Richmond Juvenile Arrests Lawyers

Texas Juvenile Detention & Juvenile Justice

Youths who are arrested may go to “juvie” overnight and for violent crimes may be detained an additional 10 days or longer. You cannot bail your child out of jail in these cases. The court will hold detention hearings and it is the judge alone who decides whether your child will remain detained.

The Law Office of Larry McDougal represents youthful offenders in detention hearings in Fort Bend County, Texas. Our goal is to get juveniles released from juvenile detention at the earliest opportunity so they are not held for an extended period.

We provide juvenile defense for all charges, from drugs and alcohol to theft and sex offenses. You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. There is much we can do even if your son or daughter is being held overnight in a juvenile facility. We commonly get last-minute calls to represent juveniles in detention hearings “two hours from now.” Your son or daughter is best served when we have time to evaluate the charges and the circumstances.

Understanding Juvenile Detention and Juvenile Justice

Youths who are arrested on suspicion of juvenile offenses can be held overnight in a juvenile detention facility. A detention hearing will be held within 24 hours to determine whether to release or detain the child. Does the youth need a psychological evaluation or drug testing? Is the youth in a stable frame of mind or likely to get into more trouble if released?

• The court may order supervised release to the custody of the parents or guardian, with restrictions such as house arrest (other than school, church and extracurricular activities) until the next hearing in 30 to 90 days.
• If the youth is accused of a drug crime or violent crime or is not deemed a good candidate for release, he or she may be held in juvenile detention for an additional 10 to 14 days until another detention hearing.

The detention facility staff will arrange for school work, mental health counseling and other services while the youth is held.

Reach out to Our Fort Bend County Law Firm for Underage Detention

Teenagers may be guilty of bad decisions, but should not have to pay for the rest of their lives. Contrary to belief, the slate is not wiped clean at age 18. Juvenile crimes will follow that person into adulthood. We do everything we can to avoid a criminal record, through second chances and alternative programs that focus on rehabilitation and assistance rather than punishment.

The quality of legal counsel makes a difference. Our lead attorney, Larry P. McDougal Sr. brings more than 37 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney, plus a background in law enforcement. Our legal team is committed to the most favorable outcome of juvenile proceedings and minimum impact on that youthful offender’s future.

If your son or daughter has been detained, contact us immediately for a free consultation with our Richmond juvenile detention lawyers. Call us now at (281) 823-9377.