Family Code · §51.03

Juvenile Justice

Juvenile Justice is covered under §51.03 and tested on the TCOLE peace officer licensing exam.

To prove this offense, the State must establish each of the following elements: Delinquent conduct: felonies, Class A/B misdemeanors (with exclusions); CINS: status offenses, Class C, runaway, inhalant abuse; Both handled by juvenile court.

Elements you must prove

  • Delinquent conduct: felonies, Class A/B misdemeanors (with exclusions)
  • CINS: status offenses, Class C, runaway, inhalant abuse
  • Both handled by juvenile court

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Worked examples

Worked example 1

A juvenile under Tex. Fam. Code §51.03 is alleged to have engaged in:

  1. Only Class A and felony offenses
  2. (a) 'Delinquent conduct' (felonies + Class A/B misdemeanors with statutory exclusions); OR (b) 'Conduct indicating a need for supervision' (Class C, status offenses, truant conduct, runaway, certain inhalant abuse) — both handled in juvenile court Correct
  3. Only Class C offenses
  4. Only felonies
Why: Juvenile court handles two tracks: 'delinquent conduct' (more serious) and 'CINS' (less serious + status offenses). Both result in juvenile-court adjudication, not adult criminal conviction.
Statute: Tex. Fam. Code §51.03

Statutory definitions for this topic

Delinquent conduct Tex. Fam. Code §51.03(a)
Conduct violating a Texas penal law of the grade of felony, OR Class A or B misdemeanor (with statutory exclusions). Handled in juvenile court.
Conduct indicating a need for supervision (CINS) Tex. Fam. Code §51.03(b)
Lower-tier juvenile conduct: status offenses (truancy, runaway), Class C misdemeanors (with limited exceptions), inhalant abuse. Handled in juvenile court but with less serious consequences than 'delinquent conduct.'