Showing posts with label Houston Juvenile Defense Attorney. Show all posts

Harris County Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan Defends Children with Mental Illness

Houston Juvenile Defense of Teens with Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan is very knowledgeable in various mental health and substance disorders and how they impact a juvenile. Behavior, mood, anxiety and substance disorders are common with children brought into the juvenile system. These children often have more than one disorder; substance abuse is the most common “co-occurence” with a mental illness. These disorders frequently put children at risk for risky behavior and delinquent acts.

If your child needs a juvenile defense lawyer, contact Houston Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 for a free confidential consultation.

Behavioral Disorders

Behavioral disorders are characterized by actions that harm or disturb others and that cause distress or disability. Typical behavioral disorders are ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and conduct disorders.

Emotional Disorders

Emotional disorders occur when a child’s ability to function is impaired by depression or anxiety. The occurrence of depression is significantly higher among juvenile offenders than among other young people.

Substance Abuse

Many juvenile offenders have a history of substance abuse. Studies also have shown that up two-thirds of juveniles in the justice system with a mental health diagnosis had dual disorders, most often including substance abuse.

According to the National Mental Health Association, between 30 and 50 percent of juvenile in the justice system have disruptive behavior disorders.

Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, Asperger’s Sydrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Anxiety disorders and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) are also prevalent among juvenile offenders, especially girls. Asperger’s syndrome (i.e. High Functioning Autism) are less common in juvenile offenders. Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, however, are rare in juveniles in the justice system.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), children aged 3-17 years have:

ADHD (6.8%)
Behavioral or conduct problems (3.5%)
Anxiety (3.0%)
Depression (2.1%)
Autism spectrum disorders (1.1%)
Tourette syndrome (0.2%) (among children aged 6–17 years)

Adolescents aged 12–17 years have:

Illicit drug use disorder in the past year (4.7%)
Alcohol use disorder in the past year (4.2%)

Approximately 65 to 70 percent of the 2 million children and adolescents arrested each year in the United States have a mental health disorder. Approximately one in four suffers from a mental illness so severe that it impairs his or her ability to function as a young person and grow into a responsible adult. Without treatment, the child may continue on a path of delinquency and eventually adult crime.

Childhood Trauma

There is a stronger link between childhood trauma and addiction that than there is between obesity and diabetes. Two thirds of addicts report being abused as children.

For a good understanding of trauma and how it impacts the brain and behavior, read The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk.

Contact Attorney James Sullivan

Harris County Juvenile Defense Attorney James Sullivan is a recognized expert in juvenile law and fights to defend children accused of delinquency offenses. Since 1994, James Sullivan has fought to defend thousands of children accused of delinquency. He has defended children in juvenile court on virtually every kind of delinquency case, ranging from misdemeanor cases such as possession of marijuana, theft and assault to felony cases such as aggravated sexual assault of a child, robbery and murder. He provides a strong legal defense and is appreciative of the many reviews that parents of juvenile clients have written.

Attorney James Sullivan has been Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2004. Sullivan is a recognized expert in the highly specialized area of juvenile law.

Contact Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 for a free confidential consultation.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.

Juveniles Charged with Sex Offenses in Houston Are on the Rise

Houston Juvenile Sex Crimes Lawyer

Houston Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan is Board Certified in Juvenile Law and frequently represents juveniles accused with committing sex offenses. Attorney James Sullivan also represents adults and juveniles when they are being investigated by CPS (Children's Protective Services).

Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan has success in both representing juveniles in court and in indirectly persuading authorities not to file charges against the adult or juvenile suspect. James Sullivan represents juveniles and adults accused of sex offenses and other offenses in Harris and the surrounding counties.

Juvenile sex offenses are serious offenses. The consequences can be extremely serious. A convicted juvenile sex offender could be made to register as a public sex offender until age 28. The convicted juvenile could be facing years of confinement as a juvenile and possibly even later as an adult under the Determinate Sentencing laws. If old enough and the allegations serious enough, the State could even seek certification of the juvenile to be charged as an adult and transfer proceedings to criminal district court.

If you need a Houston Juvenile Lawyer, call Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428.

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According to an article printed in the April 21, 2012 edition of the Houston Chronicle (see below), juvenile sex offenses are on the rise--

Sex crimes by juvenile offenders on the rise

In Harris County, those offenses are up 17%, while others are rapidly declining

By Cindy Horswell

Last fall, a Houston mother grew perplexed as to why her 8-year-old son was constantly crying and having trouble sleeping.

Then she received a phone call from a Houston policeman, who informed her that a surveillance camera had captured her son being sexually assaulted by two 10-year-old classmates on the school bus. The two older boys are set for a hearing on the assault in May.

Two more boys, ages 10 and 11, also are awaiting trial on accusations that they sexually assaulted an 8-year-old boy at a shelter for immigrant children in north Houston.

Similarly, six juveniles— including one middle school student— were accused of being among the 20 boys and men who gang-raped an 11-year-old girl in Cleveland in 2010.

Five of those juveniles have since admitted their guilt.

In the last five years, the number of juveniles committing sexual assaults has increased 17 percent in Harris County while most other major juvenile crimes have shown significant declines, probation records show.

Reasons not clear

Sex offenses climbed from 121 to 142 during that period, while other violent juvenile crimes such as murder and robbery declined, dropping by 28 percent and 24 percent.

Terrance Windham, chief of the juvenile division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, is unsure what’s provoking the rise in sex offenses. But in such a highly sexualized media world, where pornography is an Internet click away and MTV shows and music videos glamorize risky youth behaviors, Windham isn’t surprised, either. “When I was growing up, kids didn’t have the kind of access to what they do now,” he said.

Two therapists certified to treat juvenile sex offenders in Harris County, Robert McLaughlin and Ramon Alvarez, say the vast majority of the youths they treat have been exposed to pornography at an early age— sometimes as young as 7 years old.

Alvarez recalled treating one 7-year-old who was accidentally exposed to a porn star who popped up on the Internet when his mother typed in the word “Disney.”

“It stuck inhis head and then he later, trying to copy it, got into trouble with wrongful touching while playing with a neighbor’s child,” Alvarez said. “These days you don’t have to seek out porn. It seeks you.”

But since most juveniles often have some exposure to porn, McLaughlin said it’s difficult to show any clear linkage to sexual assaults because not everyone will react aggressively to it.

Yet he and Alvarez believe some youths may be more vulnerable when exposed at a very early age, before puberty when their brain is still developing.

“Those who act out sexually may have more trouble with impulse regulation or anticipating consequences. They want to experiment,” McLaughlin said.

‘Real red flag’

Harris County juvenile court judge Mike Schneider said the juvenile sex offenders who attack strangers are rare and that would be a “real red flag” of a predator type.

“Usually, the perpetrator has had a relationship with the victim, such as a cousin, sibling or friend,” he said.

The U.S. Justice Department says 36 percent of sex crimes against children are committed by other children. Five percent of all sex offenders are younger than 9, and 16 percent are younger than 12, records show.

One of the latest studies disputes the stereotype that juvenile sex offenders are like the typical young delinquent who comes from a broken home with a criminal history, poor attitude, lacking social skills and substance abuse problems.

“Rather, our review of thousands of cases found juveniles who committed sex crimes were overall much less antisocial than those committing other offenses,” said Michael Seto, one of the foremost authorities on adolescent sex offenders, who coauthored the study.

Seto, with the Royal Ottawa Healthy Care Group in Canada, found the average sex offender was generally a socially isolated individual who had developed an “atypical” interest in sex (from coercion to incest), been abused sexually and exposed early to pornography.

“The single biggest surprise to me from this study was how incredibly young the first exposure was to porn. Now we’re talking about hard-core porn with fetish content and unusual stuff being exposed to elementary students,” he said, adding that more research is needed into the role porn plays.

The good news, according to therapists, is that early intervention is effective with children.

After treatment, the recidivism rate averages 14 percent nationally for adolescent sex offenders, compared to 40 percent for similar adult offenders.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Houston Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan Solves Legal Problems

Harris County Juvenile Lawyers

Houston Juvenile Delinquency Lawyer James Sullivan fights to solve legal problems for his many clients in criminal and juvenile court. Each client has a story to tell and a legal problem to solve. Some clients are charged with serious felony offenses, others with misdemeanor offenses. No matter the level of offense, each client faces prosecution from the government and needs legal help.

A problem well stated is a problem half solved. ~Charles F. Kettering, inventor and engineer (1876-1958)

Call Houston Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 to discuss your child's case.

Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan approaches each legal problem with the mindset of obtaining the best possible result--

Can the State prove their case at trial?
Is the State's evidence persuasive?
What is the risk versus the reward?
Can the client afford to take the risk of a conviction?
Is the State agreeable to a deferred adjudication probation or pretrial diversion?

Depending on the case, the client and the evidence, the best possible result may vary from a not guilty verdict at trial, a dismissal by the State, a pretrial diversion contract, a deferred adjudication probation or some other resolution.

Houston Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan is also Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

If you have a legal problem to be solved in the juvenile court arena, you can call Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Juvenile Attorney in Houston | Criminal Law Lawyer in Texas

Houston, Texas Juvenile Law Attorney James Sullivan is an experienced Defense Lawyer.

Harris County Texas Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan has successfully fought the government in Jury Trials on behalf of clients in criminal and juvenile courts since 1994.

James Sullivan is also Board Certified in Juvenile Law since 2004 and recognized statewide as a juvenile law expert. He has a proven record of defending people from all walks of life, faiths and countries in courts throughout Texas.

Defending Your Freedom

James Sullivan chose to become a criminal lawyer. It was not by accident. Fighting the government and defending people come natural to him—he was born into a diverse, dynamic family of conservative Baptists and liberal social activists. Unlike many colleagues who practice criminal law, Sullivan has never prosecuted anyone and never will. That is not him. His entire career is devoted to defending people accused of crimes and delinquencies.

Proven Results

James Sullivan gets results. Over the past 30 years, Sullivan has defended more than 3,000 people charged with every kind of criminal and juvenile case, including murder, aggravated robbery, drug cases, sex offenses, and assault of a family member.

Philosophy

James Sullivan practices criminal law with a simple philosophy. If a client says he is not guilty, and if the prosecutor will not dismiss the charge, then Sullivan advises his client that they should fight the case at a jury trial. Unlike many other attorneys, Sullivan does not try to convince an innocent person to plead guilty. Instead, Sullivan fights for his clients’ freedom and reputation.

Affordable Legal Services

James Sullivan offers a full range of affordable legal services in his criminal and juvenile defense law practice. Unlike many other attorneys, Sullivan charges separate fees on trial and non-trial cases.

Cares About His Clients

James Sullivan cares about his adult and juvenile clients and is concerned about their future. He frequently counsels with clients at his office for hours at a time. He listens to their concerns, answers all of their questions and discusses legal strategies. He also explains how a criminal conviction could affect them and how to get on the right path for a successful life. Because Sullivan understands that people need to honor work and family commitments, he offers evening, weekend and same day appointments along with free parking.

Reputation

James Sullivan has a good reputation in the legal community. Sullivan is humbled by fine lawyers who endorse him on AVVO. He is also very grateful for clients who write testimonials on his behalf. Most of his business comes from referrals from past clients and other lawyers, although it is not necessary to have a referral for him to defend you. Anyone can call Sullivan to represent them.

The law practice of James Sullivan is devoted solely to criminal and juvenile defense. Sullivan has tried many cases in the Harris county criminal and juvenile courthouses. Approximately half of his cases involve criminal charges while the other half involves juvenile charges.

Contact Attorney James Sullivan

If you are under investigation or have been charged with a crime or delinquency, call Houston criminal defense attorney Sullivan to discuss your case.

James Sullivan generally tries to answer his own phone so that you can speak to an attorney directly. He wants to hear from you and to help you. Call him. Don’t go to court alone. To schedule an appointment or to discuss your case, call 281-546-6428.

Grand Jury Defense

If you are charged with a felony offense, James Sullivan may be able to get your case no billed (dismissed) by the grand jury, but you need to hire him before or soon after your first court setting. If your felony case is dismissed by the grand jury, you have the immediate right to get your criminal record expunged. Many of Sullivan’s clients have been able to do this within a few months of being arrested.

Board Certified in Juvenile Law

Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan is Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Juvenile law is different than criminal law. Note: Among the more than 83,000 active lawyers in Texas, there are only 68 lawyers Board Certified in Juvenile Law in the Lone Star State.

As an attorney myself, when concerns arose over an incident involving my son, I knew the extreme importance of finding an attorney who is Board Certified in juvenile law. Board Certified lawyers are highly specialized – enough that the State recognizes them for their expertise. My search led me to James Sullivan and I cannot thank him enough. He is extremely well-versed in this highly specialized area of law, kind, compassionate and non-judgmental. He spent a great deal of time understanding the incident involving my son and providing us guidance. Thankfully, it appears that this will turn out to only be a “learning opportunity” for my son but, I have James' number in my phone and will call him immediately if the need arises. ~Concerned Mom

Bilingual

James Sullivan speaks conversation Spanish, having studied Journalism, Latin American and Asian Studies at Baylor University, a nationally ranked Christian school. He graduated with honors in 1990. He then lived in Mexico City and traveled throughout Mexico prior to entering law school. In 1993, he graduated from South Texas College of Law. He and his wife Araceli have been married over 30 years and have two children. They worship at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. Sullivan is also an Eagle Scout.

NANCY BOTTS

Associate Attorney Nancy Botts has been licensed since 1988 and obtained her law degree from the University of Houston. She concentrates on criminal law and family law and handles all kinds of cases in these areas. As a criminal defense attorney, Nancy Botts’ main interest is in the areas of search and seizure law and drug defense. She has good results in drug defense cases. Other Houston criminal lawyers have consulted her for years about these subjects. She aggressively defends all felony and misdemeanor drug possession and drug delivery cases. She has successfully fought possession and delivery of controlled substance cases for amounts ranging from less than one gram to several kilograms.

As a family law attorney, Nancy Botts has good results in child custody and divorce cases. She also has a strong commitment to offering each client the best possible representation.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Harris County Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan Fights for Troubled Teens in Court

Houston Juvenile Lawyer

Harris County Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan is a recognized expert in juvenile law and fights to defend children accused of delinquency offenses.

Since 1994, James Sullivan has fought to defend over one thousand children. He has defended children in juvenile court on virtually every kind of delinquency case, ranging from misdemeanor possession of marijuana to felony murder.

Houston Attorney James Sullivan is Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2004. He is recognized as an expert in the highly specialized area of juvenile law.

Juvenile Law is different than criminal law. Many criminal defense lawyers advertise that they are also juvenile defense lawyers, yet they may never have tried a juvenile case to a jury. In order to hold oneself out as an expert in Juvenile Law, a lawyer has to be Board Certified in juvenile law. To become Board Certified in a specialty area, an attorney must

have been licensed to practice law for at least five years,
devoted a required percentage of practice to a specialty area for at least three years,
handled a wide variety of matters in the area to demonstrate experience and involvement (including at least 3 jury trials, 5 non-jury trials and 3 certification hearings),
attended continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date,
been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges, and
passed a 6-hour written examination.

The parents of children caught up in the juvenile justice system are very concerned about how their child’s misdemeanor or felony delinquency case could impact their future. This is a very valid concern. Colleges and universities have access to juvenile records. Clearly, a juvenile delinquent is less likely to receive a highly coveted admission to a top school. Also, law enforcement has access to juvenile records. When juveniles are stopped by the police, they may be treated differently when the police know that they have a record. There are several other ways that a juvenile record could impact your child.

If your child needs a juvenile defense lawyer, contact Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 for a free confidential consultation.

Harris County Criminal Attorney James Sullivan Defends All People and Condemns Religious Persecution

Houston Criminal Defense Attorney James Sullivan is Catholic and a strong supporter of religious freedom. He has friends from all faiths. He fights for all people no matter their background or circumstances. As a Christian, he believes that God blesses us to be a blessing to others. Sullivan uses his talents in the law and in public speaking to defend adult and juvenile accused from governmental prosecution. Sullivan also believes that many times what man meant for evil that God uses for good.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ~Genesis 50:20

Unfortunately, throughout the world, there is religious hatred and persecution. Christians are a minority in some countries and are sometimes targeted for death or serious injury.

In the Houston Chronicle today, the story of Julie Aftab is a good example. At age 16, Aftab was attacked with battery acid in her native Pakistan for being a Christian. Her attackers lied against her, falsely claiming she blasphemed Islam to justify their vicious and violent attack. Fortunately, thanks to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, she was able to come to Houston for treatment. Over time, She was able to forgive her attackers.

“Those people, they think they did a bad thing to me, but they brought me closer to God,” Aftab said. “They helped me fulfill my dreams. I never imagined I could be the person I am today.” She is now studying accounting in college and also plans to become a pastor and to raise money for a safe house for persecuted girls in Pakistan.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Houston Criminal Lawyer for CPS Investigations

If you are contacted by Harris County Children's Protective Services because they are investigating you or a family member, you must take this very seriously. Not only could you or a family member be facing criminal or juvenile prosecution, such an investigation could also destroy the peace of the family home by removing one of more of your children.

Call Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 if CPS is investigating your family.

You need to know that a CPS report will be forwarded to the police or to the Harris County District Attorney's Office, therefore you have to consider the possible consequences once you learn that a CPS investigation has been started. You or a family member could be arrested. During the early stages of the investigation, do not be misled. A CPS investigator may ask you some serious questions which could implicate you or a family member in a criminal or juvenile offense. An investigator may assure you that if you help explain some troubling issues that it may clear you or a family member of suspicion. The investigator may even ask you to undergo a polygraph examination.

If you have been contacted by CPS for an interview and or to take a polygraph, call Houston Criminal Lawyer James Sullivan immediately. Both the interview and the polygraph examination should be stopped by your attorney so that he can first assess the situation and the reason for the investigation. You should put your attorney between the CPS investigator and you. You have the absolute right to remain silent. Do not give up that right. Polygraph examinations are not reliable and the results cannot be used in court, however what you tell the polygrapher may be used against you. The State uses interviews and polygraph examinations to strengthen their case against you.

Consult with a Houston criminal lawyer before you talk to CPS. You can call Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

What Will Happen to my Child in Houston Juvenile Court?

What Will Happen When My Child Goes to Houston Juvenile Court?

The "arraignment" is the term of art used for your child's first court setting. Your child's juvenile defense attorney uses this setting to gather information about your child's case and about the strength of the District Attorney's case by reviewing their file. Defense attorneys are able to read over the police report and other evidence regarding your child's case because the District Attorney in Harris County has an open file policy. In addition, at this setting, in an effort to avoid a trial and to free up the court's docket, the Assistant District Attorney may offer a plea bargain in your child's case.

Call Houston Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 to discuss your child's case.

If it is ready, your defense attorney will also be able to read over the probation report on your child's case at this setting. Most likely, the probation officer has already called you and your child's school to gather information about your child's performance and behavior at home and at school. As the information will be relied upon by the prosecutor for plea bargaining purposes and by the court for disposition or punishment purposes, it is critical that the information in this report is true and accurate.

Sometimes, at the conclusion of this first setting, your child's case may be reset to a date further down the road. In order for your juvenile defense lawyer to interview witnesses, gather more information and to test the State's case and evidence, it may be necessary to reset your child's court date. Your Houston juvenile defense attorney will be able to let you know whether or not your should reset your child's case.

Houston Board Certified Juvenile Law Attorney James Sullivan will work hard to finish your child's case with as few court settings as possible while at the same time protecting your child's rights. Sullivan is a seasoned trial attorney. Sullivan has been board certified since 2004 and practiced criminal and juvenile law since 1994.

You can call James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 to discuss representation for your child.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

What Will Happen to my Child in Houston Juvenile Court?

What is Going to Happen to My Child if He Is Found Guilty?

Actually, your child cannot be found guilty because juvenile proceedings are consider civil in nature. Instead, children are said to "have engaged in delinquent conduct" if the jury or judge finds beyond a reasonable doubt that the child committed an offense. This may seem like just semantics but it is a distinction that will benefit your child down the road. This is especially true when your child goes to apply for a job. Most job applications have the question as to whether or not the applicant has been "convicted" of a crime. Because a juvenile has not been convicted, he may legally answer no.

Call Houston Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 to discuss your child's case.

The end result of a disposition hearing if a child is found to have engaged in delinquent conduct can range from a 6 month probation with the child remaining in the home to commitment in the TJJD (Texas Juvenile Justice Department). In some serious felony cases, the child may even face transfer or certification to stand trial as an adult in the criminal district court.

To contact a board certified Houston juvenile lawyer, call Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 for a free consultation.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

What Will Happen to my Child in Houston Juvenile Court?

What is Going to Happen to my Child in Houston Juvenile Court? A Police Officer says my child is being charged with a crime.

When juveniles are charged with a crime, they are often taken into custody by the police. Some times, the child is released to a parent or guardian by the police. The parents are informed that their child is being charged but they can take their child home when this happens. The police will then send their information regarding the case to the District Attorney over the next few days or weeks. Upon receiving the information, if the District Attorney decides to accept charges on the juvenile, a petition is filed with the juvenile courts. After it is filed, a Deputy Constable will come to your home and personally "serve" the child and his parents with documents instructing them to appear in court on a particulate date.

Call Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 to discuss your child's case.

At the same time, the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department begins their process of gathering information about your child and your family. The probation department is responsible for preparing a probation report for the court, the prosecutor and the defense attorney. A probation office usually will call you or your child to discuss his situation. The probation officer may call you early on in the case even before the petition is filed with the court.

Before you speak with the probation officer, it is critical that you and your child consult with his or her Houston juvenile attorney because you must be careful to safeguard your child's rights. It is good to be cooperative with the probation department but it is better to talk to a Houston juvenile lawyer first. Understand that the contents of the probation report that is given to the court and the prosecutor to consider is mostly based on the information which you have provided.

You can call Board Certified Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan (281) 546-6428 to discuss your child's case before talking with a probation officer.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Houston Juvenile Detention Factors for Release

Will My Child Be Released by the Juvenile Court Judge?

I have heard so many stories about kids just being locked up and spending months in jail waiting for trial and not ever being released to their parents. Is that true?

When the Juvenile Court Judge is trying to determine whether to release a juvenile or keep him detained, what does the judge consider?

To discuss your child's case with a board certified Houston Juvenile Lawyer, call Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428.

The Juvenile Court Judge considers 5 factors when making the determination as to releasing the child to a parent or guarding or to hold the child in the detention center awaiting court--

whether the child is likely to run away or be taken outside the jurisdiction of the court,
whether a parent or guardian can provide suitable care, supervision and protection for the child,
whether the child has a parent or guardian who will return him to court at all of his court settings,
whether the child may be a danger to himself or others if released from juvenile detention and
whether the child has a history of having been found to have engaged in delinquent conduct and is likely to commit a new offense if released.

If parents (or guardians) are seeking their child's release from detention, it is very important that they be present at the detention hearing with a good Houston juvenile lawyer to ask the judge to release their child.

Call Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 to discuss your child's case.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Houston Juvenile Lawyer for Sex Crimes Defense

Harris County Juvenile Attorney for Sex Crimes

Children will be children, and in these present times, children reach puberty at a younger and younger age and become naturally curious about their own sexuality.

Unfortunately, their natural inclination to experiment often breaks Texas state laws, and these children as young as ten can get arrested for serious felony offenses.

These children need good representation to save them from possible lifetime repercussions.

Call Houston Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 to discuss your child's case.

Children can be ordered to register as sex offenders until the age of 28. Older children can be certified as adults and have their cases transferred to adult court where they could face many years in prison. As their Board Certified Houston Juvenile Attorney, James Sullivan will work hard to represent your child so that he will not have to register as a Texas sex offender and possibly not be found delinquent at all. Sullivan has represented many juveniles accused of sex offenses and have had their cases dismissed or reduced from a serious felony such as aggravated sexual assault of a child to a misdemeanor offense such as assault.

Houston Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan has a proven record and reputation of fighting for children accused of sex crimes in court. Your child should not be marked for life for something he or she did as a young teenager. Sullivan will work hard to make sure your child is not sent to TJJD (Texas Juvenile Justice Department). In all of his cases, none of his clients have had to register as sex offenders, an ordeal that could have negatively impacted them for life. In fact, Sullivan has actually worked to have several former clients of other juvenile lawyers be allowed to de-register from the public sex offender registration list. Sullivan has the experience in getting Houston juvenile sex offense cases dismissed or won at trial.

Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan has proven experience in such serious sex offenses as:

aggravated sexual assault of a child
sexual assault of a child
indecency with a child
indecent exposure
possession of child pornography
promotion of child pornography

What many times is a horrible misunderstanding regarding your child's sexual behavior James Sullivan will work hard to minimize or eliminate the effects of. Sex offenses are always a deeply personal and serious issue, and Sullivan will work with the utmost respect, compassion and professionalism.

If your child has been accused of a sex offense, call Board Certified Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428. He will help your child and your family get through it.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Representation in Houston Juvenile Court

Houston Juvenile Court Lawyers

Your Child Listens To His Houston Juvenile Attorney

If your child cooperates with their Houston Juvenile Lawyer, his or her chances of being released from detention and returning to your home increases. Furthermore, if they are ultimately found true to have engaged in delinquent conduct in court, he or she is more likely to receive a lenient sentence. Following your lawyer's advice can only help your case no matter what.

Your Child Should Behave

If your child is charged with a Texas juvenile offense, he or she should not get into any more trouble. You have enough problems already. Your child should be on their best behavior. If you have to supervise your child at all times and keep him or her in the house, do it because that may be the only way to get past this accusation.

If Your Child Needs It, Get Him or Her Help

You child may need additional assistance. Some children have mental problems. If your child does, we have experience working with psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists on Texas juvenile cases. We can also work with you to get your child drug therapy if he or she needs it. We can advise you on what to do before your child first comes to court.

Your child may need extra support. If your child has any psychological problems, we have experience working with psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists on juvenile cases. If your child has a drug problem we can also work with you to get you the help you need. The proper representation of a juvenile requires a complex multi-disciplinary approach that only a trained expert knows how to properly handle.

Houston Juvenile Attorney James Sullivan is a Board Certified Houston Juvenile Defense Attorney and is a recognized expert in the highly specialized area of Juvenile Law.

Does your child have the proper representation of a Board Certified Houston Juvenile Attorney? If not, call James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428. He will fight to keep your child's record clean.

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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

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Houston Juvenile Defense of Teens with Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

Harris County Juvenile Attorney for Sex Crimes