Overview

The New Braunfels Municipal Court handles cases involving juveniles—persons under 17—for certain fine-only offenses. Depending on the offense, alcohol and tobacco violations may also apply to those under 21.

Who is Considered a Minor or Juvenile?

• Under 17 for most Municipal Court cases
• Under 21 for alcohol or tobacco violations (per Texas Health and Safety Code).

Types of Offenses

• Traffic violations
• Alcohol and tobacco violations
• Education Code violations
• City ordinance violations
• Other fine-only misdemeanors

Court Process & Requirements

• Juveniles must appear in court with a parent or guardian
• Attendance is mandatory—failure to appear may lead to additional consequences
• Some cases may require educational programs, community service, or other remedies

Parents & Legal Guardians

A parent or legal guardian’s presence in court is required for all proceedings if you are under 17 years of age. Your parent or legal guardian must personally appear with you in court and before the Municipal Judge. 

Every juvenile who receives a citation (ticket) is required by law to appear with a parent or guardian in open court. At the court appearance, the judge will explain the juvenile defendant’s rights and all the options available. Juvenile defendants can then decide how they want to take care of their case. Unless the parents are an attorney, they cannot speak on behalf of their child. The following is information for juvenile defendants and parents to review before court.  Defendants and parents will meet with the Juvenile Case Manager (JCM) prior to court for “intake,” in which the JCM will ask questions about family history, school, and other information to help the JCM provide guidance for completing court orders.

At the court appearance, the judge will review the juvenile’s understanding of his/her rights and the options available for disposing of the case and will take a plea from the juvenile or their attorney.

Not-Guilty Plea

With a "Not-Guilty Plea," your case will be scheduled for a pre-trial hearing to talk with the prosecutor. Generally, there are three pre-trial hearings before your case is set for trial (you have the right to a jury trial).

Guilty or No Contest Plea

With a plea of "guilty" or "no contest", you have the following options if you:

• Deferred Disposition:
  • A deferred disposition is a type of probation that lasts 180 days and is monitored by the JCM. Possible terms of probation include community service, a driver’s safety course, drug testing, a drug awareness course, and any other sanctions that the judge determines are appropriate to the type of offense with which you are charged. 
• Driver’s Safety Course:
  • The option is available only for certain traffic offenses, like speeding. You must have a valid driver’s license and insurance that shows you as a listed driver. To be eligible, you cannot have taken the course within the last 12 months from the date of the current citation. After being granted the right to take a driving safety course, you will have 90 days to complete the course and submit evidence of completion to the court. The cost is $144.00, or if the violation occurred in a school zone, the price is $169.00. (No extensions will be granted if you do not complete the course within 90 days.)
• Pay the Fine and Costs:
  • To pay the fines and costs in full will mean that a conviction will be entered on your case and may be reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety for inclusion on your driving record. Fines and costs assessed upon conviction can be paid when evaluated in a lump sum, by time payments (a time payment fee will be added), or by performing community service, if ordered by the Judge.

Failure to Appear

If a juvenile fails to appear at any hearing or trial as ordered by the judge, OR fails to fulfill sentencing requirements, the court will notify the Texas Department of Public Safety. DPS will then take action to suspend or deny the juvenile defendant’s driver’s license.

Youth Diversion and Early Intervention Act

The Youth Diversion and Early Intervention Act provides Information for early identification of at-risk youth and for redirecting children accused of certain class C misdemeanors.  All courts must adopt a youth diversion plan by January 1, 2025. The details on the Youth Diversion Program can be viewed online.