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Texas Juvenile Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: How do I know if it’s discipline, or neglect/abuse?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 11, 2024

Whether acts or omissions constitute discipline or neglect/abuse depends upon the specific facts and circumstances presented by the competent and admissible evidence in a lawsuit which will be adjudicated by a finder of facts (either a judge or a jury).

Generally, reasonable discipline...
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1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: I’m a 17 (18 in feb) year old female, who is finding interest in a 22 year old. are we allowed to date? Sexual relation?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 8, 2024

Yes. The age of consent in Texas is 17. That being said, if you're just in the "finding interest" stage, you should consider whether it may be too early in the relationship to be having sexual relations. Just because something is legal doesn't mean you should do it. A lot of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: My son and girlfriend got caught having consensual relations at school the mother filed charges for rape. What can I do

The school police officer reviewed the video and stated that it was consensual. Both children received the same punishment of 45 days at the LEO school. The girls mother filed a charge for rape.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Oct 18, 2024

It depends. The age of consent in Texas is 16. Sexual intercourse (and certain other sex acts) involving someone under the age of 16 is by definition non-consensual even if that person enthusiastically participates or initiated it. This is called statutory rape.

If there is an age gap no...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: I live with my step-parents I'm 16 i work and pay for my own stuff

So I got grounded and my step parents took my vr and my phone that i paid for myself . Also they take my paycheck and put it in there bank account and only gives me $100 dollars out of each paycheck which i think is ridiculous cause I worked hard for that money what can I do....about that can I... View More

John Cucci Jr.
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answered on Sep 22, 2024

The status of step-parents has different meanings for different people and forums.

A legal step-parent, is a parent because the parent figure has ADOPTED the step-child. This creates the legal status of the child as if s/he was the natural-born child of the step-parent. Thus, that parent...
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2 Answers | Asked in Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: Is it ok for a 16 year old to date a 13 year old?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 4, 2024

There is no legal prohibition on "dating" per se in Texas.

Until the age of 17 years, a person does not have the legal capacity to consent to any type of sexual conduct in the State of Texas. Therefore, any sexual conduct engaged in with that person will be legally considered to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: My son is in custody at Harris County He was out on bond for priors.He is being charged with aggravated robbery with.

deadly weapon.I have talked to his lawyer 2 times and he really has not talked to me.I saw the video and he was on the property but he didn't have the weapon and didn't go in the store.The attorney jas put out 5 years deferred adjudicated probation or 15 years. I feel that is not right I... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 19, 2024

Since your son is in custody, it seems likely that law enforcement believes that your son is the actual person who committed the crime. If you have information that a specific other person actually committed the crime, you should share that information with your son's attorney.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: I’m 17. I don’t want to live with my toxic mom anymore and i told her that im moving out and she got mad and said that s

I’m 17. I don’t want to live with my toxic mom anymore and i told her that im moving out and she got mad and said that shes not giving me permission to be emancipation and i said that i dont need her permission and she got mad. I been doing my research and it says in dallas texas that i have to... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 19, 2024

In a suit for emancipation of a minor, a parent of the minor must verify the petition. Your attorney will need to ask you questions proving that you are able to support yourself and manage your own financial affairs. You may want to introduce evidence of your job and earnings to show you have... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI, Federal Crimes and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: I'm 13 and I got caught with 3 disposables on school prpty and 2 were empty one was full of honey, what am I facing.

They also put me down as selling on school property

Jim  Butler
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answered on Feb 4, 2024

We are talking "honey", "budder" - the vape cartridges that contains Delta 8,9, or 10 ? I'm not sure what your schools policy is if you are caught with a vape that contains one of these oils. If it turns out to be Delta 9 they could charge you with possession of marijuana... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Family Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: Hello I got kicked out of my childhood house in Houston, I called the police but since it was late I couldn’t get in.

Can I call the cops at a formal time like 6pm and they HAVE TO escort me in or they will not let me in because my parents said no even thought it’s all my stuff

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 23, 2024

I would suggest a few things in this situation:

- Contact the police again and explain you are a resident of the home but have been locked out. They may be willing to escort you back in to retrieve your belongings. Make clear you are not trying to cause issues, you just want to safely get...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Domestic Violence and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: In Texas, is it illegal for someone in my household to unplug my security cameras threatening my personal safety?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 22, 2024

It is illegal for someone to threaten you. It is not illegal for someone to unplug security cameras, particularly in areas where they have a right to be. In certain circumstances, it may be illegal for you to record other members of your household on camera without their effective consent.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: I am 16 years old, turning 17 in April. My parents are removing my door again, and I don't want to live here.

I am having my door removed for a dish being dirty, and after my dad thought I was out of earshot, he called me a retard. What can I do?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 22, 2024

When you turn 17 if you are able to financially support yourself (i.e. buy or rent a place to live, provide your own transportation, feed & clothe yourself, and pay for medical care either directly or through insurance of govt assistance you have obtained), you can file a petition for emancipation.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: Can a transgender minor living in Texas receive gender-affirming medications from a state such as Colorado?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 4, 2024

It is theoretically possible for minors to obtain hormone blockers or hormone replacement therapy "off label" in Colorado for gender-affirming reasons. Colorado has not yet banned such off label use for minors. Because these medications can have long-term adverse effects on patients... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Federal Crimes, Internet Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: Can I sue youtube for having videos with naked children on their site?

They have vids with kids going to the bathroom, kids running around with no clothing on, etc. Why is this legal to do?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 13, 2024

I would be very cautious of this. I would contact YouTube directly to try to have them to take down the video(s). I would ask report those video(s) directly to YouTube moderators.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: Can I get emancipated with no job at 15?

im 15 almost 16 and i live with my grandmother whos disabled and not my legal guardian my parents are drug addicts and i dont know where they are usually, i wish to live by my self but cant because i havent been enrolled in school for several years and havent been to the doctors in a long time... View More

Grant St Julian III
Grant St Julian III
answered on Oct 19, 2023

Contact Child Protective Services in your area. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: Hello, I recently had two individuals come at night vandalizing my vehicle. I have video proof. What actions can I take?

Both age 15/16, my age being 16. I know who they are and have video proof

John Cucci Jr.
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answered on Sep 24, 2023

I would have your parents call the other kids' parents to try to resolve things. If not, then call the police and give then a COPY of your video proof. Do not wait long as that will eventually cause a problem. The other kids' parents probably have home insurance which may pay for the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: During a plea bargaining, if a defendant pleads guilty, is the prosecution still required to submit evidence?

During a plea bargaining, if a defendant pleads guilty, is the prosecution still required to submit evidence and prove guilt of defendant; or, is the guilty plea enough to stand alone as evidence of guilt, even if the prosecution has a weak case?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 4, 2023

In some cases—particularly serious felonies—the prosecution must produce evidence to corroborate the plea. This is designed to prevent someone from pleading guilty to a crime they did not commit in order to cover for a relative or friend. It is usually perfunctory.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: is there some law or right thats says this is wrong

im 14 and got my girlfriend pregnant her parents are saying she has to have an abortion because having the baby can kill her and seriously hurt her and i looked it up and if that was the case it would be a mandatory abortion and now they dont even wanna tell if us shes gonna end up getting a... View More

Elisa  Reiter
Elisa Reiter
answered on Aug 31, 2023

Even after the Dobbs decision, a woman has the right to choose. A minor woman would need to work with her parents to obtain a timely abortion. If your girlfriend chooses to have the baby, keeps the baby, and gives you information, you could have the option of signing off on the baby's birth... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: Can I have a warrant for a citation back in 2011 in Texas even though I was in prison back then?

Citation is disruption of class which was never broken to my attention till this week. Individual is still in prison and has been incarcerated since 2013/2014. Individual is getting out on parole. Would he be taken to county?

John Cucci Jr.
John Cucci Jr. pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 26, 2023

I am confused a bit by your question.

Anyway, If there is a warrant out for anyone, it stays a warrant until it is dismissed or it is executed (by arrest).

If it was made unlawfully, it can be quashed, but that may take a while, and quashing it would require you to go to court to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: Ex has custody in Washington state. I live in Texas. Daughter is 16. Extremely bad living situation. Wants to live w/me

Dad bans her from contact w/me. Horrible neglect and abuse. She's in chins petition with placement with a friend mine but placement is no longer going to work and chins is being dropped. She cannot go back to her dad's care. She wants to live with me in Texas. What is the fastest way to... View More

Elisa  Reiter
Elisa Reiter
answered on Aug 7, 2023

Discourage your child from running away. There are civil and criminal penalties for kidnapping a child. In the given situation, where the daughter is currently in Washington state with her father and wants to live with you in Texas due to an extremely bad living situation, there are legal options... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: if my boyfriend is 18 and im 17 but were less than a year apart and have been dating for over a year can we still date?

can my parents file any order or sue him?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 25, 2023

Yes, you can still date. Since you are 17, you have reached the legal age of consent in Texas to engage in sexual activity. That may not be the best decision for you and your parents may not like you engaging in sexual activity with him. But, legally, you are old enough to make that decision for... View More

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