Juveniles
All juveniles are required to appear in court for all proceedings in their case. A juvenile is anyone under the age of 17, at the time of offense, or a defendant under the age of 21, at the time of offense, that has been issued a Tobacco law violation citation or an Alcohol law violation citation.
All juveniles under the age of 17 (under 21 for Alcohol and Tobacco violations) will be Summoned to court by mail to the address provided on the citation. If this address is incorrect or you have moved, you must contact the court immediately and provide a current address. Failure to appear at the court scheduled court date due to an incorrect address on the citation will not void any failure to appear charges.
A parent or guardian of the juvenile (only under 17 charges) must also appear at the scheduled court date with their child. Additional charges for Failure to Appear, Parent's Failure to Appear with Child at Hearing, and Failure to Provide Written Notice of Current Address against the juvenile defendant and the parent or guardian will be filed if the parent or guardian and juvenile do not appear and do not keep a current address with the court to notify the juvenile and their parent or guardian of appearance dates with the Court. Your son or daughter's driver's license can be suspended or a hold placed so that they may not obtain a driver's license when applied for until all outstanding charges are disposed of with the Court.
Below is Article 45.057(h) and (i) of the Code of Criminal Procedures. As of September 1, 2003 a juvenile and their parent have a continuing obligation to appear and keep a current address with the Court until the final disposition of the citation.
(h) A child and parent required to appear before the court have an obligation to provide the court in writing with the current address and residence of the child. That obligation does not end when the child reaches age 17. On or before the seventh day after the date the child or parent changes residence, the child or parent shall notify the court of the current address in the manner directed by the court. A violation of this subsection may result in arrest and is a Class C misdemeanor. The obligation to provide notice terminates on discharge and satisfaction of the judgment or final disposition not requiring a finding of guilt.
(i) If an appellate court accepts an appeal for a trial de novo, the child and parent shall provide notice under Subsection (h) to the appellate court.
Failure to comply with this statue will result in additional charges to be filed with the court and the juvenile will be eligible for arrest upon his or her 17th birthday for Failure to Appear.
Tobacco and Alcohol Violations
Tobacco Violations
If you are under the age of 21 and have been issued a Tobacco law violation citation you are required by law to appear in front of the Judge. A court date will be mailed to you by the court and you and a parent or guardian must appear in court to see the Judge. If you were 17-20, at the time of the offense, a parent or guardian is not required to appear with you. You may be assessed any or all of the following:
- Fine and court costs; and/or
- Community Service hours; and/or
- Tobacco Awareness class.
Information regarding the Community Service and Tobacco Awareness classes will be provided at court. Failure to complete the judgment ordered by the Judge will result in a suspension of the minor's driver's license if they so have one for a period of up to 180 days.
Alcohol Violations
If you are under the age of 21 and have been issued an Alcohol law violation citation you are required by law to appear in front of the Judge. A court date will be mailed to you by the court and you and a parent or guardian must appear in court to see the Judge. If you were 17-20, at the time of the offense, a parent or guardian is not required to appear with you. You may be assessed any or all of the following:
- Fine and court costs; and/or
- Community Service hours; and/or
- Alcohol Awareness class.
Information regarding the Community Service and Alcohol Awareness classes will be provided at court. Failure to complete the judgment ordered by the Judge will result in a suspension of the minor's driver's license, if they do have one, for a period of up to 180 days.