Title 3, Chapter 51 of the Texas Family Code is otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice Code. Under Texas Family Code § 51.02, a child is defined as a person who is 10 years of age or older and under 17 years of age, or 17 years of age or older and under 18 years of age but alleged or found to have engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision as a result of acts committed before becoming 17 years of age. These Juvenile Drug Charges can greatly impact your child’s future.
Drug cases are commonly referred to the Juvenile Probation Department in Collin County. A juvenile case may be resolved through supervisory caution, deferred prosecution, or formal juvenile court action.
Juvenile Drug Charges Lawyer | Plano, Allen, Frisco, and McKinney, TX
Were you or your child arrested for any kind of drug crime in Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, or the area in Collin County, Texas? If so, you need to quickly find yourself trusted legal counsel.
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy can help you achieve the outcome that results in the fewest possible consequences. Call (469) 304-3422 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.
Types of Juvenile Drug Charges in Collin County
The types of drugs crimes minors are accused of can vary depending on certain circumstances. Frequent criminal charges include, but are not limited to:
- Synthetic Drugs / Synthetic Marijuana
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Prescription Drug Fraud
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs
- Drug Trafficking
- Possession with Intent to Deliver
- Prescription Drug Fraud
- Drug Manufacturing
Minors come into possession of drugs through many different circumstances, and prescription drug charges often stem from using drugs stolen from parents. Other illegal drug cases could involve a minor being accused of possessing drugs that actually belonged to another person.
Juvenile Drug Charge Penalties in Texas
Deferred prosecution is commonly offered in many class A misdemeanor and class B misdemeanor cases. Successfully completing a six-month deferred prosecution program will allow a minor to avoid a formal court hearing and end their involvement with authorities.
Deferred prosecution is a voluntary alternative to adjudication in which a child, their parents, the prosecuting attorney, and the juvenile probation department agree to various conditions of probation. No juvenile record is created so long as the child does not violate the conditions of probation.
Probation requirements could include, but are not limited to:
- Community service
- Drug rehabilitation
- Payment of court fees
- Confinement in a juvenile detention center
- Counseling
- Substance abuse educational courses
A court will also order the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to suspend a juvenile’s driver’s license or permit, or deny the issuance of a license or permit, when a juvenile is adjudicated for certain controlled substance violations. Probation must end on or before an offender’s 18th birthday, but a juvenile committed to TJJD must have their sentence completed on or before their 19th birthday.
Juvenile Drug Charge Defenses in Collin County
Many of the same defenses applicable to adult criminal charges also apply to juvenile cases. One of the immediate area to be examined is how authorities discovered the drugs.
When police officers illegally search an alleged offender, then the drugs they seized become inadmissible in court. It is also common for minors to be accused of drug possession when a friend or classmate was actually the owner of the drugs.
Juvenile Drug Charges Resources
Juvenile Probation Services | Collin County — Visit this website to learn more about juvenile probation in Collin County. You can find information about Juvenile Justice in Collin County, Cases Filed in District Court, and Detention Admission Procedures. There is also information about Detention Medical and Health Care Services, Progress Sanction Guidelines, and Counseling Services. Locations include the following:
Collin County Juvenile Probation Services
4690 Community Ave.
McKinney, TX 75071
(972) 548-6470
Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
4690 Community Ave.
McKinney, TX 75071
(972) 548-6458
Plano Satellite Office
900 East Park Blvd. Suite 210
Plano, TX 75074
972) 881-3050
Collin County Juvenile Detention
4700 Community Ave
McKinney, TX 75071
(972) 547-5400
2018 Juvenile Justice Handbook | Texas Attorney General — This document provides an overview of how the Juvenile Justice System works in Texas. Find information about parental rights and responsibilities, steps in the juvenile process, and offenses tried by juvenile courts. Learn more about judges, referees, magistrates, and juvenile courts.
Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy | Collin County Juvenile Drug Charges Attorney
If you or your child were arrested for an alleged drug crime in Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney or surrounding areas in Collin County, it will be critical for you to quickly retain legal counsel. The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy regularly defends minors facing all kinds of drug charges.
We understand the concerns minors have about the effects of criminal records and we do what we can to minimize long-term consequences. You can have us assess all of your legal options when you call (469) 304-3422 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.