Juveniles

The municipal court has jurisdiction over juveniles (16 years or younger) charged with most Class C misdemeanor offenses. All juveniles are required to appear in open court for all proceedings in their cases. Such appearances must be made before the Court at 9:00 a.m. on the 2nd Tuesday following receipt of the citation. If that date is a legal holiday, appearances must be made on the following Tuesday.

The parent of any juvenile charged in municipal court is required to be present in court with his or her child. Failure of a parent or legal guardian to appear with a juvenile constitutes a separate misdemeanor offense by the parent, and juveniles who fail to appear in court may have an additional charge of failure to appear filed against them.

Juveniles who fail to appear or fail to pay their fine will be reported to the Department of Public Safety who will suspend their driver's license. If they do not have a driver's license, they will not be able to obtain one until they appear in court.

In addition to the requirement to appear, juveniles (under 17 years of age) and their parent(s) have an obligation to provide the Court with their current address of residence in writing. On or before the seventh (7th) day after the date on which juveniles or their parent(s) change residence, the juvenile or his/her parent SHALL notify the court of their current address by Certified U.S. Mail, Return Receipt Requested. A violation of this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor and may result in arrest. The obligation to provide notice ends upon final disposition of charges filed from juvenile’s citation, and not when the juvenile becomes 17 years old.

Teen Court

The Hurst - Euless - Bedford Teen Court is a diversion program which allows juveniles (Class C misdemeanor offenders) an alternative to the criminal justice system. Upon successful completion of the program, offenders’ cases are dismissed and do not appear on their record. HEB Teen Court is provided by the Cities of Hurst, Euless, Bedford.

• 13-18 year olds
  Teen defendants' cases are presented to a jury of their peers by teen volunteer attorneys. Jury members assign a community service sentence according to the Discipline Grid. Defendants are allowed 90 days to complete the assigned community service hours, serve three jury terms and complete any required educational classes.
• 10-12 year olds
  The program for this age group consists of the youth and their parent/guardian observing a Teen Court session and completion of the First Offender educational/counseling program. The program includes five sessions which address decision-making, juvenile law, anger management and communication skills.

Please call (817) 952-2468 for more information.