sending
county or the length of the child's probation term. The juvenile
court of the receiving county shall designate a cause number for
identifying the modification proceedings.
(h) The juvenile court of the sending county may revoke
probation for a violation of a condition imposed by the juvenile
court of the sending county only if the condition has not been
specifically modified or replaced by the juvenile court of the
receiving county. The juvenile court of the receiving county may
revoke probation for a violation of a condition of probation that
the juvenile court of the receiving county has modified or imposed.
(i) If a child is reasonably believed to have violated a
condition of probation imposed by the juvenile court of the sending
county, the juvenile court of the sending or receiving county may
issue a directive to apprehend or detain the child in a certified
detention facility, as in other cases of probation violation. In
order to respond to a probation violation under this subsection,
the juvenile court of the receiving county may:
(1) modify the conditions of probation or extend the
probation term; or
(2) require that the juvenile probation department of
the sending county resume direct supervision for the child.
(j) On receiving a directive from the juvenile court of the
receiving county under Subsection (i)(2), the juvenile probation
department of the sending county shall arrange for the prompt
transportation of the child back to the sending county at the
expense of the sending county.
(k) The juvenile probation department of the receiving
county is entitled to any probation supervision fees collected from
the child or the child's parent while providing interim supervision
for the child.
(l) The sending county is financially responsible for any
special treatment program or placement that the juvenile court of
the sending county requires as a condition of probation if the
child's family is financially unable to pay for the program or
placement.
(m) Except as provided by Subsection (n), a period of
interim supervision may not exceed 180 days. Permanent supervision
automatically transfers to the juvenile probation department of the
receiving county after the expiration of the period of interim
supervision. The juvenile probation department of the receiving
county may request permanent supervision from the juvenile
probation department of the sending county at any time before the
180-day interim supervision period expires.
(n) Notwithstanding Subsection (m), the period of interim
supervision of a child who is placed on probation under Section
54.04(q) does not expire until the child has satisfactorily
completed one-third of the term of probation, including one-third
of the term of any extension of the probation term ordered under
Section 54.05. Permanent supervision automatically transfers to
the probation department of the receiving county after the
expiration of the period of interim supervision under this
subsection. The juvenile court of the sending county may order
transfer of the permanent supervision before the expiration of the
period of interim supervision under this subsection.
(o) At least once every 90 days during the period of interim
supervision, the juvenile probation department of the receiving
county shall provide the juvenile probation department of the
sending county with a progress report of supervision concerning the
child.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.073. TRANSFER OF PROBATION SUPERVISION BETWEEN
COUNTIES: PERMANENT SUPERVISION. (a) In this section:
(1) "Receiving county" means the county to which a
child on probation has moved or intends to move.
(2) "Sending county" means the county that:
(A) originally placed the child on probation; or
(B) assumed permanent supervision of the child
under an inter-county transfer of probation supervision.
(b) On transfer of permanent supervision of a child under
Section 51.072(m) or (n), the juvenile court of the sending county
shall order the juvenile probation department of the sending county
to provide the juvenile probation department of the receiving
county with the order of transfer. On receipt of the order of
transfer, the juvenile probation department of the receiving county
shall ensure that the order of transfer, the petition, the order of
adjudication, the order of disposition, and the conditions of
probation are filed with the clerk of the juvenile court of the
receiving county.
(c) The juvenile court of the receiving county shall require
that the child be brought before the court in order to impose
conditions of probation. The child shall be represented by counsel
as provided by Section 51.10.
(d) Once permanent supervision is transferred to the
juvenile probation department of the receiving county, the
receiving county is fully responsible for selecting and imposing
conditions of probation, providing supervision, modifying
conditions of probation, and revoking probation. The sending
county has no further jurisdiction over the child's case.
(e) This section does not affect the sending county's
jurisdiction over any new offense committed by the child in the
sending county.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.074. TRANSFER OF PROBATION SUPERVISION BETWEEN
COUNTIES: DEFERRED PROSECUTION. A juvenile court may transfer
interim supervision, but not permanent supervision, to the county
where a child on deferred prosecution resides.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.075. COLLABORATIVE SUPERVISION BETWEEN ADJOINING
COUNTIES. (a) If a child who is on probation in one county spends
substantial time in an adjoining county, including residing,
attending school, or working in the adjoining county, the juvenile
probation departments of the two counties may enter into a
collaborative supervision arrangement regarding the child.
(b) Under a collaborative supervision arrangement, the
juvenile probation department of the adjoining county may authorize
a probation officer for the county to provide supervision and other
services for the child as an agent of the juvenile probation
department of the county in which the child was placed on probation.
The probation officer providing supervision and other services for
the child in the adjoining county shall provide the probation
officer supervising the child in the county in which the child was
placed on probation with periodic oral, electronic, or written
reports concerning the child.
(c) The juvenile court of the county in which the child was
placed on probation retains sole authority to modify, amend,
extend, or revoke the child's probation.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.08. TRANSFER FROM CRIMINAL COURT. (a) If the
defendant in a criminal proceeding is a child who is charged with an
offense other than perjury, a traffic offense, a misdemeanor
punishable by fine only other than public intoxication, or a
violation of a penal ordinance of a political subdivision, unless
he has been transferred to criminal court under Section 54.02 of
this code, the court exercising criminal jurisdiction shall
transfer the case to the juvenile court, together with a copy of the
accusatory pleading and other papers, documents, and transcripts of
testimony relating to the case, and shall order that the child be
taken to the place of detention designated by the juvenile court, or
shall release him to the custody of his parent, guardian, or
custodian, to be brought before the juvenile court at a time
designated by that court.
(b) A court in which there is pending a complaint against a
child alleging a violation of a misdemeanor offense punishable by
fine only other than a traffic offense or public intoxication or a
violation of a penal ordinance of a political subdivision other
than a traffic offense:
(1) except as provided by Subsection (d), shall waive
its original jurisdiction and refer a child to juvenile court if the
child has previously been convicted of:
(A) two or more misdemeanors punishable by fine
only other than a traffic offense or public intoxication;
(B) two or more violations of a penal ordinance
of a political subdivision other than a traffic offense; or
(C) one or more of each of the types of
misdemeanors described in Paragraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision;
and
(2) may waive its original jurisdiction and refer a
child to juvenile court if the child:
(A) has not previously been convicted of a
misdemeanor punishable by fine only other than a traffic offense or
public intoxication or a violation of a penal ordinance of a
political subdivision other than a traffic offense; or
(B) has previously been convicted of fewer than
two misdemeanors punishable by fine only other than a traffic
offense or public intoxication or two violations of a penal
ordinance of a political subdivision other than a traffic offense.
(c) A court in which there is pending a complaint against a
child alleging a violation of a misdemeanor offense punishable by
fine only other than a traffic offense or public intoxication or a
violation of a penal ordinance of a political subdivision other
than a traffic offense shall notify the juvenile court of the county
in which the court is located of the pending complaint and shall
furnish to the juvenile court a copy of the final disposition of any
matter for which the court does not waive its original jurisdiction
under Subsection (b) of this section.
(d) A court that has implemented a juvenile case manager
program under Article 45.056, Code of Criminal Procedure, may, but
is not required to, waive its original jurisdiction under
Subsection (b)(1).
(e) A juvenile court may not refuse to accept the transfer
of a case brought under Section 25.094, Education Code, for a child
described by Subsection (b)(1) if a prosecuting attorney for the
court determines under Section 53.012 that the case is legally
sufficient under Section 53.01 for adjudication in juvenile court.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1040, § 21, eff. Sept. 1,
1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1245, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1989;
Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 169, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts
2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003,
78th Leg., ch. 283, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2005, 79th
Leg., ch. 650, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.09. WAIVER OF RIGHTS. Unless a contrary intent
clearly appears elsewhere in this title, any right granted to a
child by this title or by the constitution or laws of this state or
the United States may be waived in proceedings under this title if:
(1) the waiver is made by the child and the attorney
for the child;
(2) the child and the attorney waiving the right are
informed of and understand the right and the possible consequences
of waiving it;
(3) the waiver is voluntary; and
(4) the waiver is made in writing or in court
proceedings that are recorded.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2154, ch. 693, § 9, eff.
Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 84, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 64, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991;
Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 429, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts
1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 557, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991,
72nd Leg., ch. 593, § 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1995, 74th
Leg., ch. 262, § 8, 9, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, 75th Leg.,
ch. 1086, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 51.095. ADMISSIBILITY OF A STATEMENT OF A CHILD. (a)
Notwithstanding Section 51.09, the statement of a child is
admissible in evidence in any future proceeding concerning the
matter about which the statement was given if:
(1) the statement is made in writing under a
circumstance described by Subsection (d) and:
(A) the statement shows that the child has at
some time before the making of the statement received from a
magistrate a warning that:
(i) the child may remain silent and not make
any statement at all and that any statement that the child makes may
be used in evidence against the child;
(ii) the child has the right to have an
attorney present to advise the child either prior to any
questioning or during the questioning;
(iii) if the child is unable to employ an
attorney, the child has the right to have an attorney appointed to
counsel with the child before or during any interviews with peace
officers or attorneys representing the state; and
(iv) the child has the right to terminate
the interview at any time;
(B) and:
(i) the statement must be signed in the
presence of a magistrate by the child with no law enforcement
officer or prosecuting attorney present, except that a magistrate
may require a bailiff or a law enforcement officer if a bailiff is
not available to be present if the magistrate determines that the
presence of the bailiff or law enforcement officer is necessary for
the personal safety of the magistrate or other court personnel,
provided that the bailiff or law enforcement officer may not carry a
weapon in the presence of the child; and
(ii) the magistrate must be fully convinced
that the child understands the nature and contents of the statement
and that the child is signing the same voluntarily, and if a
statement is taken, the magistrate must sign a written statement
verifying the foregoing requisites have been met;
(C) the child knowingly, intelligently, and
voluntarily waives these rights before and during the making of the
statement and signs the statement in the presence of a magistrate;
and
(D) the magistrate certifies that the magistrate
has examined the child independent of any law enforcement officer
or prosecuting attorney, except as required to ensure the personal
safety of the magistrate or other court personnel, and has
determined that the child understands the nature and contents of
the statement and has knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily
waived these rights;
(2) the statement is made orally and the child makes a
statement of facts or circumstances that are found to be true and
tend to establish the child's guilt, such as the finding of secreted
or stolen property, or the instrument with which the child states
the offense was committed;
(3) the statement was res gestae of the delinquent
conduct or the conduct indicating a need for supervision or of the
arrest;
(4) the statement is made:
(A) in open court at the child's adjudication
hearing;
(B) before a grand jury considering a petition,
under Section 53.045, that the child engaged in delinquent conduct;
or
(C) at a preliminary hearing concerning the child
held in compliance with this code, other than at a detention hearing
under Section 54.01; or
(5) subject to Subsection (f), the statement is made
orally under a circumstance described by Subsection (d) and the
statement is recorded by an electronic recording device, including
a device that records images, and:
(A) before making the statement, the child is
given the warning described by Subdivision (1)(A) by a magistrate,
the warning is a part of the recording, and the child knowingly,
intelligently, and voluntarily waives each right stated in the
warning;
(B) the recording device is capable of making an
accurate recording, the operator of the device is competent to use
the device, the recording is accurate, and the recording has not
been altered;
(C) each voice on the recording is identified;
and
(D) not later than the 20th day before the date of
the proceeding, the attorney representing the child is given a
complete and accurate copy of each recording of the child made under
this subdivision.
(b) This section and Section 51.09 do not preclude the
admission of a statement made by the child if:
(1) the statement does not stem from interrogation of
the child under a circumstance described by Subsection (d); or
(2) without regard to whether the statement stems from
interrogation of the child under a circumstance described by
Subsection (d), the statement is voluntary and has a bearing on the
credibility of the child as a witness.
(c) An electronic recording of a child's statement made
under Subsection (a)(5) shall be preserved until all juvenile or
criminal matters relating to any conduct referred to in the
statement are final, including the exhaustion of all appeals, or
barred from prosecution.
(d) Subsections (a)(1) and (a)(5) apply to the statement of
a child made:
(1) while the child is in a detention facility or other
place of confinement;
(2) while the child is in the custody of an officer;
or
(3) during or after the interrogation of the child by
an officer if the child is in the possession of the Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services and is suspected to have engaged
in conduct that violates a penal law of this state.
(e) A juvenile law referee or master may perform the duties
imposed on a magistrate under this section without the approval of
the juvenile court if the juvenile board of the county in which the
statement of the child is made has authorized a referee or master to
perform the duties of a magistrate under this section.
(f) A magistrate who provides the warnings required by
Subsection (a)(5) for a videotaped statement may at the time the
warnings are provided request by speaking on the tape recording
that the officer return the child and the videotape to the
magistrate at the conclusion of the process of questioning. The
magistrate may then view the videotape with the child or have the
child view the videotape to enable the magistrate to determine
whether the child's statements were given voluntarily. If a
magistrate uses the procedure described by this subsection, a
child's statement is not admissible unless the magistrate
determines that the statement was given voluntarily.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 982, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999;
Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, § 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts
2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, § 21.001(29), eff. Sept. 1, 2001;
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.10. RIGHT TO ASSISTANCE OF ATTORNEY;
COMPENSATION. (a) A child may be represented by an attorney at
every stage of proceedings under this title, including:
(1) the detention hearing required by Section 54.01 of
this code;
(2) the hearing to consider transfer to criminal court
required by Section 54.02 of this code;
(3) the adjudication hearing required by Section 54.03
of this code;
(4) the disposition hearing required by Section 54.04
of this code;
(5) the hearing to modify disposition required by
Section 54.05 of this code;
(6) hearings required by Chapter 55 of this code;
(7) habeas corpus proceedings challenging the
legality of detention resulting from action under this title; and
(8) proceedings in a court of civil appeals or the
Texas Supreme Court reviewing proceedings under this title.
(b) The child's right to representation by an attorney shall
not be waived in:
(1) a hearing to consider transfer to criminal court
as required by Section 54.02 of this code;
(2) an adjudication hearing as required by Section
54.03 of this code;
(3) a disposition hearing as required by Section 54.04
of this code;
(4) a hearing prior to commitment to the Texas Youth
Commission as a modified disposition in accordance with Section
54.05(f) of this code; or
(5) hearings required by Chapter 55 of this code.
(c) If the child was not represented by an attorney at the
detention hearing required by Section 54.01 of this code and a
determination was made to detain the child, the child shall
immediately be entitled to representation by an attorney. The
court shall order the retention of an attorney according to
Subsection (d) or appoint an attorney according to Subsection (f).
(d) The court shall order a child's parent or other person
responsible for support of the child to employ an attorney to
represent the child, if:
(1) the child is not represented by an attorney;
(2) after giving the appropriate parties an
opportunity to be heard, the court determines that the parent or
other person responsible for support of the child is financially
able to employ an attorney to represent the child; and
(3) the child's right to representation by an
attorney:
(A) has not been waived under Section 51.09 of
this code; or
(B) may not be waived under Subsection (b) of
this section.
(e) The court may enforce orders under Subsection (d) by
proceedings under Section 54.07 or by appointing counsel and
ordering the parent or other person responsible for support of the
child to pay a reasonable attorney's fee set by the court. The
order may be enforced under Section 54.07.
(f) The court shall appoint an attorney to represent the
interest of a child entitled to representation by an attorney, if:
(1) the child is not represented by an attorney;
(2) the court determines that the child's parent or
other person responsible for support of the child is financially
unable to employ an attorney to represent the child; and
(3) the child's right to representation by an
attorney:
(A) has not been waived under Section 51.09 of
this code; or
(B) may not be waived under Subsection (b) of
this section.
(g) The juvenile court may appoint an attorney in any case
in which it deems representation necessary to protect the interests
of the child.
(h) Any attorney representing a child in proceedings under
this title is entitled to 10 days to prepare for any adjudication or
transfer hearing under this title.
(i) Except as provided in Subsection (d) of this section, an
attorney appointed under this section to represent the interests of
a child shall be paid from the general fund of the county in which
the proceedings were instituted according to the schedule in
Article 26.05 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, 1965. For
this purpose, a bona fide appeal to a court of civil appeals or
proceedings on the merits in the Texas Supreme Court are considered
the equivalent of a bona fide appeal to the Texas Court of Criminal
Appeals.
(j) The juvenile board of a county may make available to the
public the list of attorneys eligible for appointment to represent
children in proceedings under this title as provided in the plan
adopted under Section 51.102. The list of attorneys must indicate
the level of case for which each attorney is eligible for
appointment under Section 51.102(b)(2).
(k) Subject to Chapter 61, the juvenile court may order the
parent or other person responsible for support of the child to
reimburse the county for payments the county made to counsel
appointed to represent the child under Subsection (f) or (g). The
court may:
(1) order payment for each attorney who has
represented the child at any hearing, including a detention
hearing, discretionary transfer hearing, adjudication hearing,
disposition hearing, or modification of disposition hearing;
(2) include amounts paid to or on behalf of the
attorney by the county for preparation time and investigative and
expert witness costs; and
(3) require full or partial reimbursement to the
county.
(l) The court may not order payments under Subsection (k)
that exceed the financial ability of the parent or other person
responsible for support of the child to meet the payment schedule
ordered by the court.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 161, ch. 44, art. 1, § 2, eff.
April 26, 1983; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 11, eff. Jan. 1,
1996; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, § 8, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
§ 51.101. APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY AND CONTINUATION OF
REPRESENTATION. (a) If an attorney is appointed at the initial
detention hearing and the child is detained, the attorney shall
continue to represent the child until the case is terminated, the
family retains an attorney, or a new attorney is appointed by the
juvenile court. Release of the child from detention does not
terminate the attorney's representation.
(b) If there is an initial detention hearing without an
attorney and the child is detained, the attorney appointed under
Section 51.10(c) shall continue to represent the child until the
case is terminated, the family retains an attorney, or a new
attorney is appointed by the juvenile court. Release of the child
from detention does not terminate the attorney's representation.
(c) The juvenile court shall determine, on the filing of a
petition, whether the child's family is indigent if:
(1) the child is released by intake;
(2) the child is released at the initial detention
hearing; or
(3) the case was referred to the court without the
child in custody.
(d) A juvenile court that makes a finding of indigence under
Subsection (c) shall appoint an attorney to represent the child on
or before the fifth working day after the date the petition for
adjudication or discretionary transfer hearing was served on the
child. An attorney appointed under this subsection shall continue
to represent the child until the case is terminated, the family
retains an attorney, or a new attorney is appointed by the juvenile
court.
(e) The juvenile court shall determine whether the child's
family is indigent if a motion or petition is filed under Section
54.05 seeking to modify disposition by committing the child to the
Texas Youth Commission or placing the child in a secure
correctional facility. A court that makes a finding of indigence
shall appoint an attorney to represent the child on or before the
fifth working day after the date the petition or motion has been
filed. An attorney appointed under this subsection shall continue
to represent the child until the court rules on the motion or
petition, the family retains an attorney, or a new attorney is
appointed.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, § 9, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 51.102. APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL PLAN. (a) The juvenile
board in each county shall adopt a plan that:
(1) specifies the qualifications necessary for an
attorney to be included on an appointment list from which attorneys
are appointed to represent children in proceedings under this
title; and
(2) establishes the procedures for:
(A) including attorneys on the appointment list
and removing attorneys from the list; and
(B) appointing attorneys from the appointment
list to individual cases.
(b) A plan adopted under Subsection (a) must:
(1) to the extent practicable, comply with the
requirements of Article 26.04, Code of Criminal Procedure, except
that:
(A) the income and assets of the child's parent
or other person responsible for the child's support must be used in
determining whether the child is indigent; and
(B) any alternative plan for appointing counsel
is established by the juvenile board in the county; and
(2) recognize the differences in qualifications and
experience necessary for appointments to cases in which:
(A) the allegation is:
(i) conduct indicating a need for
supervision or delinquent conduct, and commitment to the Texas
Youth Commission is not an authorized disposition; or
(ii) delinquent conduct, and commitment to
the Texas Youth Commission without a determinate sentence is an
authorized disposition; or
(B) determinate sentence proceedings have been
initiated or proceedings for discretionary transfer to criminal
court have been initiated.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 906, § 11, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.
Renumbered from § 51.101 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1275, §
2(51), eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Renumbered from § 51.101 and amended
by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
§ 51.11. GUARDIAN AD LITEM. (a) If a child appears before
the juvenile court without a parent or guardian, the court shall
appoint a guardian ad litem to protect the interests of the child.
The juvenile court need not appoint a guardian ad litem if a parent
or guardian appears with the child.
(b) In any case in which it appears to the juvenile court
that the child's parent or guardian is incapable or unwilling to
make decisions in the best interest of the child with respect to
proceedings under this title, the court may appoint a guardian ad
litem to protect the interests of the child in the proceedings.
(c) An attorney for a child may also be his guardian ad
litem. A law-enforcement officer, probation officer, or other
employee of the juvenile court may not be appointed guardian ad
litem.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
§ 51.115. ATTENDANCE AT HEARING: PARENT OR OTHER
GUARDIAN. (a) Each parent of a child, each managing and possessory
conservator of a child, each court-appointed custodian of a child,
and a guardian of the person of the child shall attend each hearing
affecting the child held under:
(1) Section 54.02 (waiver of jurisdiction and
discretionary transfer to criminal court);
(2) Section 54.03 (adjudication hearing);
(3) Section 54.04 (disposition hearing);
(4) Section 54.05 (hearing to modify disposition);
and
(5) Section 54.11 (release or transfer hearing).
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to:
(1) a person for whom, for good cause shown, the court
waives attendance;
(2) a person who is not a resident of this state; or
(3) a parent of a child for whom a managing conservator
has been appointed and the parent is not a conservator of the child.
(c) A person required under this section to attend a hearing
is entitled to reasonable written or oral notice that includes a
statement of the place, date, and time of the hearing and that the
attendance of the person is required. The notice may be included
with or attached to any other notice required by this chapter to be
given the person. Separate notice is not required for a disposition
hearing that convenes on the adjournment of an adjudication
hearing. If a person required under this section fails to attend a
hearing, the juvenile court may proceed with the hearing.
(d) A person who is required by Subsection (a) to attend a
hearing, who receives the notice of the hearing, and who fails to
attend the hearing may be punished by the court for contempt by a
fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000. In addition to
or in lieu of contempt, the court may order the person to receive
counseling or to attend an educational course on the duties and
responsibilities of parents and skills and techniques in raising
children.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 10, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
§ 51.116. RIGHT TO REEMPLOYMENT. (a) An employer may not
terminate the employment of a permanent employee because the
employee is required under Section 51.115 to attend a hearing.
(b) An employee whose employment is terminated in violation
of this section is entitled to return to the same employment that
the employee held when notified of the hearing if the employee, as
soon as practical after the hearing, gives the employer actual
notice that the employee intends to return.
(c) A person who is injured because of a violation of this
section is entitled to reinstatement to the person's former
position and to damages, but the damages may not exceed an amount
equal to six months' compensation at the rate at which the person
was compensated when required to attend the hearing.
(d) The injured person is also entitled to reasonable
attorney's fees in an amount approved by the court.
(e) It is a defense to an action brought under this section
that the employer's circumstances changed while the employee
attended the hearing so that reemployment was impossible or
unreasonable. To establish a defense under this subsection, an
employer must prove that the termination of employment was because
of circumstances other than the employee's attendance at the
hearing.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 10, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
§ 51.12. PLACE AND CONDITIONS OF DETENTION. (a) Except
as provided by Subsection (h), a child may be detained only in a:
(1) juvenile processing office in compliance with
Section 52.025;
(2) place of nonsecure custody in compliance with
Article 45.058, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(3) certified juvenile detention facility that
complies with the requirements of Subsection (f);
(4) secure detention facility as provided by
Subsection (j); or
(5) county jail or other facility as provided by
Subsection (l).
(b) The proper authorities in each county shall provide a
suitable place of detention for children who are parties to
proceedings under this title, but the juvenile board shall control
the conditions and terms of detention and detention supervision and
shall permit visitation with the child at all reasonable times.
(c) In each county, each judge of the juvenile court and a
majority of the members of the juvenile board shall personally
inspect the juvenile pre-adjudication secure detention facilities
and any public or private juvenile secure correctional facilities
used for post-adjudication confinement that are located in the
county and operated under authority of the juvenile board at least
annually and shall certify in writing to the authorities
responsible for operating and giving financial support to the
facilities and to the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission that they
are suitable or unsuitable for the detention of children in
accordance with:
(1) the requirements of Subsections (a), (f), and (g);
and
(2) minimum professional standards for the detention
of children in pre-adjudication or post-adjudication secure
confinement promulgated by the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission
or, at the election of the juvenile board, the current standards
promulgated by the American Correctional Association.
(d) Except as provided by Subsections (j) and (l), a child
may not be placed in a facility that has not been certified under
Subsection (c) as suitable for the detention of children and
registered under Subsection (i). Except as provided by Subsections
(j) and (l), a child detained in a facility that has not been
certified under Subsection (c) as suitable for the detention of
children or that has not been registered under Subsection (i) shall
be entitled to immediate release from custody in that facility.
(e) If there is no certified place of detention in the
county in which the petition is filed, the designated place of
detention may be in another county.
(f) A child detained in a building that contains a jail,
lockup, or other place of secure confinement, including an alcohol
or other drug treatment facility, shall be separated by sight and
sound from adults detained in the same building. Children and
adults are separated by sight and sound only if they are unable to
see each other and conversation between them is not possible. The
separation must extend to all areas of the facility, including
sally ports and passageways, and those areas used for admission,
counseling, sleeping, toileting, showering, dining, recreational,
educational, or vocational activities, and health care. The
separation may be accomplished through architectural design.
(g) Except for a child detained in a juvenile processing
office, a place of nonsecure custody, a secure detention facility
as provided by Subsection (j), or a facility as provided by
Subsection (l), a child detained in a building that contains a jail
or lockup may not have any contact with:
(1) part-time or full-time security staff, including
management, who have contact with adults detained in the same
building; or
(2) direct-care staff who have contact with adults
detained in the same building.
(h) This section does not apply to a person:
(1) after transfer to criminal court for prosecution
under Section 54.02; or
(2) who is at least 17 years of age and who has been
taken into custody after having:
(A) escaped from a juvenile facility operated by
or under contract with the Texas Youth Commission; or
(B) violated a condition of release under
supervision of the Texas Youth Commission.
(i) Except for a facility operated or certified by the Texas
Youth Commission or a facility as provided by Subsection (l), a
governmental unit or private entity that operates or contracts for
the operation of a juvenile pre-adjudication secure detention
facility or a juvenile post-adjudication secure correctional
facility in this state shall:
(1) register the facility annually with the Texas
Juvenile Probation Commission; and
(2) adhere to all applicable minimum standards for the
facility.
(j) After being taken into custody, a child may be detained
in a secure detention facility until the child is released under
Section 53.01, 53.012, or 53.02 or until a detention hearing is held
under Section 54.01(a), regardless of whether the facility has been
certified under Subsection (c), if:
(1) a certified juvenile detention facility is not
available in the county in which the child is taken into custody;
(2) the detention facility complies with:
(A) the short-term detention standards adopted
by the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission; and
(B) the requirements of Subsection (f); and
(3) the detention facility has been designated by the
county juvenile board for the county in which the facility is
located.
(k) If a child who is detained under Subsection (j) or (l) is
not released from detention at the conclusion of the detention
hearing for a reason stated in Section 54.01(e), the child may be
detained after the hearing only in a certified juvenile detention
facility.
(l) A child who is taken into custody and required to be
detained under Section 53.02(f) may be detained in a county jail or
other facility until the child is released under Section 53.02(f)
or until a detention hearing is held as required by Section
54.01(p), regardless of whether the facility complies with the
requirements of this section, if:
(1) a certified juvenile detention facility or a
secure detention facility described by Subsection (j) is not
available in the county in which the child is taken into custody or
in an adjacent county;
(2) the facility has been designated by the county
juvenile board for the county in which the facility is located;
(3) the child is separated by sight and sound from
adults detained in the same facility through architectural design
or time-phasing;
(4) the child does not have any contact with
management or direct-care staff that has contact with adults
detained in the same facility on the same work shift;
(5) the county in which the child is taken into custody
is not located in a metropolitan statistical area as designated by
the United States Bureau of the Census; and
(6) each judge of the juvenile court and a majority of
the members of the juvenile board of the county in which the child
is taken into custody have personally inspected the facility at
least annually and have certified in writing to the Texas Juvenile
Probation Commission that the facility complies with the
requirements of Subdivisions (3) and (4).
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2155, ch. 693, § 10, 11, eff.
Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 293, § 1, eff. Aug. 26,
1985; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, § 31, eff. Sept. 1, 1987;
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 12, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts
1997, 75th Leg., ch. 772, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997,
75th Leg., ch. 1374, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th
Leg., ch. 62, § 6.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg.,
ch. 232, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477,
§ 2, eff; Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, §
10, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1514, § 13,
eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 51.13. EFFECT OF ADJUDICATION OR DISPOSITION. (a)
Except as provided by Subsection (d), an order of adjudication or
disposition in a proceeding under this title is not a conviction of
crime. Except as provided by Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code,
an order of adjudication or disposition does not impose any civil
disability ordinarily resulting from a conviction or operate to
disqualify the child in any civil service application or
appointment.
(b) The adjudication or disposition of a child or evidence
adduced in a hearing under this title may be used only in
subsequent:
(1) proceedings under this title in which the child is
a party;
(2) sentencing proceedings in criminal court against
the child to the extent permitted by the Texas Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1965; or
(3) civil commitment proceedings under Chapter 841,
Health and Safety Code.
(c) A child may not be committed or transferred to a penal
institution or other facility used primarily for the execution of
sentences of persons convicted of crime, except:
(1) for temporary detention in a jail or lockup
pending juvenile court hearing or disposition under conditions
meeting the requirements of Section 51.12 of this code;
(2) after transfer for prosecution in criminal court
under Section 54.02 of this code; or
(3) after transfer from the Texas Youth Commission
under Section 61.084, Human Resources Code.
(d) An adjudication under Section 54.03 that a child engaged
in conduct that occurred on or after January 1, 1996, and that
constitutes a felony offense resulting in commitment to the Texas
Youth Commission under Section 54.04(d)(2), (d)(3), or (m) or
54.05(f) is a final felony conviction only for the purposes of
Sections 12.42(a), (b), (c)(1), and (e), Penal Code.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 385, § 3, eff. Sept. 1,
1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 799, § 1, eff. June 18, 1993;
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 13, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts
1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999,
76th Leg., ch. 1188, § 4.02, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th
Leg., ch. 283, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
§ 51.151. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION. If a child is taken
into custody under Section 52.01 of this code, a person may not
administer a polygraph examination to the child without the consent
of the child's attorney or the juvenile court unless the child is
transferred to criminal court for prosecution under Section 54.02
of this code.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 708, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
§ 51.17. PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE. (a) Except for the
burden of proof to be borne by the state in adjudicating a child to
be delinquent or in need of supervision under Section 54.03(f) or
otherwise when in conflict with a provision of this title, the Texas
Rules of Civil Procedure govern proceedings under this title.
(b) Discovery in a proceeding under this title is governed
by the Code of Criminal Procedure and by case decisions in criminal
cases.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by this title, the Texas
Rules of Evidence applicable to criminal cases and Chapter 38, Code
of Criminal Procedure, apply in a judicial proceeding under this
title.
(d) When on the motion for appointment of an interpreter by
a party or on the motion of the juvenile court, in any proceeding
under this title, the court determines that the child, the child's
parent or guardian, or a witness does not understand and speak
English, an interpreter must be sworn to interpret for the person as
provided by Article 38.30, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(e) In any proceeding under this title, if a party notifies
the court that the child, the child's parent or guardian, or a
witness is deaf, the court shall appoint a qualified interpreter to
interpret the proceedings in any language, including sign language,
that the deaf person can understand, as provided by Article 38.31,
Code of Criminal Procedure.
(f) Any requirement under this title that a document contain
a person's signature, including the signature of a judge or a clerk
of the court, is satisfied if the document contains the signature of
the person as captured on an electronic device or as a digital
signature. Article 2.26, Code of Criminal Procedure, applies in a
proceeding held under this title.
(g) Articles 21.07, 26.07, 26.08, 26.09, and 26.10, Code of
Criminal Procedure, relating to the name of an adult defendant in a
criminal case, apply to a child in a proceeding held under this
title.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, § 14, eff. Jan. 1,
1996; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999;
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, § 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts
2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.18. ELECTION BETWEEN JUVENILE COURT AND ALTERNATE
JUVENILE COURT. (a) This section applies only to a child who has a
right to a trial before a juvenile court the judge of which is not an
attorney licensed in this state.
(b) On any matter that may lead to an order appealable under
Section 56.01 of this code, a child may be tried before either the
juvenile court or the alternate juvenile court.
(c) The child may elect to be tried before the alternate
juvenile court only if the child files a written notice with that
court not later than 10 days before the date of the trial. After the
notice is filed, the child may be tried only in the alternate
juvenile court. If the child does not file a notice as provided by
this subsection, the child may be tried only in the juvenile court.
(d) If the child is tried before the juvenile court, the
child is not entitled to a trial de novo before the alternate
juvenile court.
(e) The child may appeal any order of the juvenile court or
alternate juvenile court only as provided by Section 56.01 of this
code.
Added by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 1112, ch. 411, § 2, eff. June
15, 1977. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 168, § 3, eff.
Aug. 30, 1993.
§ 51.19. LIMITATION PERIODS. (a) The limitation periods
and the procedures for applying the limitation periods under
Chapter 12, Code of Criminal Procedure, and other statutory law
apply to proceedings under this title.
(b) For purposes of computing a limitation period, a
petition filed in juvenile court for a transfer or an adjudication
hearing is equivalent to an indictment or information and is
treated as presented when the petition is filed in the proper court.
(c) The limitation period is two years for an offense or
conduct that is not given a specific limitation period under
Chapter 12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or other statutory law.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 51.20. PHYSICAL OR MENTAL EXAMINATION. (a) At any
stage of the proceedings under this title, the juvenile court may
order a child who is referred to the juvenile court or who is
alleged by a petition or found to have engaged in delinquent conduct
or conduct indicating a need for supervision to be examined by a
disinterested expert, including a physician, psychiatrist, or
psychologist, qualified by education and clinical training in
mental health or mental retardation and experienced in forensic
evaluation, to determine whether the child has a mental illness as
defined by Section 571.003, Health and Safety Code, or is a person
with mental retardation as defined by Section 591.003, Health and
Safety Code. If the examination is to include a determination of
the child's fitness to proceed, an expert may be appointed to
conduct the examination only if the expert is qualified under
Subchapter B, Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure, to examine a
defendant in a criminal case, and the examination and the report
resulting from an examination under this subsection must comply
with the requirements under Subchapter B, Chapter 46B, Code of
Criminal Procedure, for the examination and resulting report of a
defendant in a criminal case.
(b) If, after conducting an examination of a child ordered
under Subsection (a) and reviewing any other relevant information,
there is reason to believe that the child has a mental illness or
mental retardation, the probation department shall refer the child
to the local mental health or mental retardation authority for
evaluation and services, unless the prosecuting attorney has filed
a petition under Section 53.04.
(c) If, while a child is under deferred prosecution
supervision or court-ordered probation, a qualified professional
determines that the child has a mental illness or mental
retardation and the child is not currently receiving treatment
services for the mental illness or mental retardation, the
probation department shall refer the child to the local mental
health or mental retardation authority for evaluation and services.
(d) A probation department shall report each referral of a
child to a local mental health or mental retardation authority made
under Subsection (b) or (c) to the Texas Juvenile Probation
Commission in a format specified by the commission.
(e) At any stage of the proceedings under this title, the
juvenile court may order a child who has been referred to the
juvenile court or who is alleged by the petition or found to have
engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for
supervision to be subjected to a physical examination by a licensed
physician.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 828, § 5(a), eff. Sept. 1,
2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 35, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts
2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
§ 51.21. MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING AND REFERRAL. (a) A
probation department that administers the mental health screening
instrument or clinical assessment required by Section 141.042(e),
Human Resources Code, shall refer the child to the local mental
health authority for assessment and evaluation if:
(1) the child's scores on the screening instrument or
clinical assessment indicate a need for further mental health
assessment and evaluation; and
(2) the department and child do not have access to an
internal, contract, or private mental health professional.
(b) A probation department shall report each referral of a
child to a local mental health authority made under Subsection (a)
to the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission in a format specified by
the commission.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 949, § 8, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
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