Fort Bend Juvenile Defense Lawyer | Board Certified

Why Do You Need a Fort Bend Juvenile Defense Lawyer?

When your child faces juvenile charges in Fort Bend County, you need a lawyer who knows how to protect their future. The juvenile justice system claims to focus on rehabilitation, but without experienced representation, your child risks consequences that can follow them for years. College admissions, scholarship opportunities, military service, and future employment can all be affected by how a juvenile case is handled.

At Varghese Summersett, we understand what families are going through. Our Fort Bend juvenile lawyer Mike Hanson is Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by only 73 attorneys in the entire state. In Fort Bend County, only two attorneys hold this certification, and Mike is one of them.

What Makes Board Certification in Juvenile Law So Rare?

Board certification is not a title that can be claimed lightly. It requires substantial experience handling juvenile cases, rigorous peer review, and passing a comprehensive examination that demonstrates advanced knowledge of juvenile law, procedure, and trial advocacy. This certification signals a proven commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the unique issues involved in juvenile cases.

Varghese Summersett is the only law firm in Texas with two board-certified juvenile law specialists on the team. This means families in Fort Bend County have access to a level of experience and specialization that is virtually unmatched in juvenile defense. When credentials matter, when courtroom experience matters, when understanding the system from the inside matters, our team delivers.

Watch: Meet Fort Bend Juvenile Attorney Mike Hanson

How Does a Former Prosecutor Help Your Child’s Defense?

Before becoming a juvenile defense attorney, Mike Hanson served as a juvenile prosecutor in Fort Bend County. He handled cases from the State’s perspective and knows exactly how prosecutors evaluate evidence, assess risk, and decide whether to offer diversion, probation, or pursue harsher penalties. That insider knowledge allows him to anticipate the State’s strategy and build a stronger, more effective defense for your child.

Mike has handled hundreds of juvenile cases, including more than 60 jury trials. He regularly defends minors in detention hearings, adjudications, and certification hearings where the state attempts to prosecute juveniles as adults. His military background as a former U.S. Army JAG officer adds a layer of discipline and strategic thinking that sets him apart in Fort Bend County courtrooms.

What Is a Juvenile Case in Texas?

In Texas, juveniles are individuals between the ages of 10 and 16. Once a person turns 17, they are considered an adult in the eyes of the criminal justice system. However, children as young as 14 can be certified to stand trial as adults in certain serious cases involving violent crimes.

Juvenile cases are technically civil matters under the Texas Family Code Title 3, but they can still lead to detention, probation, or long-term consequences if not handled properly. This is why you need an experienced Fort Bend juvenile defense lawyer who understands these nuances and can fight for your child’s rights from day one.

What Happens After a Juvenile Arrest in Fort Bend County?

After being taken into custody, juveniles in Fort Bend County are transported to the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center at 1410 Ransom Road in Richmond. Instead of bail, Texas law requires a detention hearing within two business days. This hearing is your first opportunity to argue for your child’s release to their guardian.

If you receive a phone call informing you that your child has been arrested, call the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center immediately at (281) 341-8532 to confirm your child’s location. If the facility is at capacity, your child may be transported to Harris County’s juvenile detention facility. For less serious offenses, they might be released directly to you.

What Happens at a Juvenile Detention Hearing?

Texas law protects detained juveniles through strict time limits. Your child cannot be held for more than 48 hours without a detention hearing, excluding weekends and holidays. If arrested Friday evening, the clock starts Monday morning. This hearing may be the most important proceeding in your child’s entire case.

The judge considers whether your child poses a flight risk or danger to the community. Key factors include family support, home stability, school attendance, criminal history, substance abuse issues, and the nature of the alleged offense. Strong family support and regular school attendance help secure release, while violent crimes, weapons charges, or previous failures to appear work against it.

Reasons for Continued Detention	Reasons for Release
Violent or serious offenses	Strong family support system
Weapons charges	Stable home environment
Flight risk concerns	Regular school attendance
Previous failures to appear	No prior juvenile record
Public safety threat	Non-violent offense
Unstable home situation	Community ties and involvement
Substance abuse issues	Child’s young age and maturity
Gang involvement	Employment or school commitments

If detention continues, the law requires review hearings at least every 10 days. Children held more than three days must receive educational services. You maintain visitation rights, though visits are supervised. The facility must provide necessary medical and mental health care. Learn more about juvenile detention in Texas.

Why Should You Hire a Juvenile Lawyer Immediately?

The detention hearing sets the tone for your child’s entire case. You only get one chance to make that first impression. An experienced juvenile defense attorney knows what arguments work with local judges and can immediately begin gathering evidence for release. Anything your child says can be used against them later, and an attorney ensures they don’t inadvertently damage their case.

Extended detention means missed school, lost opportunities, family separation, and psychological trauma that lasts long after the legal case ends. The sooner you get a lawyer involved, the more options you have to protect your child.

Don’t wait. Talk to a lawyer before your child speaks to anyone. Call (281) 805-2220 to schedule a free consultation with Fort Bend juvenile lawyer Mike Hanson.

What Are Common Juvenile Charges in Fort Bend County?

Fort Bend County juveniles face a wide range of charges. Understanding the types of offenses helps families recognize why experienced legal representation matters. Common juvenile charges include truancy and runaway cases, disruption at school and fighting, vandalism and criminal mischief, shoplifting and theft, minor in possession of alcohol, drug possession including marijuana and THC products, underage DWI, possession of a weapon, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, assault, aggravated assault, burglary and robbery, sex offenses including sexting, online crimes and cyberbullying, and terroristic threats.

In serious or violent cases, prosecutors may attempt to certify a child as an adult. Juveniles 14 or older can be certified for adult court, which can result in adult-level sentencing. We fight aggressively to keep cases in the juvenile system where rehabilitation remains possible.

How Our Firm Gets Results in Fort Bend Juvenile Cases

Our track record speaks for itself. In a recent Fort Bend County case, Attorney Mike Hanson represented a juvenile facing an Injury to Child charge with impeding breath. The original charge was serious enough to threaten a child’s future. Mike negotiated with prosecutors to have the charge dropped and refiled as a much less serious offense. The case was ultimately resolved with the charge reduced to a misdemeanor assault with 18 months of deferred adjudication, protecting the child’s record and future opportunities.

In another Fort Bend County matter, a juvenile faced a felony possession of methamphetamine charge. Through strategic defense work, Mike secured a non-suit, meaning the case was completely dismissed with no finding against the child.

Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.

What Outcomes Are Possible in Juvenile Court?

One of the most important aspects of a juvenile case is understanding the possible outcomes. Fort Bend juvenile lawyer Mike Hanson is committed to guiding families through every phase of the process while working toward the best possible result.

Deferred Prosecution: This informal six-month probation period is offered in many first-time, non-violent cases. If your child completes it successfully, no conviction is entered and the case can be sealed.

Juvenile Probation: Court-ordered probation may include school attendance requirements, drug testing, curfews, counseling, and check-ins with a probation officer. Under Texas law, juvenile probation cannot extend beyond the child’s 18th birthday.

Commitment to TJJD: For serious or repeat offenses, a child can be committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) until age 19. This is essentially incarceration in a state facility for juveniles.

Certification as an Adult: Prosecutors may try to certify a child as an adult and transfer the case to adult court. This can result in adult-level sentencing, including prison time. Learn more about juvenile certification.

Watch: What Is It Like Inside Juvenile Detention?

What Is Our Rehabilitation-Focused Defense Approach?

We believe the goal of the juvenile justice system should be second chances, not permanent records. We work to secure outcomes that prioritize your child’s growth and future. This includes pursuing diversion programs that keep your child out of court through community-based interventions, first offender programs that avoid a record through educational and service-based alternatives, access to mental health and trauma-informed counseling services, educational advocacy to support your child’s learning plan and school reintegration, and sealing juvenile records when the case is over for eligible clients.

Why Do Families Trust Varghese Summersett?

Varghese Summersett is the only law firm in Texas with two attorneys Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Our team includes former prosecutors who understand both sides of the courtroom. We bring military professionalism, decades of combined experience, and genuine care for your child’s long-term future.

With four offices across Texas, including our Houston-area location serving Fort Bend County families, we have the resources and reach to provide exceptional representation. Our team has secured over 1,600 dismissals and 800 charge reductions across all practice areas, demonstrating our commitment to fighting for every client.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Bend Juvenile Cases

How long can a juvenile be detained in Texas?

Texas law requires a detention hearing within 48 hours of arrest, excluding weekends and holidays. If detention continues, review hearings must occur at least every 10 days. Children cannot be held indefinitely without judicial review.

Can a juvenile be tried as an adult in Fort Bend County?

Yes. Juveniles 14 or older can be certified to stand trial as adults for serious offenses. This process is called certification, and prosecutors must prove to a judge that the child should be transferred to adult court. We fight aggressively to prevent certification.

Will my child have a criminal record after a juvenile case?

Juvenile records are separate from adult criminal records, but they can still affect your child’s future. Many juvenile records can be sealed after the case concludes, which removes them from public view. We help eligible clients pursue record sealing.

What should I do if my child is arrested in Fort Bend County?

First, confirm your child’s location by calling the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center at (281) 341-8532. Second, contact a juvenile defense attorney immediately. Do not let your child speak to police or prosecutors without a lawyer present.

How much does a juvenile defense lawyer cost?

We offer free, confidential consultations for all juvenile cases. During your consultation, we will review the specific charges, explain your legal options, and discuss our fee structure. Every case is different, and we work with families to make quality representation accessible.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

Time is critical when your child faces juvenile charges. The sooner we get involved, the more options we have to protect your child’s freedom and future. We offer free, confidential consultations for all juvenile cases in Fort Bend County.

During your free consultation, we will review the specific charges your child is facing, explain your legal options and potential outcomes, discuss our defense strategy for your case, answer all your questions about the juvenile justice process, and provide honest advice about what to expect.

Your first call should confirm your child’s location. Your second call should be to us. Click here to schedule a confidential consultation with Fort Bend Juvenile Lawyer Mike Hanson. We serve families in Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, and throughout the Greater Houston Area.

Protect your child’s future. Call (281) 805-2220 now.