Juvenile Law
Juvenile Defense Attorney in McKinney
Personalized Legal Representation From a Former Prosecutor Who Knows How to Win
The police are at your door or giving you a call. Many possibilities flash through your mind. Is someone you love hurt, lost, or in an accident?
Instead, they tell you your child is a suspect in a crime—a serious one. It’s critical that you call a lawyer as soon as possible to give your child the best defense available.
Has your child been arrested or accused of a crime? Attorney Chris Fredericks will fight for their future. Contact our firm for a free consultation.
What Happens When Your Child Is Accused of a Crime in Texas
Juveniles are covered by the Texas Family Code, which focuses on rehabilitation and reuniting families. As such, their court process looks a little different from the one for adults. For example, juveniles are not charged with “crimes”; rather, they’re accused of “delinquent acts” or “conduct indicating a need for supervision.”
There are three major steps in your child’s case:
- An arrest or referral from the school or community.
- A detention hearing, where the court determines whether your child should remain in custody.
- Adjudication, where the court decides whether your child is guilty and what consequences they should receive.
Determining Your Child’s Right to Be Tried in the Juvenile System
The first step in helping defend your child is to ensure they are tried as a minor. The county may request for the juvenile to be tried as an adult when they’re accused of violent crimes, like assault or homicide, or when they’re a serial offender.
If that happens, they’ll be tried in a regular court, and they’ll be subject to the sentences of adults—with all the potential consequences an adult would receive. Having your child tried in the juvenile system rather than the adult system safeguards them from the harshest penalties.
Even if your child is 17 (considered an adult in the Texas legal system), you should seek a strong defense. An experienced lawyer like Attorney Chris Fredericks knows that there are arguments to help lessen the severity of their sentence.
Fighting Charges Against Minors
Our firm defends against all charges, from theft to murder.
- Juvenile drug crimes
- Juvenile sex crimes
- Shoplifting, theft, and joyriding
- Criminal trespass and criminal mischief
- More
We will also help with court-specific issues, such as probation violations and sealing records.
Rehabilitation Over Punishment: Possible Consequences for Juveniles in Collin County
The Texas legal system strives to balance accountability, rehabilitation, and community safety. The juvenile court system in particular emphasizes the possibility of rehabilitation and promotes those efforts over punishing the child or teen.
In particular, the system is open to identifying underlying issues that could be addressed to give your child a brighter future. Often, in hopes of putting your child on a better path, the county may issue a sentence of:
- Fines
- Educational programs
- Counseling
- Community service
- Drug rehab
- Probation
In more severe cases, they may be confined to a juvenile facility.
Your Role in Your Child’s Justice
You must be wondering, “How can I help my child when they’ve been charged with a crime?” Parents are expected to play a critical role in the efforts to put their children on a better path. At a minimum, you’ll be expected to participate in court proceedings and make sure you and your child are following the court’s orders.
The court may also take further actions to help your child. You may be required by the court to pay probation fees, pay restitution or pay back the county for harm done, or perform counseling, among many other things.
Hire an Attorney Who’ll Fight for Your Child’s Future
If your child has been caught up in the legal system, contact defense attorney Chris Fredericks. He was a prosecutor before defending juveniles, and he can navigate the juvenile legal system with unparalleled skill and expertise. Together, you can protect your child’s future.