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Minors

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Minors

All defendants 16 years of age or younger who have cases in this court are required to appear before the judge with a parent or legal guardian on the day and time listed on your summons; arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled arraignment, to allow time to check in with the clerk at the front window. On alcohol-related charges, anyone from 17-20 years of age must appear in person within 10 business days of receiving their citation.

Court hours: Monday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

    Right To An Expunction
    Expunction fee is $30, or Under Chapter 55 is $100.
    (Expunction Petitions are located on the main Municipal Court page)

    Alcohol Beverage Code Cases
    For violations under the Alcohol Beverage Code (alcohol cases in which the defendant is a minor, under the age of 21), the defendant can receive an expunction when the defendant is 21 and the case is dismissed or the conviction is complete. The cost is $30.

    All Other Non-Traffic Cases
    For all other non-traffic cases when the case is dismissed by deferred disposition, and six months have passed since the date of the arrest or citation, the defendant can receive an expunction with a filing fee of $100 under Chapter 55 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

    Juveniles
    Article 45.0216, C.C.P. provides that a child who is at least 10 years of age and under age 17 and has only been convicted of one fine-only offense described in Section 8.07 (a)(4) and (5) of the Penal Code, may apply to the court in which he or she was convicted, to have the conviction expunged. Section 8.07, P.C. is that the statute that provides for the age affecting criminal responsibility. Subsections 8.07(a) (4) and (5) include penal ordinance offenses and fine-only Penal Code offenses. The request must be in writing and made under oath. It must contain a statement that the person was not convicted while a child of any offense described by Subsections 8.07(a)(4) or (5), P.C. other than the offense the person seeks to have expunged. If the court finds that the person was not convicted of any other offense described by those subsections while a child, the court shall order the conviction, together with the complaint, verdict, sentence, prosecutorial and law enforcement records, and any other documents relating to the offense expunged.

    Health and Safety Code
    Individuals convicted of a tobacco offense may apply to the court to have the conviction expunged.

Teen Court


How It Works | Community Service | Volunteers


Teen Court is a partnership between the teen, the parents, and the court. It is not simply a way to avoid the standard fine and make sure teen offenders do not get a criminal record. Teen Court is an option that must be requested by the teen and their parent because they believe that by being brought before a jury of their peers, accepting responsibility for the offense, and fulfilling the sentence, the teen will learn something that will help them to change their behavior.

A parent is required to attend the court hearing with the teen and is questioned as well. Most of the time the parent will be asked about their relationship with their teen and about discipline measures that have been taken. Parents should be willing to answer questions about these relevant facts. If you are not willing to participate in this manner, then Teen Court should NOT be sought as an option.

This is a real court of law, presided over by a licensed attorney and sanctioned by the State of Texas. Its volunteer jurors, and court officers, although Jr. High and High School students, take their responsibilities seriously and work very professionally to come to a sentence that will encourage the teen to change their behavior. Teen Court is a learning environment for defendant, parent, and court officers alike.

If you understand this commitment and are willing to accept the responsibilities that go with it, we invite you to seek Teen Court and we think your teen can benefit from this experience.



How It Works

A parent is required to attend the court hearing with the teen and is questioned as well. Most of the time the parent will be asked about their relationship with their teen and about discipline measures that have been taken. Parents should be willing to answer questions about these relevant facts. If you are not willing to participate in this manner, then Teen Court should NOT be sought as an option.

  1. Teens who appear before the Municipal Court Judge or Justice of the Peace in College Station may request Teen Court as an alternative sentence
  2. Must plead GUILTY OR NO CONTEST to their offense and their parents agree to abide by the Teen Court guidelines
  3. Teen Court sentencing consists of a designated number of community service hours, Teen Court jury service, apology to the victim, and in some instances educational courses or counseling
  4. Those who complete the punishment phase will have the offense dismissed from their record and will avoid paying the standard fine
  5. Those who do not complete their punishment must pay the fine and costs as set by the judge
    Dress and Behavior
    The courtroom is a formal and serious place, commanding respect from all who participate in the proceedings. The following rules are to be observed:

    NO caps or hats
    NO tank tops, midriff or halter tops
    NO clothing with obscene or profane language or illustrations
    NO torn clothing (even if it is the style)
    NO shorts
    NO sunglasses
    NO gang related clothing
    NO gum, food, or drinks
    NO tobacco products
    NO obscene or profane language or signs
    NO cell phones during proceedings

    Teen Court reserves the right to refuse to hear a case from those persons who fail to abide by the outlined rules. Jurors are held to the same standards for dress as defendants, volunteers and courtroom staff.
    Procedures
    Cases are heard, questioned, and sentenced by a master jury of teen volunteers. The jury will be a group of teens who have volunteered for service or who are completing jury duty as a part of their Teen Court sentence.

    The teen court coordinator will assign the master jury foreman, clerks, bailiff, and jurors for each case.

    The court bailiff and clerks also are teen volunteers who make sure the court runs smoothly and that careful records are kept.

    Cases are typically heard on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the College Station Municipal Court building located at 300 Krenek Tap Road.
    Discipline Grid
    Includes but not limited to:

    CLASS 1 Offense: 12-30 community service hours; 1-3 jury term
    Auto Equipment Violation
    No Helmet / No Seatbelt
    Expired Registration
    No Turn Signal /Improper Turn
    Civil Parking Violations
    Following too closely

    CLASS 2 Offense: 22-40 community service hours; 2-4 jury terms
    Speed 1-15 mph over limit
    Restricted Driver license
    Expired Driver License
    Ran Stop Sign / Ran Red Light
    Criminal Parking Violations
    Other Moving Violations

    CLASS 3 Offense: 32-50 community service hours; 3-5 jury terms
    Speed 16-24 mph over limit
    Speed in School Zone
    Failure to Identify
    No Driver License / Fictitious License
    Disobey Order of Police
    No Insurance
    Tobacco Related Offense
    Traffic Accident Offense

    CLASS 4 Offense: 42-60 community service hours; 4-6 jury terms
    Speed over 25 mph over limit / Driving While License Invalid
    Pass School Bus Loading or Unloading / Leave Scene of Accident
    Alcohol related offense (MIP, DUI, PI)
    Disorderly Conduct
    School related offenses
    Loitering / Vandalism / Theft
    Assault / Discharging Firearm
    Criminal Mischief / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Community Services

A number of community service work-sites are approved and available for selection through the teen court coordinator. There are some agencies who offer after-school and weekend opportunities for volunteer work, but these are limited. Teen Court is continually looking for good work-sites, especially for the younger offenders, age 12-15.

Volunteers review the cases that will be heard.

Community Service Instructions

  • Set up a regular schedule with the agency and Be Responsible for following through with your service agreement. Defendants are required to contact the agency within 7 days of their teen court hearing date. Do Not simply "show up"; always communicate ahead of time.
  • Take the Teen Court paperwork to the first meeting with the agency; they MUST have it before you begin working, AND submit the original documents to Teen Court upon completion.
  • Be On Time!
  • The assignment is individual; friends are not allowed to accompany you to the work-site.
  • Absences are excused in case of illness or emergency; Call the agency as soon as possible so the staff will not continue to expect you. The work experience will be much more valuable if the agency can depend on you.
  • Be courteous and dependable; without this work-site, your case could not be dismissed. A job well done may create an important contact for a future recommendation when you seek employment or admission to school.

Some Worksites

  • American Red Cross
  • Brazos Center
  • Brazos Food Bank
  • BVCASA
  • Lincoln Recreation Center
  • College Station Parks Department
  • College Station Public Works
  • Salvation Army
  • Your church or other affiliation may be willing to allow you to do community service work, supervised by a non-family member.

Volunteers

Interested in becoming a Teen Court Volunteer? Reach out to us at 979.764.6372 or [email protected].

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