Q: What 1997 Texas law requires a 16 year old driver to appear before a judge for a speeding ticket?
Received a summons from Tarrant County Court Precinct 4 stating that this is a law that became effective September 1, 1997.
A:
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
Art. 45.0215. PLEA BY MINOR AND APPEARANCE OF PARENT. (a) This article applies to a defendant who has not had the disabilities of minority removed and has been:
(1) charged with an offense other than an offense under Section 43.261, Penal Code, if the defendant is younger than 17 years of age; or
(2) charged with an offense under Section 43.261, Penal Code, if the defendant is younger than 18 years of age.
(a-1) The judge or justice:
(1) must take the defendant's plea in open court; and
(2) shall issue a summons to compel the defendant's parent, guardian, or managing conservator to be present during:
(A) the taking of the defendant's plea; and
(B) all other proceedings relating to the case.
(b) If the court is unable to secure the appearance of the defendant's parent, guardian, or managing conservator by issuance of a summons, the court may, without the defendant's parent, guardian, or managing conservator present, take the defendant's plea and proceed against the defendant.
(c) If the defendant resides in a county other than the county in which the alleged offense occurred, the defendant may, with leave of the judge of the court of original jurisdiction, enter the plea, including a plea under Article 45.052, before a judge in the county in which the defendant resides.
(d) A justice or municipal court shall endorse on the summons issued to a parent an order to appear personally at a hearing with the child. The summons must include a warning that the failure of the parent to appear may result in arrest and is a Class C misdemeanor.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 193, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Renumbered from Vernon's Ann.C.C.P. art. 45.331 and amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1545, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
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