Juveniles
The Municipal court has jurisdiction over juveniles, 16 years or younger, charged with Class "C" misdemeanor offenses.
All juveniles are required to appear in open court for all proceedings in their cases. The parent or guardian of any juvenile charged in Municipal Court is required to be present in court with their child. These cases cannot be disposed of without an appearance to open court and fees/fines cannot be paid online.
Contact us
Juvenile Case Coordinator
Phone: 281-275-2560
Email: juvenile@sugarlandtx.gov
The juvenile docket is held the third Monday of each month at 5 p.m. If a holiday falls on the third Monday of the month, juvenile court is scheduled for the following Monday.
To ensure efficiency, please be here by 4:30 p.m. to allow plenty of time to get checked-in for court.
For Traffic Offenses
At the court appearance, the judge will explain the juvenile defendants’ rights and all the options available. You will also have the opportunity to speak with the prosecutor to see if an agreement can be reached. If an agreement cannot be reached, the case will then be set for a trial.
Juvenile defendants can decide how they want to take care of their case. They may also bring a lawyer, but the presence of a parent/guardian is still required. Additionally, unless the parents are an attorney, they cannot speak on behalf of their child.
For Non-Traffic Offenses
Before the scheduled court date, both the child and their parent or guardian must participate in an intake process. After intake has been conducted, finalization will occur at the scheduled court date. For more information, please read the information below, under Youth Diversion.
Juvenile defendants can decide how they want to take care of their case. They may also bring a lawyer, but the presence of a parent/guardian is still required. Additionally, unless the parents are an attorney, they cannot speak on behalf of their child.
If a juvenile fails to appear at any hearing or trial as ordered by the judge, the court will notify the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in Austin. DPS then will take action to suspend or deny the driver’s license of the juvenile defendant.
The court will also notify the Department of Public Safety in Austin if the juvenile fails to fulfill his/her sentencing requirement. DPS then will take action to suspend or deny the driver’s license of the juvenile and you can be held in contempt of court.
If the juvenile does not have a driver’s license, they will not be able to obtain one until they appear in Court to dispose of their case.
Youth Diversion
H.B. 3186 (88th Legislative Session), mandates municipal and justice courts to establish a youth diversion plan to increases opportunities for early identification of at-risk youth and for redirecting children accused of certain Class C misdemeanors. H.B. 3186 makes diversion strategies available at the front end of a case where they can be more effective and aligns municipal and justice court practices with those used by juvenile probation and juvenile courts.
The Youth Diversion Plan at Sugar Land Municipal Court gives the child the opportunity to complete a Youth Diversion Plan with realistic and reasonable terms set by the Municipal Court Judge or the Youth Diversion Coordinator. Terms include a $50 fee and may include a combination of conditions such as community service, an educational program, counseling, letters of apology, and/or restitution, etc. A child’s participation is voluntary and requires the child to accept responsibility for his or her conduct and engage in a diversion agreement.
Our goal is to provide the support and structure needed to help youth make positive changes, prevent future offenses, and provide a path toward a brighter future. Read more about our Diversion Plan here.
To be eligible for diversion:
- The offense must be a misdemeanor punishable by fine only, other than a traffic offense;
- a child is eligible to enter into a diversion agreement only once every 365 days;
- a child is not eligible for diversion if the child has previously had an unsuccessful diversion;
- a child is not eligible for diversion if a diversion is objected to by the prosecutor.
Our Juvenile Diversion Program is designed to offer an alternative to formal prosecution for youth who have committed minor offenses. Through a structured and supportive process, we aim to address the root causes of offending behaviors, promote accountability, and guide juveniles toward positive behavior change. The process involves several key steps:
1. Intake
Before the scheduled court date, both the child and their parent or guardian must participate in an intake process. This is a critical first step in creating a personalized diversion plan. During the intake session, they will complete a detailed questionnaire, discuss academic performance, background, and potential causes for the child’s behavior. The Juvenile Case Coordinator will use this information to design a tailored plan that aligns with the child’s specific needs, taking into consideration factors such as family dynamics, academic struggles, and any underlying challenges that may be contributing to the child’s actions.
Important: Please contact the Juvenile Case Coordinator prior to your scheduled court date to make an appointment for your intake.
2. Diversion Plan Approval
Once the diversion plan is drafted, it will be reviewed and agreed upon by both the family and the Court. After this mutual agreement, the plan will be signed and submitted to the judge for final approval. This plan outlines the goals, expectations, and required actions for the child throughout the diversion process.
3. Check-Ins
Check-ins serve as important progress checkpoints where the Juvenile Case Coordinator and the family will meet to ensure the child is on track with the plan. These meetings may be held in person or virtually, depending on the plan's structure and the family’s preferences. The frequency of these check-ins will be determined by the specifics of the diversion plan and may vary according to the child’s needs and progress.
During these check-ins, additional resources and support will be provided if necessary to help the child stay compliant and continue making progress.
4. Compliance
At the end of the diversion period, the family and Juvenile Case Coordinator will meet before the Judge to evaluate the child’s overall compliance with the diversion plan. There are two possible outcomes at this stage:
- Successful Completion: If the child successfully completes the program, the case will be closed. All records pertaining to the case will be expunged on the child’s 18th birthday, offering the opportunity for a fresh start.
- Unsuccessful Completion: If the child does not complete the diversion plan satisfactorily, the judge will decide whether the case should proceed to formal prosecution.
Note: Extensions for additional time to comply with the Diversion Agreement are at the discretion of the court. A case may not extend beyond 180 days from the date of the initial agreement.