San Antonio Juvenile Lawyer

Texas Lawyers Protecting Minors' Rights

Childhood is a vulnerable stage of life, and when a child is accused of illegal activity, he or she needs an advocate to provide guidance through the often confusing and frightening juvenile law process.

At Goldstein, Goldstein & Hilley in San Antonio, Texas, we have extensive experience helping children and their parents understand and protect their rights within the juvenile justice system. Contact us to discuss the accusations against you or your child. We do not charge for initial phone consultations.

Your Advocate at Every Step in the Juvenile Process

All accusations against minors under 18 for illegal offenses are initiated in the county juvenile court. The juvenile law system recognizes the differences between children and adults by focusing more attention on the well-being and rehabilitation of the minor defendant. There is also no jury in juvenile court.

There are several steps we may be able to take to avoid punishments such as juvenile detention for you or your child. These include deferred prosecution; a voluntary period of probation focused on rehabilitation.

We represent minors at detention hearings, trials and appeals held under Texas juvenile law. For people who have been convicted of juvenile offenses, we can pursue record sealing so their convictions do not come back to haunt them after they have reached adulthood.

Fighting Efforts to Try Children as Adults

If the state wishes to try a child as an adult, it will initiate certification proceedings in the juvenile court. Once a case is certified as an adult criminal matter, the interests of the minor defendant will no longer be given as much prominence in the court's decisions as would be the case under juvenile law.

Our attorneys will help you oppose the prosecution's efforts to try a child as an adult. Contact us to discuss your case with an experienced juvenile defense lawyer.