Anyone between the ages of 10 and 16 are considered juveniles in the state of Texas, but that doesn’t mean they receive “free passes” when it comes to committing sexual offenses against other juveniles.
While juvenile sex offense cases will be tried in a juvenile court, this doesn’t mean that the consequences are not severe for the crimes. Juveniles can receive anything from community service hours to weeks or years in juvenile detention facilities.
In addition, longer sentences can be carried out in a state or federal prison after a juvenile offender comes of age.
Additionally, if a juvenile commits a sex offense, he or she becomes an “adjudicated delinquent” and may be forced to register as a sex offender in Texas.
Continue reading to learn more about juvenile sex offense charges and consequences in Texas.