Drugs are illegal for both underage teens and adults, but teenagers may be prosecuted on different grounds than those over 21. If you are a juvenile who was arrested for drug possession, then you will lose your driver’s license for a minimum of six moths regardless of your age. You may be tried in juvenile court for your crime, or the authorities may see fit to try you as an adult if you are close to 18. Your charges will be contingent on the type of drug that you were caught with and the amount of the drug that you were carrying.
In most cases, courts want to encourage juveniles to reform their ways before they become adults. This means that the courts will normally mandate that a teenager attend drug counseling after he or she is caught with illegal narcotics. Also, juveniles may be placed on probation for drug possession and may be forced to comply with specific terms such as regular school attendance, job maintenance, or hours of court-ordered community service. Also, teens will be required to abstain from drugs, and may need to attend rehabilitation if they are addicted to a particular narcotic. Probation for juveniles normally lasts six months, but it may be longer or shorter depending on the nature of the case.
As well, some juveniles will be sentenced to diversion. This is a type of informal probation that allows a juvenile to avoid probation officers. The teen will need to abide by specific rules that are set by the court, but will be self-accountable. If the court learns that a teen violated diversion, then or she can be arrested promptly. In some particularly serious case, minors may be sent to a detention facility for drug possession. A teen can also be sentenced to home confinement or placement with a foster family or guardian. Normally detention is reserved for repeat offenders. If you have been charged with juvenile possession of an illegal drug, then you need to talk to a Texas drug defense lawyer at the Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC today!