Information about Criminal Cases

Juveniles Charged with Criminal Offenses

Appearance in Court Required

If you are sixteen (16) years of age or younger, the law requires that you appear in court with a parent, guardian, or managing conservator. A person sixteen (16) years of age or younger cannot pay the fine by mail or in person before the appearance date.

Parent Must Appear with Juvenile

The court is required to take the plea of a person sixteen (16) years of age or younger in open court and will issue a summons to compel the juvenile's parent, guardian, or managing conservator to be present.

Failure of the parent to appear as required by the summons is an offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00, and may result in the arrest of the parent.

Obligation to Provide Current Address

A juvenile and the juvenile's parent have an obligation to provide the court with the current address and residence of the juvenile. This obligation does not end when the juvenile reaches seventeen (17) years of age, but continues until the case is concluded and any judgment is fully satisfied. Notice of a new address must be given to the court, in writing, on or before the seventh (7th) day after the date the juvenile or the juvenile's parent changes residence.

Failure to notify the court of the current address is an offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00.

When Juveniles Become Adults

If a juvenile charged with an offense filed in the Justice Court fails to appear in court as required, the court will issue a warning to the juvenile when the juvenile reaches seventeen (17) years of age. The notice will warn the individual of a continuing obligation to appear to conclude the case. The notice will further warn that the failure to appear as required by the notice is a criminal offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00, and will result in the issuance of an arrest warrant.

Expunction for Certain Conviction Records of Juveniles

A person convicted of not more than one offense punishable by fine only, committed when the person was a juvenile, is entitled to request that the record of that conviction be expunged. The request must be made on or after the person's seventeenth (17th) birthday. The fee for filing an Application for Expunction is $30, plus fees for postage for notices of hearing and orders of expunction, if issued.

There are specific provisions for expunction of offenses relating to the possession and consumption of alcohol, the possession of cigarettes and tobacco products, and for failure to attend school.

Convictions Relating to Alcohol

Any person convicted of not more than one offense related to the purchase, consumption, or possession of alcohol while a minor, or driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor, or misrepresenting age, on attaining the age of 21 years, may apply to the court in which the individual was convicted to have the conviction expunged. If the court finds that the applicant was not convicted of any other violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Code while the individual was a minor, the court will order the records relating to the offense to be expunged and the conviction may not be shown or made known for any purpose.

Convictions Relating to Cigarettes and Tobacco Products

An individual convicted of the possession, purchase, consumption, or receipt of cigarettes or tobacco products by a minor, may apply to the court to have the conviction expunged. If the court finds that the individual satisfactorily completed the tobacco awareness program or tobacco-related community service ordered by the court, the court will order the records relating to the offense to be expunged and the conviction may not be shown or made known for any purpose.

Convictions Relating to Failure to Attend School

An individual convicted not more than one time for failing to attend school may, on or after the individual's 18th birthday, apply to the court in which the individual was convicted to have the conviction expunged. If the court finds that the individual has not been convicted more than one time for failing to attend school, the court will order the records relating to the offense to be expunged and the conviction may not be shown or made known for any purpose. A fee of $30 must be paid when the application for expunction is filed.

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General Information

This information is furnished to you to provide basic information relative to the law governing procedures for criminal cases in the Harris County Justice Courts.

The Harris County Justices of the Peace and the Clerks of the Harris County Justice Courts are not allowed to give legal advice. You are urged to review the applicable laws and to consult an attorney of your choice for further information or answers to specific legal questions.

You have the right to a trial by a jury and to be represented by an attorney of your choice, or to represent yourself.

Disclaimer: The law is constantly changing and there may be times when the information on this web site will not be current. This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. This information is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject and is not a substitute for advice from an attorney.