Juvenile Info

Appearance of Juvenile Defendant & Parents

• If a defendant is younger than 17 years of age, the defendant’s parent, guardian or managing conservator MUST be present in taking of the defendant’s plea and all other proceedings relating to the case.

•  Failure of Juvenile to Pay Fines as Ordered by the Court

•  A justice or municipal court may not order the confinement of a child under the age of 17 for the failure to pay all or any part of a fine or cost imposed for the conviction of an offense punishable by fine only. If a child fails to obey an order of a justice or municipal court under circumstances that would constitute contempt of court, the justice or municipal court, after providing notice and an opportunity to be heard, may refer the child to the appropriate juvenile court for delinquent conduct; retain jurisdiction of the case, hold the child in contempt, and order either or both of the following that the contemnor pay not to exceed $500.00; or that the Department of Public Safety suspend the juvenile’s driver’s license or per or, if the juvenile does not have a license or permit, to deny the issuance of a license or permit to the child until the child fully complies with the orders of the court