I Have Been Charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of Minor in Texas. What Does That Mean?

 Posted on March 17,2022 in Criminal Defense

When mentally competent adults commit crimes in Texas, they are charged and tried as adults with the expectation that they understood the implications of their behavior when they committed the crime. But juvenile crimes are treated differently, in large part because a minor’s brain is still developing and the connection between an action and its consequence may not be clear. 

So, when an adult allows, helps, or encourages a juvenile to break the law, Texas takes this very seriously. The adult can be charged not only with breaking the law, but with “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” According to Texas law, a person can be held responsible for an offense when the offense was committed by another person if they are criminally responsible for helping that person commit the offense. If you have been charged with contributing to juvenile delinquency, the consequences could be serious and it is important to have a competent criminal defense team on your side. 

What Could Be Considered Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor? 

The actions that could constitute contributing to the delinquency of a minor can vary in their seriousness as well as in their punishments. For example, if a parent willingly keeps a child out of school, allowing the child to be habitually truant, the parent may be required to participate in counseling, classes, or community service. But if a parent allows a child to use illegal drugs, or if a parent is repeatedly charged and convicted with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, they may be hit with felony charges. 

If the child in question is your own child, you may face additional consequences in the form of loss of access to your child. Because you are the parent and you may feel you know what is best for your child, you may be tempted to not take the charges seriously, but a Texas court could feel very differently - especially if your actions caused a child to suffer injury or impairment. It is important to have the help of a criminal defense attorney who can offer legal guidance and a vigorous defense. 

Meet with a Plano, TX Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with contributing to juvenile delinquency, it is important to take this seriously and get the help of an experienced Plano criminal defense attorney. At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., we advocate passionately for our clients’ constitutional rights and have helped past clients get their charges reduced or dropped completely. Call us today at 214-544-0061 and schedule your free initial consultation. 

Sources: 

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.7.htm#7.02 

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.65.htm