Austin Juvenile Crime Lawyers
It is not uncommon for kids, especially teenagers, to lack good judgment or test the limits of the law. Unfortunately, some of those bad choices have legal ramifications — and a mark on your child’s record can affect his or her future, limiting school and work opportunities.
If your son or daughter is faced with criminal charges, it is critical to seek legal counsel with experience with juvenile matters. The criminal defense attorneys of Minton, Burton, Bassett & Collins, P.C., have just such experience and we will use all of the means at our disposal to construct the best defense possible. Call us at (512) 476-4873 or contact us via email.
We represent clients in Austin, TX and the surrounding communities, including: Hays County (Buda, Dripping Springs, Kyle, San Marcos, Wimberley); Travis County (Creedmoor, Elroy, Manor, Pflugerville); Williamson County (Cedar Park, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Florence, Leander, Round Rock, Taylor); Bastrop County (Bastrop, Clearview, Elgin, Rockne, Smithville); Comal County (Bulverde, Canyon Lake, Gruene, New Braunfels, Sattler, Startzville); Burnet County (Bertram, Burnet, Marble Falls); and Caldwell County (Lockhart, Luling).
Although each individual and each case is unique, there are some common charges faced by children and teens. These charges include:
- Underage drinking or drug use
- DWI
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Improper use of a motor vehicle
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report for 2006 states that youth accounted for 15.7% of all Texas arrests, with the highest totals coming for disorderly conduct, theft, drug crimes and curfew violations. Slightly less than 10,000 youth were charged with alcohol crimes in 2006, compared with 14,702 drug arrests of minors.
During our 44 years of practicing inside county, state, and federal courtrooms, we have dealt with all of these charges. We also have extensive experience in dealing with probation violations.
If your son or daughter has been accused of criminal conduct, it is important to remember that there are a number of factors that make criminal charges filed against a juvenile different than those filed against an adult. The first relates to how their legal proceedings will be handled. Typically, cases involving children under the age of 16 are referred to juvenile court. This has a significant impact on the way the charges are prosecuted as well as the sentencing options available.
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Another critical issue relates to how the charges are placed on the child’s criminal record. Verdicts adjudicated against a minor may or may not become part of the individual’s permanent record. This factor alone can have monumental impact on your son or daughter’s future, from college applications to employment opportunities. Prompt action and robust legal representation can make the difference.
The law offices of Minton, Burton, Bassett & Collins, P.C., serve individuals and families in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Comal, Burnet and Caldwell Counties. With over 40 years of experience in these courts and four Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists, we have the knowledge and skills to provide the best legal representation for your son or daughter. Protect their rights and the record that they will carry with them into adulthood.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation. We can be reached by phone at (512) 476-4873, by email at [email protected], or by filling out this form.