The Harris County Juvenile Probation Department is committed to providing victims of juvenile crime their rights under the law, ensuring that they are informed, involved, and treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
The Harris County Juvenile Probation Department:
- Affords victims of juvenile crime their rights under the law, and recognizes their losses.
- Upon request, provides victims of juvenile crime accurate and timely information in accordance with agency procedures.
- Assists victims by acting as a referral source to available services.
- Ensures that HCJPD personnel are trained in victim sensitivity issues and rights.
- Develops youth awareness of how their delinquent behavior victimizes others.
Definition of a Victim of Juvenile Crime
A person who as the result of the delinquent conduct of a child suffers a financial loss or personal injury or harm (Texas Family Code 57.001).
Victims of Juvenile Crime in Texas Have the Right to:
- Protection from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution efforts.
- Have the court take the safety of the victim into consideration in determining whether the child should be detained before adjudication.
- Information about relevant court proceedings.
- Information concerning the procedures of the juvenile justice system, including preliminary investigation and deferred prosecution; and appeal of the case.
- Provide information to a juvenile court conducting the disposition hearing.
- Information regarding compensation to victims.
- Information about procedures for transfer to parole supervision or transfer to the pardons and paroles division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
- Participate in the transfer process.
- Provide to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department information to be considered by the commission before the transfer to parole.
- Information about the transfer to parole supervision or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
- Be provided with a separate or secure waiting area from other witnesses, including the child, before testifying at any proceedings.
- Prompt return of any property that is held as evidence, when the property is no longer needed for that purpose.
- Have the attorney for the state notify the employer of the victim, if requested, when the victim needs to be away from work for testimony or cooperation in court proceedings.
- Be present at all public court proceedings.
- Any other right appropriate to the victim of an adult offender.
See the complete text of Chapter 57 of the Family Code.
Crime Victims' Compensation
Passed by the Texas Legislature in 1979, the Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Act created a fund and established statutory eligibility guidelines for the provision of certain benefits for crime victims. The revenue in the Fund comes from people who break the law and pay court costs. The amounts vary depending on the types of crime they commit. The Fund is administered by the Office of the Attorney General, Crime Victims' Compensation Division.
Services for Victims of Adult Offenders
For information on services provided to victims of adult offenders visit the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services Division.
Links to Victim-Related Information
Additional Resources