VIDEO: The Pendulum Is Swinging: What Texas’s Juvenile Justice Shift Means for Families

Texas is breaking ground this month on two new state youth prisons. In this short video, I explain why that matters to any family whose child is accused of a crime.

Two Decades of Rehabilitation

For almost twenty years, Texas juvenile law has focused on rehabilitation. The idea is simple: a young person who makes a bad decision can still turn his life around. In many cases, that approach has worked well.

The State Is Changing Course

Texas is now seeing more young people accused of serious violent crimes, especially crimes involving guns, and the state is responding:

• Lawmakers have set aside $304 million for two new state juvenile facilities.

• The number of youth committed to state custody has grown from about 550 in 2024 to about 800 this year.

• In the last legislative session, the Texas Senate voted to let the state send 15-year-olds to adult prison. That bill stalled in the House. Expect to see it again.

Why It Matters for Your Family

The pendulum is swinging away from rehabilitation and back toward crime control. If your child is accused of a crime in Texas today, the stakes are higher than they were even two years ago. What happens in the first few days, before the detention hearing, can shape everything that comes after.

If your son or daughter is facing a juvenile charge, call me, Kevin Collins, at (210) 223-9480 or contact us online for a confidential consultation.