Texas Statutes
Chapter 51 - General Provisions
Section 51.03. Delinquent Conduct; Conduct Indicating a Need for Supervision

Sec. 51.03. DELINQUENT CONDUCT; CONDUCT INDICATING A NEED FOR SUPERVISION. (a) Delinquent conduct is:
(1) conduct, other than a traffic offense, that violates a penal law of this state or of the United States punishable by imprisonment or by confinement in jail;
(2) conduct that violates a lawful order of a court under circumstances that would constitute contempt of that court in:
(A) a justice or municipal court;
(B) a county court for conduct punishable only by a fine; or
(C) a truancy court;
(3) conduct that violates Section 49.04, 49.05, 49.06, 49.07, or 49.08, Penal Code; or
(4) conduct that violates Section 106.041, Alcoholic Beverage Code, relating to driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor (third or subsequent offense).
(b) Conduct indicating a need for supervision is:
(1) subject to Subsection (f), conduct, other than a traffic offense, that violates:
(A) the penal laws of this state of the grade of misdemeanor that are punishable by fine only; or
(B) the penal ordinances of any political subdivision of this state;
(2) the voluntary absence of a child from the child's home without the consent of the child's parent or guardian for a substantial length of time or without intent to return;
(3) conduct prohibited by city ordinance or by state law involving the inhalation of the fumes or vapors of paint and other protective coatings or glue and other adhesives and the volatile chemicals itemized in Section 485.001, Health and Safety Code;
(4) an act that violates a school district's previously communicated written standards of student conduct for which the child has been expelled under Section 37.007(c), Education Code;
(5) notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), conduct described by Section 43.02 or 43.021, Penal Code;
(6) notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), conduct that violates Section 43.261, Penal Code; or
(7) notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), conduct that violates Section 42.0601, Penal Code, if the child has not previously been adjudicated as having engaged in conduct violating that section.
(c) Nothing in this title prevents criminal proceedings against a child for perjury.
(d) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 41(3), eff. September 1, 2015.
(e) For the purposes of Subsection (b)(2), "child" does not include a person who is married, divorced, or widowed.
(e-1) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 41(3), eff. September 1, 2015.
(f) Conduct described under Subsection (b)(1) does not constitute conduct indicating a need for supervision unless the child has been referred to the juvenile court under Section 51.08(b).
(g) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 41(3), eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2153, ch. 693, Sec. 2 to 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 906, ch. 340, Sec. 1, eff. June 6, 1977; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 511, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 924, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 955, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1040, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1099, Sec. 48, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1100, Sec. 3.02, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1245, Sec. 1, 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 284(35), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 7.02, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 169, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 46, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 14.30, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 6.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1013, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1015, Sec. 15, eff. June 19, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1514, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 949 (H.B. 1575), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (H.B. 2884), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 311 (H.B. 558), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1098 (S.B. 1489), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1150 (H.B. 2015), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1322 (S.B. 407), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 7.001, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1299 (H.B. 2862), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 41(3), eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944 (S.B. 206), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1273 (S.B. 825), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 7.002, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 685 (H.B. 29), Sec. 21, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 807 (H.B. 1540), Sec. 38, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 945 (S.B. 1056), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2021.

Structure Texas Statutes

Texas Statutes

Family Code

Title 3 - Juvenile Justice Code

Chapter 51 - General Provisions

Section 51.01. Purpose and Interpretation

Section 51.02. Definitions

Section 51.03. Delinquent Conduct; Conduct Indicating a Need for Supervision

Section 51.031. Habitual Felony Conduct

Section 51.04. Jurisdiction

Section 51.041. Jurisdiction After Appeal

Section 51.0411. Jurisdiction for Transfer or Release Hearing

Section 51.0412. Jurisdiction Over Incomplete Proceedings

Section 51.0413. Jurisdiction Over and Transfer of Combination of Proceedings

Section 51.0414. Discretionary Transfer to Combine Proceedings

Section 51.042. Objection to Jurisdiction Because of Age of the Child

Section 51.045. Juries in County Courts at Law

Section 51.05. Court Sessions and Facilities

Section 51.06. Venue

Section 51.07. Transfer to Another County for Disposition

Section 51.071. Transfer of Probation Supervision Between Counties: Courtesy Supervision Prohibited

Section 51.072. Transfer of Probation Supervision Between Counties: Interim Supervision

Section 51.073. Transfer of Probation Supervision Between Counties: Permanent Supervision

Section 51.074. Transfer of Probation Supervision Between Counties: Deferred Prosecution

Section 51.075. Collaborative Supervision Between Adjoining Counties

Section 51.08. Transfer From Criminal Court

Section 51.09. Waiver of Rights

Section 51.095. Admissibility of a Statement of a Child

Section 51.10. Right to Assistance of Attorney; Compensation

Section 51.101. Appointment of Attorney and Continuation of Representation

Section 51.102. Appointment of Counsel Plan

Section 51.11. Guardian Ad Litem

Section 51.115. Attendance at Hearing: Parent or Other Guardian

Section 51.116. Right to Reemployment

Section 51.12. Place and Conditions of Detention

Section 51.125. Post-Adjudication Correctional Facilities

Section 51.126. Nonsecure Correctional Facilities

Section 51.13. Effect of Adjudication or Disposition

Section 51.151. Polygraph Examination

Section 51.17. Procedure and Evidence

Section 51.18. Election Between Juvenile Court and Alternate Juvenile Court

Section 51.19. Limitation Periods

Section 51.20. Physical or Mental Examination

Section 51.21. Mental Health Screening and Referral