FAQs

Home FAQs

General Questions

My child was arrested what happens next?

Please call our main number at 713-222-4100 and provide the following information: your child’s name and date of birth for further information.

How do I find out who is my child’s Juvenile Probation Officer?
Please call our main number at 713-222-4100. Please provide your child’s name and date of birth.
My child is on probation, how can I reach their Juvenile Probation Officer?
Please call our main number at 713-222-4100. Please provide your child’s name and date of birth.
How can I find out when my child gets off of probation?
Please refer back to the child’s court order. If you do not have a copy, please contact your child’s Juvenile Probation Officer directly.
My child is in need of services, who do I contact?
If your child is in need of services, but currently not on Juvenile Probation please contact TRIAD Prevention Program at 713-295-2600 for assistance. If your child is on Juvenile Probation please contact your child’s assigned Juvenile Probation Officer directly.
I have concerns regarding juvenile probation services, who do I contact?
Please call our main number at 713-222-4100 and ask to speak to the Deputy Director of the specific division. Divisions include: Field Services, Intake/Court Services, Residential Services, Administrative Services, Deferred and Intervention Services, Education Services, Budget Services and Mental Health Services.
How can I find out the rules of my child’s probation?
Please refer back to the child’s court order. If you do not have a copy, please contact your child’s Juvenile Probation Officer directly.
Where do I pay my child’s restitution/probation fees?
Payments can be made to the HCJPD, Restitution Division at P.O Box 4866 Houston, TX 77210-4866. Please send checks or money orders, no cash is accepted. Online payments can be made at: www.onlinepayment.hcjpd.hctx.net. If you have questions the Restitution Division can be contacted at: 713-222-4322.
I was the victim of a crime committed by a juvenile, who do I contact?
Please contact the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Victim Services Department at 713-274-5800.
Is parking available at the Juvenile Justice Center?
Garage and Metered street parking is available around the Juvenile Justice Center. Our building is also on the Houston Metro bus line. Please contact 713-635-4000 to plan your trip via Metro.
My child was ordered to have a psychological screening and/or a psychiatric assessment, what is that? Who can I call if I have questions?
A psychological screening or psychiatric assessment is the process of gathering information about a person for the purpose of making a diagnosis. This is usually the first stage in the treatment process and is often used for various legal purposes. If you have questions regarding this process, please call our main number at 713-222-4100 and ask to speak with someone in Forensic Services.

Intake/Court Questions

My child has been detained, can I bond/bail my child out?
There is no bail system in juvenile courts, therefore your child cannot be bonded/bailed out. Detention decisions are at the discretion of the Juvenile Judge or Associate Juvenile Judge.
How do I get an attorney for my child?
If you qualify, a court appointed attorney will be assigned to your child. You also reserve the right to retain a private attorney.
How can I get a different attorney for my child?
Please contact your child’s assigned Court Coordinator. The 313th District Court can be reached at: 832-927-8435. The 314th District Court can be reached at: 832-927-8470 and the 315th District Court can be reached at: 832-927-8480.
How can I find out where my child is?
Please call our main number at 713-222-4100 and provide the following information: your child’s name and date of birth.
How do I find my child’s court date? Time? District Court?
Please call our main number at 713-222-4100. Please provide your child’s name and date of birth.
What happens if I cannot attend a court hearing?
It is imperative that you attend your child’s court hearing however, if you cannot, please contact your child’s assigned Court Coordinator. The 313th District Court can be reached at: 832-927-8435. The 314th District Court can be reached at: 832-927-8470 and the 315th District Court can be reached at: 832-927-8480.
My child has a court hearing, what time do I need to appear in court?
Please arrive at 1200 Congress Houston, TX 77002 by 9AM.
My child was brought to the Juvenile Detention Center and was not released, now what?
Your child will receive a Detention Hearing within the first 48 business hours of their arrival. Business hours are considered Monday-Friday 8 to 5PM excluding Federal Holidays. A probation officer will contact you with information concerning the date and time of your child’s detention hearing.

Residential Services Questions

My child is in a facility, how do I arrange a visit?
Each Harris County facility has their own designated visitation policy. Please contact the facility directly for the visitation schedule and times. The contact information for each facility is as follows: Juvenile Detention Center 713-222-4100, Leadership Academy 713-222-4600 and Youth Village 713-222-4700.
My child is in a facility, how can I arrange for visitors?
Visitors can be added by contacting your child’s assigned Juvenile Probation Officer.
My child is in a facility and I have concerns about his/her care. Who do I contact?
Please contact the Facility Administrator at your child’s current location. If you have medical related concerns about your child’s care, please contact the Director of Nursing at 713-222-4272.
Can my child receive mail while in a facility?
Yes. Letters can be mailed to the facility directly. Juvenile Detention Center: 1200 Congress Houston, TX 77002. Leadership Academy: 9120 Katy Hockley Rd. Katy, TX 77493. Youth Village: 210 J W Mills Dr. Seabrook, TX 77586. Letters must be typed or handwritten and cannot contain pictures or money.
What happens to my child’s personal property when they are in a facility?
The property is stored until it is picked up. Please pick up your child’s property within the first 90 days of their arrival, if you do not the items will be donated. Monetary property is not donated and can be retrieved at any time.
Can I visit my child in a facility without a valid I.D?
Identification is required, but not limited to a valid driver’s license. Passports, documentation from the Consulate and work I.Ds are all acceptable forms of identification.
In case of a family emergency, how can I reach my child while they are in a facility?
Please contact your child’s Juvenile Probation Officer directly.
Are siblings allowed to visit the facility?
Yes, however they must be under the age of 10.
What if my child is on medication when they are placed in a facility?
Please contact the medical department at your child’s facility and provide them with the medical details. The Juvenile Detention Center can be reached at: 713-222-4211 Leadership Academy: 713-222-4625 Youth Village: 713-222-4725.
Can I bring outside food to my child who is in a facility?
No, outside food is not permitted.
Will my child receive basic medical healthcare while in the facility?
Yes, basic healthcare needs (dental, vision, medical) are provided while your child is in our care. Please contact the facility medical department with questions or concerns. The contact information for each facility is as follows: Juvenile Detention Center 713-222-4100, Leadership Academy 713-222-4600 and Youth Village 713-222-4700.
What if my child has a medical, psychiatric, dental or vision appointment while in a facility?
Depending on the nature of the appointment, the facility may be able to transport your child to the appointment. Please contact the Medical Department of the facility with appointment details. The Juvenile Detention Center can be reached at: 713-222-4211 Leadership Academy: 713-222-4625 Youth Village: 713-222-4725.
Can I provide my child’s medication while they are in a facility?
Facilities generally do not take medication from parents and will provide medications directly from our medical staff. If your child’s medication cannot be obtained by the medical staff, the child’s parents will be contacted and a request will be made to have the medication brought from home.
My child is in a facility, do they receive school credit?
Yes. Each facility has their own accredited school program through the Harris County Excel Academy.
How can I request my child’s school transcripts while they are in a facility?
Transcript requests can be made by calling 713-222-4939 or 713-222-4357.

Education Questions

My child is being sent to JJAEP, what is that?
Students attending the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program have been expelled from a local school district for criminal activity or serious misconduct in school.
Are there any resources available to me while my child is attending the JJAEP or after?
Community Youth Services (CYS) is a school-based crisis intervention, counseling, and case coordination program that provides practical assistance to families of children and young people. All services are voluntary and provided at no cost to the family. Please click here to learn more.

Human Resources

I'm an employer. How do I verify employment for your former employee?

All employment verification requests for other employment, car loans, etc. must be faxed with a signed release to 832-927-0359. Employment verifications cannot be done over the phone. Download the employment verification form, here.

Additional Questions

How do I get my child’s records sealed?

Three programs are available in Harris County that offer sealing of records services at no cost for juveniles who qualify:

  1. The Houston Volunteer Lawyers Juvenile Sealing Project. For more information, please visit www.makejusticehappen.org, email [email protected], or contact our Legal Services Staff at 713-228-0735.
  2. The Earl Carl Institute for Legal and Social Policy. Inc. For more information, please visit www.tsulaw.edu/centers/ECI or contact one of their dedicated staff at 713-313-1130.
  3. The University of Houston Law Center Records and Sealing Expunction Clinic. For more information, please call 713-743-2094.