CHAPTER 51. GENERAL PROVISIONS

FAMILY CODE

TITLE 3. JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE

CHAPTER 51. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 51.01. PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION. This title shall be

construed to effectuate the following public purposes:

(1) to provide for the protection of the public and public

safety;

(2) consistent with the protection of the public and public

safety:

(A) to promote the concept of punishment for criminal acts;

(B) to remove, where appropriate, the taint of criminality from

children committing certain unlawful acts; and

(C) to provide treatment, training, and rehabilitation that

emphasizes the accountability and responsibility of both the

parent and the child for the child's conduct;

(3) to provide for the care, the protection, and the wholesome

moral, mental, and physical development of children coming within

its provisions;

(4) to protect the welfare of the community and to control the

commission of unlawful acts by children;

(5) to achieve the foregoing purposes in a family environment

whenever possible, separating the child from the child's parents

only when necessary for the child's welfare or in the interest of

public safety and when a child is removed from the child's

family, to give the child the care that should be provided by

parents; and

(6) to provide a simple judicial procedure through which the

provisions of this title are executed and enforced and in which

the parties are assured a fair hearing and their constitutional

and other legal rights recognized and enforced.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 2, eff. Jan.

1, 1996.

Sec. 51.02. DEFINITIONS. In this title:

(1) "Aggravated controlled substance felony" means an offense

under Subchapter D, Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, that is

punishable by:

(A) a minimum term of confinement that is longer than the

minimum term of confinement for a felony of the first degree; or

(B) a maximum fine that is greater than the maximum fine for a

felony of the first degree.

(2) "Child" means a person who is:

(A) ten years of age or older and under 17 years of age; or

(B) seventeen years of age or older and under 18 years of age

who is 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.

(3) "Custodian" means the adult with whom the child resides.

(4) "Guardian" means the person who, under court order, is the

guardian of the person of the child or the public or private

agency with whom the child has been placed by a court.

(5) "Judge" or "juvenile court judge" means the judge of a

juvenile court.

(6) "Juvenile court" means a court designated under Section

51.04 of this code to exercise jurisdiction over proceedings

under this title.

(7) "Law-enforcement officer" means a peace officer as defined

by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(8) "Nonoffender" means a child who:

(A) is subject to jurisdiction of a court under abuse,

dependency, or neglect statutes under Title 5 for reasons other

than legally prohibited conduct of the child; or

(B) has been taken into custody and is being held solely for

deportation out of the United States.

(8-a) "Nonsecure correctional facility" means a facility, other

than a secure correctional facility, that accepts only juveniles

who are on probation and that is operated by or under contract

with a governmental unit, as defined by Section 101.001, Civil

Practice and Remedies Code.

(9) "Parent" means the mother or the father of a child, but does

not include a parent whose parental rights have been terminated.

(10) "Party" means the state, a child who is the subject of

proceedings under this subtitle, or the child's parent, spouse,

guardian, or guardian ad litem.

(11) "Prosecuting attorney" means the county attorney, district

attorney, or other attorney who regularly serves in a prosecutory

capacity in a juvenile court.

(12) "Referral to juvenile court" means the referral of a child

or a child's case to the office or official, including an intake

officer or probation officer, designated by the juvenile board to

process children within the juvenile justice system.

(13) "Secure correctional facility" means any public or private

residential facility, including an alcohol or other drug

treatment facility, that:

(A) includes construction fixtures designed to physically

restrict the movements and activities of juveniles or other

individuals held in lawful custody in the facility; and

(B) is used for the placement of any juvenile who has been

adjudicated as having committed an offense, any nonoffender, or

any other individual convicted of a criminal offense.

(14) "Secure detention facility" means any public or private

residential facility that:

(A) includes construction fixtures designed to physically

restrict the movements and activities of juveniles or other

individuals held in lawful custody in the facility; and

(B) is used for the temporary placement of any juvenile who is

accused of having committed an offense, any nonoffender, or any

other individual accused of having committed a criminal offense.

(15) "Status offender" means a child who is accused,

adjudicated, or convicted for conduct that would not, under state

law, be a crime if committed by an adult, including:

(A) truancy under Section 51.03(b)(2);

(B) running away from home under Section 51.03(b)(3);

(C) a fineable only offense under Section 51.03(b)(1)

transferred to the juvenile court under Section 51.08(b), but

only if the conduct constituting the offense would not have been

criminal if engaged in by an adult;

(D) failure to attend school under Section 25.094, Education

Code;

(E) a violation of standards of student conduct as described by

Section 51.03(b)(5);

(F) a violation of a juvenile curfew ordinance or order;

(G) a violation of a provision of the Alcoholic Beverage Code

applicable to minors only; or

(H) a violation of any other fineable only offense under Section

8.07(a)(4) or (5), Penal Code, but only if the conduct

constituting the offense would not have been criminal if engaged

in by an adult.

(16) "Traffic offense" means:

(A) a violation of a penal statute cognizable under Chapter 729,

Transportation Code, except for conduct for which the person

convicted may be sentenced to imprisonment or confinement in

jail; or

(B) a violation of a motor vehicle traffic ordinance of an

incorporated city or town in this state.

(17) "Valid court order" means a court order entered under

Section 54.04 concerning a child adjudicated to have engaged in

conduct indicating a need for supervision as a status offender.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2152, ch. 693, Sec. 1,

eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 3, eff.

Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 6.06, 30.182,

eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 822, Sec. 2, eff.

Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1013, Sec. 13, eff.

Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 41, 47, eff.

Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 821, Sec. 2.02, eff.

June 14, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.

1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

949, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

1187, Sec. 4.004, eff. June 19, 2009.

Sec. 51.03. DELINQUENT CONDUCT; CONDUCT INDICATING A NEED FOR

SUPERVISION. (a) Delinquent conduct is:

(1) conduct, other than a traffic offense, that violates a penal

law of this state or of the United States punishable by

imprisonment or by confinement in jail;

(2) conduct that violates a lawful order of a court under

circumstances that would constitute contempt of that court in:

(A) a justice or municipal court; or

(B) a county court for conduct punishable only by a fine;

(3) conduct that violates Section 49.04, 49.05, 49.06, 49.07, or

49.08, Penal Code; or

(4) conduct that violates Section 106.041, Alcoholic Beverage

Code, relating to driving under the influence of alcohol by a

minor (third or subsequent offense).

(b) Conduct indicating a need for supervision is:

(1) subject to Subsection (f), conduct, other than a traffic

offense, that violates:

(A) the penal laws of this state of the grade of misdemeanor

that are punishable by fine only; or

(B) the penal ordinances of any political subdivision of this

state;

(2) the absence of a child on 10 or more days or parts of days

within a six-month period in the same school year or on three or

more days or parts of days within a four-week period from school;

(3) the voluntary absence of a child from the child's home

without the consent of the child's parent or guardian for a

substantial length of time or without intent to return;

(4) conduct prohibited by city ordinance or by state law

involving the inhalation of the fumes or vapors of paint and

other protective coatings or glue and other adhesives and the

volatile chemicals itemized in Section 485.001, Health and Safety

Code;

(5) an act that violates a school district's previously

communicated written standards of student conduct for which the

child has been expelled under Section 37.007(c), Education Code;

or

(6) conduct that violates a reasonable and lawful order of a

court entered under Section 264.305.

(c) Nothing in this title prevents criminal proceedings against

a child for perjury.

(d) It is an affirmative defense to an allegation of conduct

under Subsection (b)(2) that one or more of the absences required

to be proven under that subsection have been excused by a school

official or by the court or that one or more of the absences were

involuntary, but only if there is an insufficient number of

unexcused or voluntary absences remaining to constitute conduct

under Subsection (b)(2). The burden is on the respondent to show

by a preponderance of the evidence that the absence has been or

should be excused or that the absence was involuntary. A

decision by the court to excuse an absence for purposes of this

subsection does not affect the ability of the school district to

determine whether to excuse the absence for another purpose.

(e) For the purposes of Subsection (b)(3), "child" does not

include a person who is married, divorced, or widowed.

(f) Except as provided by Subsection (g), conduct described

under Subsection (b)(1) does not constitute conduct indicating a

need for supervision unless the child has been referred to the

juvenile court under Section 51.08(b).

(g) In a county with a population of less than 100,000, conduct

described by Subsection (b)(1)(A) that violates Section 25.094,

Education Code, is conduct indicating a need for supervision.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2153, ch. 693, Sec. 2

to 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 906, ch. 340,

Sec. 1, eff. June 6, 1977; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 511, Sec. 1,

eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 924, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 955, Sec. 1, eff. June

19, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1040, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1,

1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1099, Sec. 48, eff. Sept. 1,

1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1100, Sec. 3.02, eff. Aug. 28,

1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1245, Sec. 1, 4, eff. Sept. 1,

1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 284(35), eff. Sept. 1,

1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 7.02, eff. Aug. 26,

1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 169, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991;

Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 46, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts

1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 14.30, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts

1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997,

75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 6.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997,

75th Leg., ch. 1013, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th

Leg., ch. 1015, Sec. 15, eff. June 19, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th

Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg.,

ch. 1297, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch.

1514, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137,

Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

949, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

908, Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

311, Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 51.031. HABITUAL FELONY CONDUCT. (a) Habitual felony

conduct is conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony,

other than a state jail felony, if:

(1) the child who engaged in the conduct has at least two

previous final adjudications as having engaged in delinquent

conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony;

(2) the second previous final adjudication is for conduct that

occurred after the date the first previous adjudication became

final; and

(3) all appeals relating to the previous adjudications

considered under Subdivisions (1) and (2) have been exhausted.

(b) For purposes of this section, an adjudication is final if

the child is placed on probation or committed to the Texas Youth

Commission.

(c) An adjudication based on conduct that occurred before

January 1, 1996, may not be considered in a disposition made

under this section.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 5, eff. Jan. 1,

1996. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 2, eff.

Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 51.04. JURISDICTION. (a) This title covers the

proceedings in all cases involving the delinquent conduct or

conduct indicating a need for supervision engaged in by a person

who was a child within the meaning of this title at the time the

person engaged in the conduct, and, except as provided by

Subsection (h), the juvenile court has exclusive original

jurisdiction over proceedings under this title.

(b) In each county, the county's juvenile board shall designate

one or more district, criminal district, domestic relations,

juvenile, or county courts or county courts at law as the

juvenile court, subject to Subsections (c) and (d) of this

section.

(c) If the county court is designated as a juvenile court, at

least one other court shall be designated as the juvenile court.

A county court does not have jurisdiction of a proceeding

involving a petition approved by a grand jury under Section

53.045 of this code.

(d) If the judge of a court designated in Subsection (b) or (c)

of this section is not an attorney licensed in this state, there

shall also be designated an alternate court, the judge of which

is an attorney licensed in this state.

(e) A designation made under Subsection (b) or (c) of this

section may be changed from time to time by the authorized boards

or judges for the convenience of the people and the welfare of

children. However, there must be at all times a juvenile court

designated for each county. It is the intent of the legislature

that in selecting a court to be the juvenile court of each

county, the selection shall be made as far as practicable so that

the court designated as the juvenile court will be one which is

presided over by a judge who has a sympathetic understanding of

the problems of child welfare and that changes in the designation

of juvenile courts be made only when the best interest of the

public requires it.

(f) If the judge of the juvenile court or any alternate judge

named under Subsection (b) or (c) is not in the county or is

otherwise unavailable, any magistrate may make a determination

under Section 53.02(f) or may conduct the detention hearing

provided for in Section 54.01.

(g) The juvenile board may appoint a referee to make

determinations under Section 53.02(f) or to conduct hearings

under this title. The referee shall be an attorney licensed to

practice law in this state and shall comply with Section 54.10.

Payment of any referee services shall be provided from county

funds.

(h) In a county with a population of less than 100,000, the

juvenile court has concurrent jurisdiction with the justice and

municipal courts over conduct engaged in by a child that violates

Section 25.094, Education Code.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1357, ch. 514, Sec. 1,

eff. June 19, 1975; Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2153, ch. 693, Sec.

5 to 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 1112, ch.

411, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 1977; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 385,

Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 168, Sec.

4, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 232, Sec. 2,

eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 3, eff.

Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1514, Sec. 12, eff.

Sept. 1, 2001.

Sec. 51.041. JURISDICTION AFTER APPEAL. (a) The court retains

jurisdiction over a person, without regard to the age of the

person, for conduct engaged in by the person before becoming 17

years of age if, as a result of an appeal by the person or the

state under Chapter 56 or by the person under Article 44.47, Code

of Criminal Procedure, of an order of the court, the order is

reversed or modified and the case remanded to the court by the

appellate court.

(b) If the respondent is at least 18 years of age when the order

of remand from the appellate court is received by the juvenile

court, the juvenile court shall proceed as provided by Sections

54.02(o)-(r) for the detention of a person at least 18 years of

age in discretionary transfer proceedings. Pending retrial of the

adjudication or transfer proceeding, the juvenile court may:

(1) order the respondent released from custody;

(2) order the respondent detained in a juvenile detention

facility; or

(3) set bond and order the respondent detained in a county adult

facility if bond is not made.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 6, eff. Jan. 1,

1996. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 4, eff.

Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 2, eff. Sept.

1, 2003.

Sec. 51.0411. JURISDICTION FOR TRANSFER OR RELEASE HEARING. The

court retains jurisdiction over a person, without regard to the

age of the person, who is referred to the court under Section

54.11 for transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or

release under supervision.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 3, eff. June 19,

1997.

Sec. 51.0412. JURISDICTION OVER INCOMPLETE PROCEEDINGS. The

court retains jurisdiction over a person, without regard to the

age of the person, who is a respondent in an adjudication

proceeding, a disposition proceeding, a proceeding to modify

disposition, or a motion for transfer of determinate sentence

probation to an appropriate district court if:

(1) the petition, motion to modify, or motion for transfer was

filed while the respondent was younger than 18 years of age;

(2) the proceeding is not complete before the respondent becomes

18 years of age; and

(3) the court enters a finding in the proceeding that the

prosecuting attorney exercised due diligence in an attempt to

complete the proceeding before the respondent became 18 years of

age.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

908, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 51.042. OBJECTION TO JURISDICTION BECAUSE OF AGE OF THE

CHILD. (a) A child who objects to the jurisdiction of the court

over the child because of the age of the child must raise the

objection at the adjudication hearing or discretionary transfer

hearing, if any.

(b) A child who does not object as provided by Subsection (a)

waives any right to object to the jurisdiction of the court

because of the age of the child at a later hearing or on appeal.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 6, eff. Jan. 1,

1996.

Sec. 51.045. JURIES IN COUNTY COURTS AT LAW. If a provision of

this title requires a jury of 12 persons, that provision prevails

over any other law that limits the number of members of a jury in

a particular county court at law. The state and the defense are

entitled to the same number of peremptory challenges allowed in a

district court.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 385, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

1987.

Sec. 51.05. COURT SESSIONS AND FACILITIES. (a) The juvenile

court shall be deemed in session at all times. Suitable quarters

shall be provided by the commissioners court of each county for

the hearing of cases and for the use of the judge, the probation

officer, and other employees of the court.

(b) The juvenile court and the juvenile board shall report

annually to the commissioners court on the suitability of the

quarters and facilities of the juvenile court and may make

recommendations for their improvement.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2154, ch. 693, Sec. 8,

eff. Sept. 1, 1975.

Sec. 51.06. VENUE. (a) A proceeding under this title shall be

commenced in

(1) the county in which the alleged delinquent conduct or

conduct indicating a need for supervision occurred; or

(2) the county in which the child resides at the time the

petition is filed, but only if:

(A) the child was under probation supervision in that county at

the time of the commission of the delinquent conduct or conduct

indicating a need for supervision;

(B) it cannot be determined in which county the delinquent

conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision occurred; or

(C) the county in which the child resides agrees to accept the

case for prosecution, in writing, prior to the case being sent to

the county of residence for prosecution.

(b) An application for a writ of habeas corpus brought by or on

behalf of a person who has been committed to an institution under

the jurisdiction of the Texas Youth Commission and which attacks

the validity of the judgment of commitment shall be brought in

the county in which the court that entered the judgment of

commitment is located.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 161, ch. 44, art. 1,

Sec. 1, eff. April 26, 1983; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec.

7, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 488, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 51.07. TRANSFER TO ANOTHER COUNTY FOR DISPOSITION. When a

child has been found to have engaged in delinquent conduct or

conduct indicating a need for supervision under Section 54.03,

the juvenile court may transfer the case and transcripts of

records and documents to the juvenile court of the county where

the child resides for disposition of the case under Section

54.04. Consent by the court of the county where the child

resides is not required.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

949, Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.

Sec. 51.071. TRANSFER OF PROBATION SUPERVISION BETWEEN COUNTIES:

COURTESY SUPERVISION PROHIBITED. Except as provided by Section

51.075, a juvenile court or juvenile probation department may not

engage in the practice of courtesy supervision of a child on

probation.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

949, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.

Sec. 51.072. TRANSFER OF PROBATION SUPERVISION BETWEEN COUNTIES:

INTERIM SUPERVISION. (a) In this section:

(1) "Receiving county" means the county to which a child on

probation has moved or intends to move.

(2) "Sending county" means the county that:

(A) originally placed the child on probation; or

(B) assumed permanent supervision of the child under an

inter-county transfer of probation supervision.

(b) When a child on probation moves or intends to move from one

county to another and intends to remain in the receiving county

for at least 60 days, the juvenile probation department of the

sending county shall request that the juvenile probation

department of the receiving county provide interim supervision of

the child. If the receiving county and the sending county are

member counties within a judicial district served by one juvenile

probation department, then a transfer of probation supervision is

not required.

(c) The juvenile probation department of the receiving county

may refuse the request to provide interim supervision only if:

(1) the residence of the child in the receiving county is in a

residential placement facility arranged by the sending county; or

(2) the residence of the child in the receiving county is in a

foster care placement arranged by the Department of Family and

Protective Services.

(d) The juvenile probation department of the sending county

shall initiate the request for interim supervision by electronic

communication to the probation officer designated as the

inter-county transfer officer for the juvenile probation

department of the receiving county or, in the absence of this

designation, to the chief juvenile probation officer.

(e) The juvenile probation department of the sending county

shall provide the juvenile probation department of the receiving

county with the following information in the request for interim

supervision initiated under Subsection (d):

(1) the child's name, sex, age, race, and date of birth;

(2) the name, address, date of birth, and social security or

driver's license number, and telephone number, if available, of

the person with whom the child proposes to reside or is residing

in the receiving county;

(3) the offense for which the child is on probation;

(4) the length of the child's probation term;

(5) a brief summary of the child's history of referrals;

(6) a brief statement of any special needs of the child;

(7) the name and telephone number of the child's school in the

receiving county, if available; and

(8) the reason for the child moving or intending to move to the

receiving county.

(f) Not later than 10 business days after a receiving county has

agreed to provide interim supervision of a child, the juvenile

probation department of the sending county shall provide the

juvenile probation department of the receiving county with a copy

of the following documents:

(1) the petition and the adjudication and disposition orders for

the child, including the child's thumbprint;

(2) the child's conditions of probation;

(3) the social history report for the child;

(4) any psychological or psychiatric reports concerning the

child;

(5) the Department of Public Safety CR 43J form or tracking

incident number concerning the child;

(6) any law enforcement incident reports concerning the offense

for which the child is on probation;

(7) any sex offender registration information concerning the

child;

(8) any juvenile probation department progress reports

concerning the child and any other pertinent documentation for

the child's probation officer;

(9) case plans concerning the child;

(10) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission standard assessment

tool results for the child;

(11) the computerized referral and case history for the child,

including case disposition;

(12) the child's birth certificate;

(13) the child's social security number or social security card,

if available;

(14) the name, address, and telephone number of the contact

person in the sending county's juvenile probation department;

(15) Title IV-E eligibility screening information for the child,

if available;

(16) the address in the sending county for forwarding funds

collected to which the sending county is entitled;

(17) any of the child's school or immunization records that the

juvenile probation department of the sending county possesses;

and

(18) any victim information concerning the case for which the

child is on probation.

(f-1) The inter-county transfer officers in the sending and

receiving counties shall agree on the official start date for the

period of interim supervision, which must begin no later than

three business days after the date the documents required under

Subsection (f) have been received and accepted by the receiving

county.

(g) The juvenile probation department of the receiving county

shall supervise the child under the probation conditions imposed

by the sending county and provide services similar to those

provided to a child placed on probation under the same conditions

in the receiving county. On request of the juvenile probation

department of the receiving county, the juvenile court of the

receiving county may modify the original probation conditions and

impose new conditions using the procedures in Section 54.05. The

juvenile court of the receiving county may not modify a financial

probation condition imposed by the juvenile court of the sending

county or the length of the child's probation term. The juvenile

court of the receiving county shall designate a cause number for

identifying the modification proceedings.

(h) The juvenile court of the sending county may revoke

probation for a violation of a condition imposed by the juvenile

court of the sending county only if the condition has not been

specifically modified or replaced by the juvenile court of the

receiving county. The juvenile court of the receiving county may

revoke probation for a violation of a condition of probation that

the juvenile court of the receiving county has modified or

imposed.

(i) If a child is reasonably believed to have violated a

condition of probation imposed by the juvenile court of the

sending county, the juvenile court of the sending or receiving

county may issue a directive to apprehend or detain the child in

a certified detention facility, as in other cases of probation

violation. In order to respond to a probation violation under

this subsection, the juvenile court of the receiving county may:

(1) modify the conditions of probation or extend the probation

term; or

(2) require that the juvenile probation department of the

sending county resume direct supervision for the child.

(j) On receiving a directive from the juvenile court of the

receiving county under Subsection (i)(2), the juvenile probation

department of the sending county shall arrange for the prompt

transportation of the child back to the sending county at the

expense of the sending county. The juvenile probation department

in the receiving county shall provide the sending county with

supporting written documentation of the incidents of violation of

probation on which the request to resume direct supervision is

based.

(k) The juvenile probation department of the receiving county is

entitled to any probation supervision fees collected from the

child or the child's parent while providing interim supervision

for the child. During the period of interim supervision, the

receiving county shall collect and distribute to the victim

monetary restitution payments in the manner specified by the

sending county. At the expiration of the period of interim

supervision, the receiving county shall collect and distribute

directly to the victim any remaining payments.

(l) The sending county is financially responsible for any

special treatment program or placement that the juvenile court of

the sending county requires as a condition of probation if the

child's family is financially unable to pay for the program or

placement.

(m) Except as provided by Subsection (n), a period of interim

supervision may not exceed 180 days. Permanent supervision

automatically transfers to the juvenile probation department of

the receiving county after the expiration of the period of

interim supervision. The juvenile probation department of the

receiving county may request permanent supervision from the

juvenile probation department of the sending county at any time

before the 180-day interim supervision period expires. After

signing and entry of an order of transfer of permanent

supervision by the sending county juvenile court, the juvenile

probation department shall, in accordance with Section 51.073(b),

promptly send the permanent supervision order and related

documents to the receiving county.

(m-1) If a child on interim supervision moves to another county

of residence or is otherwise no longer in the receiving county

before the expiration of 180 days, the receiving county shall

direct the sending county to resume supervision of the child.

(n) Notwithstanding Subsection (m), the period of interim

supervision of a child who is placed on probation under Section

54.04(q) does not expire until the child has satisfactorily

completed the greater of either 180 days or one-third of the term

of probation, including one-third of the term of any extension of

the probation term ordered under Section 54.05. Permanent

supervision automatically transfers to the probation department

of the receiving county after the expiration of the period of

interim supervision under this subsection. If the state elects

to initiate transfer proceedings under Section 54.051, the

juvenile court of the sending county may order transfer of the

permanent supervision before the expiration of the period of

interim supervision under this subsection.

(o) At least once every 90 days during the period of interim

supervision, the juvenile probation department of the receiving

county shall provide the juvenile probation department of the

sending county with a progress report of supervision concerning

the child.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

949, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

908, Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 51.073. TRANSFER OF PROBATION SUPERVISION BETWEEN COUNTIES:

PERMANENT SUPERVISION. (a) In this section:

(1) "Receiving county" means the county to which a child on

probation has moved or intends to move.

(2) "Sending county" means the county that:

(A) originally placed the child on probation; or

(B) assumed permanent supervision of the child under an

inter-county transfer of probation supervision.

(b) On transfer of permanent supervision of a child under

Section 51.072(m) or (n), the juvenile court of the sending

county shall order the juvenile probation department of the

sending county to provide the juvenile probation department of

the receiving county with the order of transfer. On receipt of

the order of transfer, the juvenile probation department of the

receiving county shall ensure that the order of transfer, the

petition, the order of adjudication, the order of disposition,

and the conditions of probation are filed with the clerk of the

juvenile court of the receiving county.

(c) The juvenile court of the receiving county shall require

that the child be brought before the court in order to impose new

or different conditions of probation than those originally

ordered by the sending county or ordered by the receiving county

during the period of interim supervision. The child shall be

represented by counsel as provided by Section 51.10.

(d) Once permanent supervision is transferred to the juvenile

probation department of the receiving county, the receiving

county is fully responsible for selecting and imposing conditions

of probation, providing supervision, modifying conditions of

probation, and revoking probation. The sending county has no

further jurisdiction over the child's case.

(d-1) On the final transfer of a case involving a child who has

been adjudicated as having committed an offense for which

registration is required under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal

Procedure, the receiving county shall have jurisdiction to

conduct a hearing under that chapter. This subsection does not

prohibit the receiving county juvenile court from considering the

written recommendations of the sending county juvenile court.

(e) This section does not affect the sending county's

jurisdiction over any new offense committed by the child in the

sending county.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

949, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

908, Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 51.074. TRANSFER OF PROBATION SUPERVISION BETWEEN COUNTIES:

DEFERRED PROSECUTION. (a) A juvenile court may transfer

interim supervision, but not permanent supervision, to the county

where a child on deferred prosecution resides.

(b) On an extension of a previous order of deferred prosecution

authorized under Section 53.03(j), the child shall remain on

interim supervision for an additional period not to exceed 180

days.

(c) On a violation of the conditions of the original deferred

prosecution agreement, the receiving county shall forward the

case to the sending county for prosecution or other action in the

manner provided by Sections 51.072(i) and (j), except that the

original conditions of deferred prosecution may not be modified

by the receiving county.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

949, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

908, Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 51.075. COLLABORATIVE SUPERVISION BETWEEN ADJOINING

COUNTIES. (a) If a child who is on probation in one county

spends substantial time in an adjoining county, including

residing, attending school, or working in the adjoining county,

the juvenile probation departments of the two counties may enter

into a collaborative supervision arrangement regarding the child.

(b) Under a collaborative supervision arrangement, the juvenile

probation department of the adjoining county may authorize a

probation officer for the county to provide supervision and other

services for the child as an agent of the juvenile probation

department of the county in which the child was placed on

probation. The probation officer providing supervision and other

services for the child in the adjoining county shall provide the

probation officer supervising the child in the county in which

the child was placed on probation with periodic oral, electronic,

or written reports concerning the child.

(c) The juvenile court of the county in which the child was

placed on probation retains sole authority to modify, amend,

extend, or revoke the child's probation.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

949, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.

Sec. 51.08. TRANSFER FROM CRIMINAL COURT. (a) If the defendant

in a criminal proceeding is a child who is charged with an

offense other than perjury, a traffic offense, a misdemeanor

punishable by fine only, or a violation of a penal ordinance of a

political subdivision, unless the child has been transferred to

criminal court under Section 54.02, the court exercising criminal

jurisdiction shall transfer the case to the juvenile court,

together with a copy of the accusatory pleading and other papers,

documents, and transcripts of testimony relating to the case, and

shall order that the child be taken to the place of detention

designated by the juvenile court, or shall release the child to

the custody of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, to be

brought before the juvenile court at a time designated by that

court.

(b) A court in which there is pending a complaint against a

child alleging a violation of a misdemeanor offense punishable by

fine only other than a traffic offense or a violation of a penal

ordinance of a political subdivision other than a traffic

offense:

(1) except as provided by Subsection (d), shall waive its

original jurisdiction and refer the child to juvenile court if

the child has previously been convicted of:

(A) two or more misdemeanors punishable by fine only other than

a traffic offense;

(B) two or more violations of a penal ordinance of a political

subdivision other than a traffic offense; or

(C) one or more of each of the types of misdemeanors described

in Paragraph (A) or (B); and

(2) may waive its original jurisdiction and refer the child to

juvenile court if the child:

(A) has not previously been convicted of a misdemeanor

punishable by fine only other than a traffic offense or a

violation of a penal ordinance of a political subdivision other

than a traffic offense; or

(B) has previously been convicted of fewer than two misdemeanors

punishable by fine only other than a traffic offense or two

violations of a penal ordinance of a political subdivision other

than a traffic offense.

(c) A court in which there is pending a complaint against a

child alleging a violation of a misdemeanor offense punishable by

fine only other than a traffic offense or a violation of a penal

ordinance of a political subdivision other than a traffic offense

shall notify the juvenile court of the county in which the court

is located of the pending complaint and shall furnish to the

juvenile court a copy of the final disposition of any matter for

which the court does not waive its original jurisdiction under

Subsection (b).

(d) A court that has implemented a juvenile case manager program

under Article 45.056, Code of Criminal Procedure, may, but is not

required to, waive its original jurisdiction under Subsection

(b)(1).

(e) A juvenile court may not refuse to accept the transfer of a

case brought under Section 25.094, Education Code, for a child

described by Subsection (b)(1) if a prosecuting attorney for the

court determines under Section 53.012 that the case is legally

sufficient under Section 53.01 for adjudication in juvenile

court.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1040, Sec. 21, eff.

Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1245, Sec. 2, eff. Sept.

1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 169, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

1991; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

650, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

311, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 51.09. WAIVER OF RIGHTS. Unless a contrary intent clearly

appears elsewhere in this title, any right granted to a child by

this title or by the constitution or laws of this state or the

United States may be waived in proceedings under this title if:

(1) the waiver is made by the child and the attorney for the

child;

(2) the child and the attorney waiving the right are informed of

and understand the right and the possible consequences of waiving

it;

(3) the waiver is voluntary; and

(4) the waiver is made in writing or in court proceedings that

are recorded.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2154, ch. 693, Sec. 9,

eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 84, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 64, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.

1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 429, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 557, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991;

Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 593, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts

1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 8, 9, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts

1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 51.095. ADMISSIBILITY OF A STATEMENT OF A CHILD. (a)

Notwithstanding Section 51.09, the statement of a child is

admissible in evidence in any future proceeding concerning the

matter about which the statement was given if:

(1) the statement is made in writing under a circumstance

described by Subsection (d) and:

(A) the statement shows that the child has at some time before

the making of the statement received from a magistrate a warning

that:

(i) the child may remain silent and not make any statement at

all and that any statement that the child makes may be used in

evidence against the child;

(ii) the child has the right to have an attorney present to

advise the child either prior to any questioning or during the

questioning;

(iii) if the child is unable to employ an attorney, the child

has the right to have an attorney appointed to counsel with the

child before or during any interviews with peace officers or

attorneys representing the state; and

(iv) the child has the right to terminate the interview at any

time;

(B) and:

(i) the statement must be signed in the presence of a magistrate

by the child with no law enforcement officer or prosecuting

attorney present, except that a magistrate may require a bailiff

or a law enforcement officer if a bailiff is not available to be

present if the magistrate determines that the presence of the

bailiff or law enforcement officer is necessary for the personal

safety of the magistrate or other court personnel, provided that

the bailiff or law enforcement officer may not carry a weapon in

the presence of the child; and

(ii) the magistrate must be fully convinced that the child

understands the nature and contents of the statement and that the

child is signing the same voluntarily, and if a statement is

taken, the magistrate must sign a written statement verifying the

foregoing requisites have been met;

(C) the child knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waives

these rights before and during the making of the statement and

signs the statement in the presence of a magistrate; and

(D) the magistrate certifies that the magistrate has examined

the child independent of any law enforcement officer or

prosecuting attorney, except as required to ensure the personal

safety of the magistrate or other court personnel, and has

determined that the child understands the nature and contents of

the statement and has knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily

waived these rights;

(2) the statement is made orally and the child makes a statement

of facts or circumstances that are found to be true and tend to

establish the child's guilt, such as the finding of secreted or

stolen property, or the instrument with which the child states

the offense was committed;

(3) the statement was res gestae of the delinquent conduct or

the conduct indicating a need for supervision or of the arrest;

(4) the statement is made:

(A) in open court at the child's adjudication hearing;

(B) before a grand jury considering a petition, under Section

53.045, that the child engaged in delinquent conduct; or

(C) at a preliminary hearing concerning the child held in

compliance with this code, other than at a detention hearing

under Section 54.01; or

(5) subject to Subsection (f), the statement is made orally

under a circumstance described by Subsection (d) and the

statement is recorded by an electronic recording device,

including a device that records images, and:

(A) before making the statement, the child is given the warning

described by Subdivision (1)(A) by a magistrate, the warning is a

part of the recording, and the child knowingly, intelligently,

and voluntarily waives each right stated in the warning;

(B) the recording device is capable of making an accurate

recording, the operator of the device is competent to use the

device, the recording is accurate, and the recording has not been

altered;

(C) each voice on the recording is identified; and

(D) not later than the 20th day before the date of the

proceeding, the attorney representing the child is given a

complete and accurate copy of each recording of the child made

under this subdivision.

(b) This section and Section 51.09 do not preclude the admission

of a statement made by the child if:

(1) the statement does not stem from interrogation of the child

under a circumstance described by Subsection (d); or

(2) without regard to whether the statement stems from

interrogation of the child under a circumstance described by

Subsection (d), the statement is voluntary and has a bearing on

the credibility of the child as a witness.

(c) An electronic recording of a child's statement made under

Subsection (a)(5) shall be preserved until all juvenile or

criminal matters relating to any conduct referred to in the

statement are final, including the exhaustion of all appeals, or

barred from prosecution.

(d) Subsections (a)(1) and (a)(5) apply to the statement of a

child made:

(1) while the child is in a detention facility or other place of

confinement;

(2) while the child is in the custody of an officer; or

(3) during or after the interrogation of the child by an officer

if the child is in the possession of the Department of Protective

and Regulatory Services and is suspected to have engaged in

conduct that violates a penal law of this state.

(e) A juvenile law referee or master may perform the duties

imposed on a magistrate under this section without the approval

of the juvenile court if the juvenile board of the county in

which the statement of the child is made has authorized a referee

or master to perform the duties of a magistrate under this

section.

(f) A magistrate who provides the warnings required by

Subsection (a)(5) for a recorded statement may at the time the

warnings are provided request by speaking on the recording that

the officer return the child and the recording to the magistrate

at the conclusion of the process of questioning. The magistrate

may then view the recording with the child or have the child view

the recording to enable the magistrate to determine whether the

child's statements were given voluntarily. The magistrate's

determination of voluntariness shall be reduced to writing and

signed and dated by the magistrate. If a magistrate uses the

procedure described by this subsection, a child's statement is

not admissible unless the magistrate determines that the

statement was given voluntarily.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1,

1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 982, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.

1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,

2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(29), eff. Sept.

1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

949, Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

908, Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 51.10. RIGHT TO ASSISTANCE OF ATTORNEY; COMPENSATION. (a)

A child may be represented by an attorney at every stage of

proceedings under this title, including:

(1) the detention hearing required by Section 54.01 of this

code;

(2) the hearing to consider transfer to criminal court required

by Section 54.02 of this code;

(3) the adjudication hearing required by Section 54.03 of this

code;

(4) the disposition hearing required by Section 54.04 of this

code;

(5) the hearing to modify disposition required by Section 54.05

of this code;

(6) hearings required by Chapter 55 of this code;

(7) habeas corpus proceedings challenging the legality of

detention resulting from action under this title; and

(8) proceedings in a court of civil appeals or the Texas Supreme

Court reviewing proceedings under this title.

(b) The child's right to representation by an attorney shall not

be waived in:

(1) a hearing to consider transfer to criminal court as required

by Section 54.02 of this code;

(2) an adjudication hearing as required by Section 54.03 of this

code;

(3) a disposition hearing as required by Section 54.04 of this

code;

(4) a hearing prior to commitment to the Texas Youth Commission

as a modified disposition in accordance with Section 54.05(f) of

this code; or

(5) hearings required by Chapter 55 of this code.

(c) If the child was not represented by an attorney at the

detention hearing required by Section 54.01 of this code and a

determination was made to detain the child, the child shall

immediately be entitled to representation by an attorney. The

court shall order the retention of an attorney according to

Subsection (d) or appoint an attorney according to Subsection

(f).

(d) The court shall order a child's parent or other person

responsible for support of the child to employ an attorney to

represent the child, if:

(1) the child is not represented by an attorney;

(2) after giving the appropriate parties an opportunity to be

heard, the court determines that the parent or other person

responsible for support of the child is financially able to

employ an attorney to represent the child; and

(3) the child's right to representation by an attorney:

(A) has not been waived under Section 51.09 of this code; or

(B) may not be waived under Subsection (b) of this section.

(e) The court may enforce orders under Subsection (d) by

proceedings under Section 54.07 or by appointing counsel and

ordering the parent or other person responsible for support of

the child to pay a reasonable attorney's fee set by the court.

The order may be enforced under Section 54.07.

(f) The court shall appoint an attorney to represent the

interest of a child entitled to representation by an attorney,

if:

(1) the child is not represented by an attorney;

(2) the court determines that the child's parent or other person

responsible for support of the child is financially unable to

employ an attorney to represent the child; and

(3) the child's right to representation by an attorney:

(A) has not been waived under Section 51.09 of this code; or

(B) may not be waived under Subsection (b) of this section.

(g) The juvenile court may appoint an attorney in any case in

which it deems representation necessary to protect the interests

of the child.

(h) Any attorney representing a child in proceedings under this

title is entitled to 10 days to prepare for any adjudication or

transfer hearing under this title.

(i) Except as provided in Subsection (d) of this section, an

attorney appointed under this section to represent the interests

of a child shall be paid from the general fund of the county in

which the proceedings were instituted according to the schedule

in Article 26.05 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, 1965.

For this purpose, a bona fide appeal to a court of civil appeals

or proceedings on the merits in the Texas Supreme Court are

considered the equivalent of a bona fide appeal to the Texas

Court of Criminal Appeals.

(j) The juvenile board of a county may make available to the

public the list of attorneys eligible for appointment to

represent children in proceedings under this title as provided in

the plan adopted under Section 51.102. The list of attorneys must

indicate the level of case for which each attorney is eligible

for appointment under Section 51.102(b)(2).

(k) Subject to Chapter 61, the juvenile court may order the

parent or other person responsible for support of the child to

reimburse the county for payments the county made to counsel

appointed to represent the child under Subsection (f) or (g). The

court may:

(1) order payment for each attorney who has represented the

child at any hearing, including a detention hearing,

discretionary transfer hearing, adjudication hearing, disposition

hearing, or modification of disposition hearing;

(2) include amounts paid to or on behalf of the attorney by the

county for preparation time and investigative and expert witness

costs; and

(3) require full or partial reimbursement to the county.

(l) The court may not order payments under Subsection (k) that

exceed the financial ability of the parent or other person

responsible for support of the child to meet the payment schedule

ordered by the court.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1973. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 161, ch. 44, art. 1,

Sec. 2, eff. April 26, 1983; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec.

11, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 8,

eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 4, eff.

Sept. 1, 2003.

Sec. 51.101. APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY AND CONTINUATION OF

REPRESENTATION. (a) If an attorney is appointed at the initial

detention hearing and the child is detained, the attorney shall

continue to represent the child until the case is terminated, the

family retains an attorney, or a new attorney is appointed by the

juvenile court. Release of the child from detention does not

terminate the attorney's representation.

(b) If there is an initial detention hearing without an attorney

and the child is detained, the attorney appointed under Section

51.10(c) shall continue to represent the child until the case is

terminated, the family retains an attorney, or a new attorney is

appointed by the juvenile court. Release of the child from

detention does not terminate the attorney's representation.

(c) The juvenile court shall determine, on the filing of a

petition, whether the child's family is indigent if:

(1) the child is released by intake;

(2) the child is released at the initial detention hearing; or

(3) the case was referred to the court without the child in

custody.

(d) A juvenile court that makes a finding of indigence under

Subsection (c) shall appoint an attorney to represent the child

on or before the fifth working day after the date the petition

for adjudication or discretionary transfer hearing was served on

the child. An attorney appointed under this subsection shall

continue to represent the child until the case is terminated, the

family retains an attorney, or a new attorney is appointed by the

juvenile court.

(e) The juvenile court shall determine whether the child's

family is indigent if a motion or petition is filed under Section

54.05 seeking to modify disposition by committing the child to

the Texas Youth Commission or placing the child in a secure

correctional facility. A court that makes a finding of indigence

shall appoint an attorney to represent the child on or before the

fifth working day after the date the petition or motion has been

filed. An attorney appointed under this subsection shall continue

to represent the child until the court rules on the motion or

petition, the family retains an attorney, or a new attorney is

appointed.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 51.102. APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL PLAN. (a) The juvenile

board in each county shall adopt a plan that:

(1) specifies the qualifications necessary for an attorney to be

included on an appointment list from which attorneys are

appointed to represent children in proceedings under this title;

and

(2) establishes the procedures for:

(A) including attorneys on the appointment list and removing

attorneys from the list; and

(B) appointing attorneys from the appointment list to individual

cases.

(b) A plan adopted under Subsection (a) must:

(1) to the extent practicable, comply with the requirements of

Article 26.04, Code of Criminal Procedure, except that:

(A) the income and assets of the child's parent or other person

responsible for the child's support must be used in determining

whether the child is indigent; and

(B) any alternative plan for appointing counsel is established

by the juvenile board in the county; and

(2) recognize the differences in qualifications and experience

necessary for appointments to cases in which:

(A) the allegation is:

(i) conduct indicating a need for supervision or delinquent

conduct, and commitment to the Texas Youth Commission is not an

authorized disposition; or

(ii) delinquent conduct, and commitment to the Texas Youth

Commission without a determinate sentence is an authorized

disposition; or

(B) determinate sentence proceedings have been initiated or

proceedings for discretionary tran