L and L Law Group defends Texas juvenile cases — detention hearings, certification, disposition, sealing.
L and L Law Group defends Texas juvenile cases — detention hearings, certification, disposition, sealing. Family Code Title 3 expertise across DFW. Free 24/7. (214) 466-1398.
L and L Law Group is a Frisco-based criminal defense firm. Reggie London prosecuted in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office before joining the defense bar; Njeri London is the firm's managing attorney. Together they have defended thousands of cases across Dallas, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, and the surrounding DFW counties. We answer the phone at any hour because that is when most cases need defense work.
“A juvenile case is about the next ten years of a child's life, not the next two months of a court schedule. The detention-hearing release, the §54.02 certification fight, the disposition under §54.04, and the §58.253 sealing all decide the trajectory.”
“The juvenile system is supposed to be rehabilitative; the practice often is not. The right defense work makes the difference between a sealed record at 18 and a TJJD commitment that follows a kid for a decade.”
This page was written and reviewed by Njeri London, State Bar of Texas No. 24043266, and Reggie London, State Bar of Texas No. 24043514. Last reviewed: April 2026.
Texas juvenile court covers ages 10 through 16 under Family Code §51.02. Texas treats 17-year-olds as adults — a key difference from federal law and most other states. Most juvenile records seal automatically at age 18 or 19 under §58.253.
The Family Code §54.01 detention hearing must occur within 2 business days of detention (1 business day if detained Friday or Saturday). The hearing decides whether the child remains in custody pending adjudication. Strong family supervision, school records, IEP documentation, and community ties drive release at this hearing.
Detained juveniles face significantly worse outcomes statistically than released juveniles, regardless of the underlying charges. Release at the detention hearing also opens disposition options that custody forecloses. Our practice prepares for the detention hearing in the first 24 hours of engagement.
Under Family Code §54.02, juvenile cases involving serious felonies can be transferred to adult court for children 14+ (capital, aggravated controlled substance, first-degree) or 15+ (any felony). Certification removes the case from the rehabilitative juvenile system entirely and places the child in adult criminal court with adult consequences.
Opposing certification requires expert mental-health evaluation, social history, and rehabilitation evidence. The hearing is evidentiary; the prosecution carries the burden but the defense must affirmatively present rehabilitation evidence. This is among the most consequential hearings in any juvenile case.
Texas juvenile records are confidential during the case but seal only after specific events. Family Code §58.253 automatic sealing applies at age 18 (most cases) or 19 (felony adjudications). Sealing is automatic but agency follow-through is uneven; we verify compliance for clients exiting the system.
Juvenile adjudications are not technically convictions but can be used as enhancements in adult court for certain offenses, can affect college admissions, military enlistment, and certain professional licensing. The right defense outcome at disposition is what makes the eventual sealing meaningful.
Family Code §54.01 requires the detention hearing within 2 business days. We assemble character letters, school records, IEP documentation, and supervised-release plans on day one.
We pursue full discovery under the Family Code, identify witnesses, and review school disciplinary records. Many cases originate in school resource officer encounters with separate constitutional concerns.
For serious felony cases, we oppose §54.02 certification to adult court. Mental-health evaluations, social history, and rehabilitation evidence drive the defense.
Probation, deferred prosecution, intensive-supervision, specialized programs. Disposition under §54.04 considers placement alternatives extensively. Our job is to prevent commitment.
Most juvenile cases qualify for automatic sealing under §58.253 at age 18 or 19. We confirm sealing has actually occurred and assist with any post-disposition compliance.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★“My teenager faced a serious charge after a school fight. They opposed certification, got him released to my supervision, and the case ended in deferred prosecution. He just graduated.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★“Juvenile drug charge in Collin County. They made sure his school records, IEP, and counselors all came in at disposition. He got probation, no commitment, and his record sealed at 18.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★“Online-solicitation sting case. The juvenile court took the case and they negotiated entry into a specialized program. He completed it, the case dismissed, and his future is intact.”
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts and applicable law.
Under Texas Family Code §51.02, juvenile court has jurisdiction over children ages 10 through 16 who engage in delinquent conduct. Texas treats 17-year-olds as adults for criminal purposes — a key difference from federal law and most other states.
Juvenile cases are technically civil under the Family Code, focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Records are confidential and may automatically seal at age 18 or 19. Dispositions include probation, deferred prosecution, placement, and TJJD commitment, but not adult criminal conviction (unless certified).
Under Texas Family Code §54.02, juvenile cases involving serious felonies (capital, aggravated controlled substance, first-degree) can be transferred to adult court for children 14+; broader felonies for children 15+. Certification is the worst possible juvenile outcome.
A §54.01 detention hearing occurs within 2 business days of detention (1 business day if Friday or Saturday). The hearing decides whether the child remains in custody pending adjudication. Strong family supervision, school records, and community ties drive release at this hearing.
Most juvenile records seal automatically at age 18 (most cases) or 19 (felony adjudications) under Family Code §58.253. Sealing is automatic but agency follow-through is uneven; we verify compliance after sealing.
Yes, for adjudicated felony delinquent conduct. Texas Juvenile Justice Department commitment is the most serious juvenile disposition and is reserved for the most serious cases. Disposition under §54.04 considers placement alternatives extensively.
Yes. Family Code requires parents to attend hearings; failure to attend can result in contempt findings. Beyond the requirement, both parents in attendance demonstrates supervision capacity for detention-hearing release and disposition decisions.
Under Family Code §53.03, deferred prosecution allows the prosecutor to suspend filing in exchange for compliance with conditions (treatment, restitution, counseling). Successful completion ends the case without filing. Available for many qualifying first-time offenses.
For certain juvenile sex-offense adjudications. Registration under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 62 has specific juvenile provisions; some cases qualify for deregistration petitions later. Avoiding the registration trigger is the central defense goal in juvenile sex-offense cases.
Juvenile cases typically move faster than adult cases. Detention-track cases reach adjudication within 2 to 4 months; non-detention cases within 4 to 8 months. Certification cases extend the timeline significantly.
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This website is for general information purposes only and constitutes attorney advertising under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice. This information does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.
L and L Law Group, PLLC attorneys are licensed in Texas. Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266) is the attorney responsible for the content of this page. Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514). None of the attorneys at L and L Law Group, PLLC are Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization unless specifically and separately stated.
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