Dallas County Juvenile Defense Lawyer

If your child has been accused of a crime in Dallas County, their future hangs in the balance. The juvenile justice system moves fast, and the decisions made in the coming days could affect your child for years. At Varghese Summersett, Partner Tiffany Burks leads juvenile defense across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She spent 24 years as a prosecutor — 22 of them in the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, handling juvenile, gang, and gun cases — and retired in 2021 as a Deputy Chief over the criminal division.

Our juvenile practice also includes Mike Hanson, a Partner who is Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — one of roughly 70 attorneys in all of Texas to hold that credential. Board certification means he has met rigorous standards of experience, education, and peer review in this highly specialized field. When your child’s freedom and future are at stake, that depth matters.

The Texas juvenile justice system operates under completely different rules than adult criminal courts. The terminology is different. The procedures are different. The potential outcomes are different. Most criminal defense attorneys rarely step foot in juvenile court, and this lack of experience can have devastating consequences for young clients.

Board certification in juvenile law requires an attorney to demonstrate substantial experience handling juvenile cases, pass a rigorous examination, and maintain ongoing education in juvenile-specific issues. Mike Hanson earned this distinction because juvenile defense is not a side practice for him. It is a primary focus of his.

Juvenile cases processed through Dallas County are heard at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center on Stemmons Freeway. This facility houses the Dallas County Juvenile Court, detention services, and probation offices. Our juvenile lawyers know this courthouse, know the prosecutors who work there, and know how to position cases for the best possible outcomes.

Under Texas Family Code § 51.02, a child is defined as a person who is ten years of age or older and under seventeen years of age. The juvenile system is designed with rehabilitation in mind rather than punishment. However, this does not mean the consequences are light. Juveniles can be placed on probation, sent to residential facilities, or in serious cases, committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) for years.

The juvenile intake process begins when a young person is referred to the juvenile probation department, typically by law enforcement. From there, a probation officer decides whether to handle the matter informally, refer it for prosecution, or recommend detention. Having an experienced juvenile defense attorney involved from the earliest stage can dramatically change the trajectory of a case.

If you’ve just learned your child is under investigation or has been taken into custody, don’t wait. Protect your child’s rights and their record by calling our Dallas office for a free consultation at (214) 903-4000.

We defend minors accused of offenses ranging from school-related incidents to serious felonies. Our practice covers the full spectrum of juvenile allegations, including assault, theft and shoplifting, drug possession, weapons offenses, property crimes, robbery and aggravated robbery, sexual offenses, evading arrest, and organized crime charges.

Regardless of the offense category, the goal is always the same: protect the child’s future by pursuing the best possible outcome. Sometimes that means fighting for a dismissal. Sometimes it means negotiating a resolution that keeps the child out of detention and preserves their eligibility for records sealing. The right strategy depends on the specific facts of each case.

Understanding what happens after a juvenile is accused of an offense can help families prepare for what lies ahead. The process typically unfolds in several stages.

Intake and Detention Decisions

When a minor is referred to the Dallas County Juvenile Department, an intake officer reviews the case and decides whether the juvenile should be detained or released to their parents. Under Texas Family Code § 54.01, a detention hearing must be held within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) if the child is held in custody. Our juvenile lawyers frequently appear at these hearings to argue for release.

Petition Filing

If the prosecutor decides to move forward, they file a petition alleging that the juvenile engaged in delinquent conduct. This petition is not called an indictment or information as it would be in adult court. The language reflects the rehabilitative focus of the juvenile system.

Adjudication Hearing

The adjudication hearing is the juvenile equivalent of a trial. The judge (or in some cases, a jury) determines whether the juvenile engaged in the alleged conduct. If the finding is “true,” the case moves to disposition. If the finding is “not true,” the case is dismissed.

Disposition Hearing

Under Texas Family Code § 54.04, the disposition hearing determines what happens next. Options include probation (either at home or in a placement facility), commitment to TJJD, or in some cases, deferred prosecution. We advocate aggressively for dispositions that prioritize treatment and rehabilitation over incarceration.

Have questions about what happens next in your child’s case? Talk to a lawyer before making any decisions. Call (214) 903-4000 to schedule a free consultation.

In certain cases, prosecutors may seek to have a juvenile “certified” to stand trial as an adult. Under Texas Family Code § 54.02, certification is possible when a juvenile is at least 14 years old at the time of the offense and is accused of a felony. For capital felonies, first-degree felonies, and aggravated controlled substance offenses, certification can be sought for children as young as 14. For other felonies, the child must be at least 15.

If a juvenile is certified to adult court, they face adult penalties, including lengthy prison sentences. They lose the protections of the juvenile system, including automatic records sealing. Fighting certification requires demonstrating to the court that the juvenile is amenable to treatment within the juvenile system and that public safety can be protected without transfer to adult court.

Tiffany Burks has extensive experience on both sides of certification fights, and Mike Hanson’s board certification in juvenile law gives the team the specialized knowledge needed to present the strongest possible case for keeping a young client in the juvenile system.

One of the most valuable aspects of the juvenile system is the possibility of records sealing. Unlike adult criminal records, juvenile records can often be sealed, making them invisible to most background checks. This protection helps young people move forward without having adolescent mistakes follow them to college applications, job interviews, or military enlistment.

Under Texas Family Code § 58.003, records sealing is available in many situations, but it is not automatic. The rules depend on the type of offense, the disposition, and whether the juvenile completes any required probation. Some offenses, particularly serious felonies and sex offenses, have significant restrictions on sealing.

We make records sealing a priority in every case we handle. Even when negotiating pleas, we consider how the disposition will affect the client’s eligibility for sealing down the road.

Not every juvenile case needs to go to trial. In many situations, the best outcome comes from deferred prosecution, diversion programs, or informal resolutions that keep the matter out of court entirely.

Dallas County offers several diversion options for eligible juveniles, including first offender programs that can result in dismissal upon successful completion. We work to identify which clients are candidates for these programs and advocate for their acceptance.

In some cases, we intervene even before charges are filed. By presenting evidence, character references, and mitigating circumstances to prosecutors at the intake stage, we have repeatedly prevented charges from ever being filed. This pre-filing advocacy is one of the most valuable services a juvenile defense attorney can provide.

If your child has been accused of a crime, here are some things to keep in mind. First, do not allow your child to speak with police or investigators without an attorney present. Even well-intentioned conversations can damage a case. Under the right to a juvenile attorney, your child has constitutional protections against self-incrimination.

Second, act quickly. Juvenile cases move faster than adult cases. Detention decisions happen within 48 hours. Intake decisions happen within days. The earlier an attorney gets involved, the more options are available.

Third, gather information. Write down everything you know about the incident, the names of any witnesses, and any communications you’ve had with police or school officials. This information will be valuable to your attorney.

Finally, don’t assume the worst. Many juvenile cases result in dismissals, diversions, or minimal consequences when handled properly. The punishment range for juveniles varies widely depending on the offense and circumstances, and skilled advocacy can make all the difference.

Your child deserves a defender who knows juvenile law inside and out. Our juvenile team brings a former Tarrant County Deputy Chief prosecutor, a Board Certified Juvenile Law specialist, and the courtroom experience to fight for young people facing serious allegations. If your child has been accused of any offense in Dallas County or anywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, call Varghese Summersett today at (214) 903-4000 to schedule a free consultation. Every second counts when your child’s future is on the line.

Experienced juvenile defense attorneys across Texas