Sec. 54.0325. DEFERRAL OF ADJUDICATION AND DISMISSAL OF CERTAIN CASES ON COMPLETION OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE COURT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:
(1) "Dating violence" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.0021.
(2) "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.004.
(3) "Teen dating violence court program" means a program that includes:
(A) a 12-week program designed to educate children who engage in dating violence and encourage them to refrain from engaging in that conduct;
(B) a dedicated teen victim advocate who assists teen victims by offering referrals to additional services, providing counseling and safety planning, and explaining the juvenile justice system;
(C) a court-employed resource coordinator to monitor children's compliance with the 12-week program;
(D) one judge who presides over all of the cases in the jurisdiction that qualify for the program; and
(E) an attorney in the district attorney's office or the county attorney's office who is assigned to the program.
(b) On the recommendation of the prosecuting attorney, the juvenile court may defer adjudication proceedings under Section 54.03 for not more than 180 days if the child is a first offender who is alleged to have engaged in conduct:
(1) that violated a penal law of this state of the grade of misdemeanor; and
(2) involving dating violence.
(c) For the purposes of Subsection (b), a first offender is a child who has not previously been referred to juvenile court for allegedly engaging in conduct constituting dating violence, family violence, or an assault.
(d) Before implementation, the teen dating violence court program must be approved by:
(1) the court; and
(2) the commissioners court of the county.
(e) A child for whom adjudication proceedings are deferred under Subsection (b) shall:
(1) complete the teen dating violence court program not later than the last day of the deferral period; and
(2) appear in court once a month for monitoring purposes.
(f) The court shall dismiss the case with prejudice at the time the child presents satisfactory evidence that the child has successfully completed the teen dating violence court program.
(g) Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 472 (S.B. 41), Sec. 5.01(b)(2), eff. January 1, 2022.
(h) Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 472 (S.B. 41), Sec. 5.01(b)(2), eff. January 1, 2022.
(i) The court shall track the number of children ordered to participate in the teen dating violence court program, the percentage of victims meeting with the teen victim advocate, and the compliance rate of the children ordered to participate in the program.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1299 (H.B. 2496), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 472 (S.B. 41), Sec. 5.01(b)(2), eff. January 1, 2022.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 3 - Juvenile Justice Code
Chapter 54 - Judicial Proceedings
Section 54.01. Detention Hearing
Section 54.011. Detention Hearings for Status Offenders and Nonoffenders; Penalty
Section 54.012. Interactive Video Recording of Detention Hearing
Section 54.02. Waiver of Jurisdiction and Discretionary Transfer to Criminal Court
Section 54.03. Adjudication Hearing
Section 54.031. Hearsay Statement of Certain Abuse Victims
Section 54.033. Sexually Transmitted Disease, Aids, and HIV Testing
Section 54.034. Limited Right to Appeal: Warning
Section 54.04. Disposition Hearing
Section 54.0401. Community-Based Programs
Section 54.04012. Trafficked Persons Program
Section 54.04013. Special Commitment to Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Section 54.0405. Child Placed on Probation for Conduct Constituting Sexual Offense
Section 54.0406. Child Placed on Probation for Conduct Involving a Handgun
Section 54.0407. Cruelty to Animals: Counseling Required
Section 54.0409. DNA Sample Required on Certain Felony Adjudications
Section 54.041. Orders Affecting Parents and Others
Section 54.042. License Suspension
Section 54.043. Monitoring School Attendance
Section 54.044. Community Service
Section 54.045. Admission of Unadjudicated Conduct
Section 54.046. Conditions of Probation for Damaging Property With Graffiti
Section 54.047. Alcohol or Drug Related Offense
Section 54.0481. Restitution for Damaging Property With Graffiti
Section 54.0482. Treatment of Restitution Payments
Section 54.049. Conditions of Probation for Desecrating a Cemetery or Abusing a Corpse
Section 54.0491. Gang-Related Conduct
Section 54.05. Hearing to Modify Disposition
Section 54.051. Transfer of Determinate Sentence Probation to Appropriate District Court
Section 54.052. Credit for Time Spent in Detention Facility for Child With Determinate Sentence
Section 54.06. Judgments for Support
Section 54.061. Payment of Probation Fees
Section 54.07. Enforcement of Order
Section 54.08. Public Access to Court Hearings
Section 54.09. Recording of Proceedings