Juvenile Defense

Juvenile Defense Attorney for Frisco, Collin County, and Denton County Families

When a child is arrested or referred to juvenile court, parents often have more questions than answers. In Texas, children who are accused of breaking the law between the ages of 10 and 16 are handled in the juvenile justice system, which is separate from adult criminal court. The juvenile system focuses more on rehabilitation, but the consequences are real: detention, probation, school discipline, and in serious cases, commitment to a state facility or transfer to adult court.

The Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, has represented people accused of crimes in Collin and Denton County since 2015. Attorney Al Rowland is a former police officer and prosecutor, and he understands how juvenile cases are investigated and how much the early decisions matter. If your child has been arrested or contacted by police in Frisco, Prosper, McKinney, Plano, or anywhere in North Texas, call (469) 895-6555 for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Your Child Needs a Juvenile Defense Lawyer

Juvenile cases move quickly. If your child is held in detention, Texas law requires a detention hearing within a short time, usually within two working days, and the judge decides whether your child comes home. Many juvenile cases also start at school, where administrators and school resource officers may question students before parents are called. What a child says in those first conversations can shape the entire case.

A juvenile defense lawyer can:

Represent your child at the detention hearing and work to get them home
Stop further questioning and protect your child’s rights
Work toward deferred prosecution or other alternatives that keep the case from going forward
Coordinate with the school on discipline issues connected to the case
Fight the allegations in court when that is the right choice
Help protect your child’s record so a mistake doesn’t follow them into adulthood

Common Juvenile Charges in Collin and Denton County

Juvenile cases can involve almost any offense, but we regularly see these charges involving students and young people in North Texas:

THC vape possession: In Texas, THC oil and vape cartridges are treated as a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, not as marijuana. Possessing even one cartridge with less than a gram can be felony-level conduct. Since 2023, Texas law also requires schools to place students caught vaping on or near campus in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP).
Marijuana possession: Often handled differently than THC concentrates, but still serious for a student. Learn more about marijuana charges.
Terroristic threat: Including threats made online or about a school, even when meant as a joke. See our terroristic threat page.
Assault: Fights at school, at games, or in the community. See our assault defense page.
Theft and shoplifting: Including shoplifting at local stores and malls. See our theft defense page.
Sex offenses and online conduct: Including allegations involving other students or sharing images.

What Can Happen in a Texas Juvenile Case

Juvenile courts have a range of options, from informal resolutions to secure placement. Possible outcomes include:

Dismissal or no further action
Deferred prosecution: A period of supervision, often several months, after which the case is dismissed if your child completes the conditions
Probation: Supervision at home or in a placement, with conditions such as school attendance, counseling, and curfews
Commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in serious cases
Certification as an adult: For certain serious felonies, prosecutors can ask the court to transfer an older juvenile to adult criminal court

Juvenile records are generally more protected than adult records, and many can be sealed later. But sealing isn’t automatic in every case, and school discipline, college applications, and some background checks can still be affected. The best way to protect your child’s future is to address the case well from the start.

How We Defend Juvenile Cases

Every juvenile case is different, and our approach depends on the facts and on what is best for your child. Depending on the case, our defense may focus on:

Unlawful searches: School searches have limits, and searches by police are held to stricter standards. Evidence from an improper search may be excluded.
Statements: Texas has special rules for when and how police can question a juvenile in custody. Statements taken without following them may not be usable.
Lab testing: In drug cases, the State must prove what a substance actually is, which usually requires lab testing.
Intent and context: Especially in threat cases, the circumstances of what was said, and why, matter.
Alternatives to prosecution: Counseling, education programs, and deferred prosecution can often resolve a case without a formal finding.

Contact a Frisco Juvenile Defense Lawyer Now

If your child has been arrested, detained, or contacted by police or school officials about a possible offense, don’t wait. Contact the Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, at (469) 895-6555 or online for a free, confidential consultation. We represent juveniles and their families throughout Collin County and Denton County.

Juvenile Defense