Consequences of a Juvenile Offense

When adolescents start to hang out with the wrong crowd, begin using drugs or alcohol, or act out for various reasons, they can get in serious trouble. Unfortunately, these scenarios make it too easy for teenagers to do something they shouldn’t and end up paying the price for it. Adolescents convicted of a crime face a number of Texas juvenile delinquency consequences.

If your child is currently facing a juvenile offense, contact the skilled Houston juvenile lawyer Ned Barnett immediately at (713) 222-6767.

Loss of Driving Privileges

Numerous juvenile convictions can lead to the state revoking a driver’s license for a period of time or withholding the ability to get a license. This can make it difficult to move on with life once probation or detention is complete. Without a car, adolescents may have difficulty getting to school or obtaining work.

Disrupted Education

When juveniles are arrested for any felony or certain misdemeanors, school principals are informed of the charges. School authorities and other parents who find out may feel wary about their presence in schools. Ultimately, teenagers can be removed from classes if they are found guilty of a felony or their charges cause a distraction. Education can be greatly disrupted by being sent to an alternative program or a detention facility.

Heading to college can also be more difficult. Not every crime needs to be reported on a college application, but most drug and violent offenses must be disclosed. Juvenile offenders may also need to report certain offenses on financial aid applications. They may face difficulty being accepted to schools and receiving federal and state financial aid.

Difficulty Obtaining Work

Not only can a juvenile record make it hard to obtain a job, but numerous laws can make it difficult or impossible to obtain various professional licenses. Certain crimes can make an offender ineligible to become a nurse, doctor, dentist, teacher, day care worker, accountant, electrician, barber, bartender, police officer, and more.

Sex Offender Registration

Sexual offenses often result in the requirement to register as a sex offender for a period of time or the rest of offenders’ lives. Children as young as 10 can be required to register. The consequences of sex offender registration can vary and can be harsh.

Common restrictions on sex offenders include:

• Not having contact with children under the age of 17, in person, over the phone, or by email
• Restriction from use of the internet at home and elsewhere
• Inability to go within 1,000 feet of places where children under the age of 17 congregate, including schools, daycares, pools, and parks
• No travel without notifying a supervising officer and law enforcement

Living as a registered sex offender as a young adult can be incredibly difficult. Juveniles must often find alternative schooling or may drop out of high school.

Finding a place to live is often an issue. It can be hard to find an apartment or home that does not violate probation requirements. Adolescents and their families may have to move away from other family members, friends, and the community to satisfy the statute. Also, because of the restriction on contact with minors, registered offenders may not be able to participate in family events or even live with family for a period of time.

Deportation

Being charged with a juvenile crime can effect immigration status, including the revocation of a visa or denial of an application for citizenship. A conviction may rise to the level of violating immigration laws and can result in deportation.

Contact a Texas Juvenile Lawyer for Help

The best way to avoid these Texas juvenile delinquency consequences is to hire an experienced juvenile criminal defense attorney like Ned Barnett as soon as possible. Ned Barnett has more than 30 years of experience defending individuals throughout the state and understands the ins and outs of the Texas juvenile court system. If possible, he will fight for your son or daughter to go through an alternative process, such as a First Offender Program, to help your child avoid detention or imprisonment. He understands how crucial this time is and how important it is to minimize the consequences of an offense in order to get your child back on track and out of the system.

Call The Law Office of Ned Barnett at (713) 222-6767 to schedule a free consultation.