What age is considered a juvenile in court?

In Texas, anyone aged 17 or younger is considered a juvenile in court. Juvenile laws in Texas are designed to provide special protections for children and encourage rehabilitation as opposed to punishment. When minors are accused of a crime, they are usually adjudicated in the juvenile justice system. The juvenile justice system is made up of two court systems: juvenile district court and children’s court. Juvenile district court mainly handles cases that involve more serious forms of juvenile delinquency and wrongdoing, such as delinquency, possession of drugs, and violent offenses. Children’s court typically handles cases that involve less serious offenses, such as minor theft and truancy. The purpose of the juvenile justice system is to protect the rights of minors and promote their rehabilitation. Cases that involve juveniles are generally heard privately, and any records of the case are confidential. Under Texas juvenile law, the juvenile is not tried as a criminal but rather as a “child in need of supervision,” and the court is meant to find the best solution possible. This may include rehabilitation services, fines, probation, community service, or a combination of these methods.

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What age is considered a juvenile in court?

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