Juvenile Defense Attorney in San Antonio

Board-Certified Defense for Bexar County Families Facing Juvenile Charges

A charge against your child isn’t just a legal problem today. It can affect college admissions, financial aid, and employment for years to come, even when the case stays entirely within the juvenile system. At The Locke Law Group, we handle juvenile criminal defense throughout San Antonio and Bexar County. Our team brings more than 50 years of combined legal experience, and our founding attorney Shannon Locke is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by a small percentage of Texas attorneys that requires professional experience, peer and judicial references, and a comprehensive exam.

The decisions made in the first hours after a child’s arrest can shape what options remain available. Reaching an attorney immediately can affect how a case is filed, whether your child is detained, and what alternatives to formal adjudication may still be on the table.

Call us now at (210) 361-3113 to schedule a free consultation. We serve families across San Antonio and Bexar County in both English and Spanish.

How the Texas Juvenile Justice System Works in Bexar County

Texas juvenile cases are civil proceedings governed by the Texas Family Code and the Juvenile Justice Code, not the adult criminal justice system. A juvenile under Texas law is generally a person who was under age 17 at the time of the alleged offense. The system is built around rehabilitation over punishment: juveniles are adjudicated rather than convicted, and outcomes are called dispositions rather than sentences.

Bexar County has three juvenile district courts handling felony and Class A and B misdemeanor matters: the 289th, the 386th, and the 436th Juvenile District Courts. The City of San Antonio Juvenile Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors, including traffic offenses and truancy, and a parent or guardian must appear alongside the juvenile at those proceedings. This court system operates with its own procedures, judges, and terminology, and familiarity with how Bexar County’s juvenile courts function can make a real difference in how a case is handled.

Juvenile Charges We Handle in San Antonio

Juveniles in Texas can be charged with any offense an adult can face, plus status offenses that apply solely because of the child’s age. Common charges include:

• Misdemeanors and status offenses: Theft and shoplifting, vandalism, trespassing, truancy, curfew violations, and minor in possession of alcohol
• Drug and DWI offenses: Drug possession and underage DWI
• Assault charges: From simple assault to aggravated assault
• Serious felonies: Sexual assault, robbery, and gang-related offenses prosecuted in the Bexar County juvenile district courts

For certain felonies allegedly committed by a minor age 14 or older, Texas prosecutors can seek a transfer to adult court, where adult penalties apply. Even charges that seem minor can close doors: a juvenile adjudication can affect a child’s ability to get into college, obtain federal student loans, and find employment. We defend clients at every level of the juvenile charge spectrum in San Antonio and throughout Bexar County.

How We Build a Juvenile Defense in Bexar County

Shannon Locke served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office and earlier at the Pima County Attorney’s Office, giving him direct knowledge of how prosecutors evaluate and build juvenile cases. Our team also includes a former San Antonio police officer, bringing firsthand knowledge of how law enforcement conducts investigations, makes arrests, and assembles charging packages. That combined inside perspective shapes how we approach every case.

Defense work in the juvenile system begins well before any hearing. We work to:

• Challenge detention at the outset: Under the Texas Family Code, the detention hearing must be held within two working days of a child’s arrival at the detention facility. We can challenge probable cause and present your child’s background to the judge to work toward release to the family.
• Act before charges are formally filed: Presenting mitigating evidence to the prosecutor early can influence charging decisions before a case enters the formal court process.
• Suppress illegally obtained evidence: If law enforcement gathered evidence in violation of your child’s rights, we move to have it excluded.
• Contest transfer to adult court: We argue against certification hearings that could expose your child to adult penalties.
• Advocate at the disposition stage: We present evaluation evidence addressing your child’s background, mental health history, academic record, and any substance use history to argue for probation, deferred prosecution, or diversion over incarceration.
• Pursue juvenile record sealing: Texas doesn’t automatically seal all juvenile records, and for cases involving more serious conduct, sealing isn’t guaranteed. Taking affirmative steps to seal a record can be critical to protecting your child’s future access to education and employment.

Every defense strategy we build is customized to the specific facts and circumstances of the case, because no two juvenile cases are alike.

Why San Antonio Families Choose The Locke Law Group

When a child is arrested, families need answers fast and a team that stays reachable throughout the process. We’re available 24/7, we communicate promptly at every stage, and we provide services in both English and Spanish, serving the full range of families across San Antonio and Bexar County. We also offer flexible payment options tailored to each client’s financial situation, because cost shouldn’t prevent a family from getting the representation their child needs.

Our firm brings more than 50 years of combined legal experience along with recognition that includes the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, 10 Best Law Firm Client Satisfaction, Lawyers of Distinction, and the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award.

Speak with a Juvenile Defense Lawyer in San Antonio Today

If your child has been arrested or charged in San Antonio or Bexar County, the time to act is now. Contact The Locke Law Group to schedule a free consultation. We can review your child’s situation, explain what to expect in Bexar County’s juvenile courts, and outline how we can help.

Call (210) 361-3113 to reach our team. We’re available 24/7 and ready to speak with you in English or Spanish.