Texas Family Code 53.02 – Release From Detention
(a) If a child is brought before the court or delivered to a detention facility as authorized by Sections 51.12(a)(3) and (4), the intake or other authorized officer of the court shall immediately make an investigation and shall release the child unless it appears that his detention is warranted under Subsection (b). The release may be conditioned upon requirements reasonably necessary to insure the child’s appearance at later proceedings, but the conditions of the release must be in writing and filed with the office or official designated by the court and a copy furnished to the child.
(b) A child taken into custody may be detained prior to hearing on the petition only if:
(1) the child is likely to abscond or be removed from the jurisdiction of the court;
(2) suitable supervision, care, or protection for the child is not being provided by a parent, guardian, custodian, or other person;
(3) the child has no parent, guardian, custodian, or other person able to return the child to the court when required;
(4) the child may be dangerous to himself or herself or the child may threaten the safety of the public if released;
(5) the child has previously been found to be a delinquent child or has previously been convicted of a penal offense punishable by a term in jail or prison and is likely to commit an offense if released; or
(6) the child’s detention is required under Subsection (f).
Terms Used In Texas Family Code 53.02
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by writing, printing, or other means. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Population: means the population shown by the most recent federal decennial census. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) If the child is not released, a request for detention hearing shall be made and promptly presented to the court, and an informal detention hearing as provided in § 54.01 of this code shall be held promptly, but not later than the time required by § 54.01 of this code.
(d) A release of a child to an adult under Subsection (a) must be conditioned on the agreement of the adult to be subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and to an order of contempt by the court if the adult, after notification, is unable to produce the child at later proceedings.
(e) Unless otherwise agreed in the memorandum of understanding under § 37.011, Education Code, in a county with a population greater than 125,000, if a child being released under this section is expelled under § 37.007, Education Code, the release shall be conditioned on the child’s attending a juvenile justice alternative education program pending a deferred prosecution or formal court disposition of the child’s case.
(f) A child who is alleged to have engaged in delinquent conduct and to have used, possessed, or exhibited a firearm, as defined by § 46.01, Penal Code, in the commission of the offense shall be detained until the child is released at the direction of the judge of the juvenile court, a substitute judge authorized by § 51.04(f), or a referee appointed under § 51.04(g), including an oral direction by telephone, or until a detention hearing is held as required by § 54.01.