Williamson County, Texas

The County Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting juvenile crime in Williamson County.  A “juvenile” is a child 10 years of age or older and younger than 17 years of age.  Delinquent children are subject to a wide variety of punishments ranging from informal probation to commitment at the Texas Juvenile Justice Division (TJJD).  The County Attorney’s Office works closely with the Williamson County Juvenile Services Department to find just and appropriate solutions for the county’s troubled youth. 

The Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (J.J.A.E.P.) is an alternative school placement program which operates subject to the approval of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission.  Participants of the J.J.A.E.P. are juveniles who have been court-ordered into the program instead of their usual school campus.  The J.J.A.E.P. component is a non-residential program.

The Williamson County Academy operates the Williamson County J.J.A.E.P. and also provides residential placement for juveniles who have been court-ordered to attend residential treatment. 

A principal and a staff of nine teachers provide educational services for resident and non-resident students of the Academy.  The Academy focuses on teaching students self-discipline, in addition to English language arts, mathematics, science, and history.  Electives such as teen leadership, physical education, introduction to business, and career connections are also offered.

The Academy's instruction also includes a military component that includes drill instructors and Academy officers with color guard exercises.  The Academy's primary focus is to establish behaviors, attitudes, and performance levels that allow students to be successful upon their return to their respective district campuses.

The Academy is often the last step before a Court is forced to send the juvenile to the Texas Juvenile Justice Division.

The Juvenile Community Committee is a diversion program for first-time juvenile offenders.  It is an opportunity for the local community to help troubled youth understand the consequences of engaging in criminal activity and to lend a hand to parents in guiding their children toward a non-criminal way to handle their problems.  For the offending juvenile, the choice is to work with the J.C.C. or the court system.  Participation by the juvenile is totally voluntary and on a referral basis; however, failure to fully complete all recommendations of the Committee will result in sending the case back to the courts for final disposition.

The committee is comprised of community volunteers and a chairperson who facilitates the meeting with the juvenile and his/her parents.  A contract is formulated that is acceptable to everyone participating and must be completed within an agreed-upon time period.  Non-compliance or a subsequent offense will result in the case being sent back to the court system for disposition.  If the juvenile completes the contract and does not re-offend within two years, the juvenile's record may be sealed by the courts.

State Bar of Texas Juvenile Law Section
https://juvenilelaw.org/

Office of the Attorney General- "Juvenile Justice Handbook for Local Governments" (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/files/cj/juvenile_justice.pdf