Houston Juvenile Defense Lawyer
A mistake at a young age shouldn’t define a lifetime. Sara Roque fights to protect your child’s future — keeping records sealed, cases dismissed, and opportunities open.
School-related charges
Fights, threats, drug possession on campus — school arrests can have long-lasting consequences on college admissions and careers.
Drug and alcohol
Underage possession, consumption, or distribution charges. Sara fights for diversion, dismissal, or expunction eligibility.
Weapons charges
Possession of firearms or other weapons by a juvenile carries serious consequences — Sara acts immediately to protect your child.
Auto theft / joyriding
What teens view as a prank, prosecutors treat seriously. Sara navigates the juvenile justice system to minimize consequences.
Cybercrime / sexting
Online threats, harassment, and sexting charges involving minors have severe consequences. Sara handles these sensitive cases with discretion.
Transfer to adult court
For serious offenses, the State may seek to try your child as an adult. Sara fights these transfer hearings with everything available.
JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
How Juvenile Cases Work in Texas
The Texas juvenile justice system is designed to rehabilitate, not just punish. Sara uses this system’s structure to pursue the best possible outcome — ideally one that protects your child’s record entirely.
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Immediate release & family notification
Sara works to get your child released to family custody immediately and stops any interrogation — juveniles have the right to have a parent or attorney present.
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Diversion and informal adjustment
Many first-time juvenile offenses can be resolved through informal adjustment — no court record, no formal charges.
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Deferred prosecution
Formal but avoids adjudication — your child completes conditions and charges are dismissed. Sara pursues this where eligible.
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Fight the charges
When necessary, Sara vigorously defends the case, challenging evidence and witness credibility in juvenile court.
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Seal the record
After successful resolution, Sara pursues immediate record sealing to protect your child’s future college and employment prospects.
RECORD PROTECTION
Sealing Juvenile Records in Texas
- 🎓 College applications — juvenile records can appear on background checks
- 💼 Employment — “ban the box” laws don’t always cover juvenile records
- 🏠 Housing — landlords may access juvenile records in some circumstances
- 🔫 Gun rights — certain juvenile adjudications affect adult firearms rights
- ✈️ Immigration — juvenile adjudications can affect immigration status
No attorney fees until we win. If we don’t win, you pay nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Texas, juveniles 14 and older can be transferred to adult court for serious felonies (capital murder, first-degree felonies). The transfer is not automatic — Sara fights transfer hearings to keep cases in juvenile court.
Yes. Juveniles have the right to remain silent and to have an attorney present during questioning. Police are required to notify parents before interrogating a juvenile. If rights were violated, Sara moves to suppress any statements.
It depends on the severity and whether it was sealed. Many colleges ask about criminal history. Sara pursues record sealing aggressively to protect college prospects.
Generally 17 — offenses committed before age 17 are handled in juvenile court (unless transferred to adult court). Offenses at 17 are handled in adult court.
Juvenile records can be sealed (not fully expunged in most cases). Sealed records are not accessible to the public but may still be available to certain law enforcement agencies. Sara explains exactly what protection applies.
Remain calm, don’t allow your child to answer questions, and call Sara immediately at (281) 727-9441. The first hours are critical. You have the right to be present during questioning.
Yes — probation is the most common outcome in Texas juvenile cases. Sara also pursues diversion programs that avoid formal adjudication entirely.
Absolutely. Sara investigates all evidence, challenges witness credibility, and presents your child’s side forcefully. Innocence matters — and Sara fights to prove it.
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