Review of Recent Juvenile Cases (2010)
by
The Honorable Pat Garza
Associate Judge
386th District Court
San Antonio, Texas
Click here to search the juvenile
case reviews.
In arson adjudication, restitution order
in the amount of $248,429.37 was set aside because it was not adequately
supported by the record.[In the Matter of D.S.W.](10-4-5)
On September 1, 2010, the San Antonio Court of Appeals set
aside a restitution order and remanded the case for a new hearing on
restitution because the amount the trial court ordered in restitution was
not adequately supported in the record and required some amount of
speculation
In court statement by witness identifying
respondent with, I'm not positively sure, but I think so. held to be factually
sufficient. [In the Matter of N.K.M.](10-4-4B)
On September 1, 2010, the San Antonio Court of Appeals held
that the presence of corroborating facts or circumstances connecting the
accused to the crime, when coupled with a less-than-certain eyewitness
identification, may be sufficient to support the jury's finding of identity.
In motion to suppress in-court
identification, officer's statement to witness that a person of interest was
in the photo lineup did not give rise to a very substantial likelihood of
irreparable misidentification.[In the Matter of N.K.M.](10-4-4A)
On September 1, 2010, the San Antonio Court of Appeals held
that respondent failed to show by clear and convincing evidence that the
in-court identification of respondent was unreliable due to a impermissibly
suggestive pre-trial procedure.
Neither a determinate sentence probation
transfer order nor a court's refusal to amend the conditions of probation (once
transferred) is appealable.[In the Matter of B.L.C.](10-4-3)
On September 29, 2010, the El Paso Court of Appeals agreed
with juvenile's counsel when he stated that a juvenile court's order
transferring a determinate sentence probation to an adult district court or
the court's refusal to amend the conditions of probation when transferred
were not appealable orders.
Parents of juvenile offender could not be
ordered to submit to drug test as a condition of their daughter's
probation.[Idaho v. Doe](10-4-2)
On June 1, 2010, the Idaho Supreme Court held that it was a
violation of the Fourth Amendment for a magistrate to require parents to
involuntarily submit to random urinalysis drug tests as a condition of their
daughter's probation.
Plea-bargain that required seventeen year
old (minor) to voluntarily waive any right to an expunction in order to enroll
in a pre-trial diversion program is binding on the minor. [In the Matter of the
Expunction of D.R.R.](10-4-1)
On August 11, 2010, the El Paso Court of Appeals held that
minors have the capacity to enter into contracts for pre-trial diversion
programs, and as a result are bound by their conditions.
Evidence was legally sufficient to support
the delinquency finding of aggravated sexual assault of a child.[In the Matter
of F.J.S.](10-3-5)
On May 26, 2010, the El Paso Court of Appeals held that
viewing the evidence the light most favorable to the verdict, the evidence
was legally sufficient to support the delinquency finding for the offense of
aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Trial Court did not abuse its discretion
in reducing juvenile's determinate sentence probation from six years to a little
less than five months.[In the Matter of E.E.](10-3-4)
On May 19, 2010, the El Paso Court of Appeals held that by
failing to object to any procedural defect or any lack of notice, with
regard to the trial courts reduction of juvenile's determinate sentence
probation, the state failed to preserve the issue for review.
A mandatory life sentence without the
option of parole, for a juvenile who commits capital murder before September 1,
2009, is constitutional.[Forcey v. State](10-3-3)
On May 19, 2010, the Waco Court of Appeals held that given
that the legislature chose not to apply the parole eligibility amendment
retroactively to juveniles who have been certified to adult court and
sentenced for a capital murder, it would not be appropriate for the court to
judicially amend the statute.
Trial Court did not abuse its discretion
removing the child from the home for violating a CHINS probation.[In the Matter
of B.L.B.](10-3-2)
On May 20, 2010, the Austin Court of Appeals concluded that
the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in finding that the child,
who had been adjudicated a child in need of supervision, had already been
given an opportunity to complete her probation at home, tested dirty for
marijuana, and that a different placement was now appropriate.
In writ of mandamus by a juvenile, it is
the juvenile's burden to show, with a sufficient record, that he has a right to
mandamus relief. [In re B.T.](10-3-1)
On May 21, 2010, the Tyler Court of Appeals held that
because the juvenile failed to include certain reports in the mandamus
record, they could not decide whether the juvenile had an inadequate remedy
by appeal and as a result could not fully consider whether the trial court's
order constituted an abuse of its discretion.
Life without parole for a juvenile
offender who commits a nonhomicide crime is unconstitutional. [Graham v.
Florida](10-2-18)
On May 15, 2010, the Supreme Court of the United States held
that the eighth amendment's cruel and unusual punishments clause does not
permit a juvenile offender to be sentenced to life in prison without parole
for a nonhomicide crime.
Juvenile court has no authority to force
the State to prosecute juvenile under the determinate sentence statute. [Bleys
v. State](10-2-17)
On May 12, 2010, the San Antonio Court of Appeals held that
the decision to refer a petition to the grand jury is at the State's option,
and if the State never refers the petition, the trial court has no
jurisdiction to order determinate sentencing.
Evidence was sufficient to support trial
court's finding that juvenile engaged in delinquent conduct by committing
aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and placing him on probation for a
determinate sentencing.(10-2-16)
On May 13, 2010, the Austin Court of Appeals held that the
evidence was legally and factually sufficient to support the court's finding
that the juvenile used a deadly weapon and to support the court's rejection
of his self-defense claim.
Evidence was factually sufficient to
support deadly conduct adjudication. [In the Matter of Z.J.R.](10-2-15)
On March 3, 2010, the San Antonio Court of Appeals held that
evidence was factually sufficient to support juvenile's adjudication as
delinquent based upon commission of offense of deadly conduct.
Evidence was sufficient to establish
offense of attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. [In the Matter of
V.R.](10-2-14)
On March 10, 2010, the Waco Court of Appeals held that
evidence was sufficient to establish that juvenile's act of placing knife in
trunk of car and grabbing it out of trunk was an act amounting to more than
mere preparation that tended but failed to effect the commission of the
offense of attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Expungement of 17 year-old's record was
improper where plea bargain stated that he had waived his right to expunge his
record. [In the Matter of Expunction of D.R.R.](10-2-13)
On February 10, 2010, the El Paso Court of Appeals held that
even though defendant was 17 at the time of his plea, he could not later use
his status as a minor to attack a condition of his plea agreement he didn't
like.
Evidence in aggravated assault disposition
was considered factually sufficient to support TYC commitment. [In the Matter of
A.C.](10-2-12)
On April 29, 2010, the Fort Worth Court of Appeals, applying
the civil standard of review, found that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in committing child to TYC, in that the evidence was not so weak,
or so contrary to the overwhelming weight of all the evidence, that the
disposition should be set aside and a new trial ordered.
Testimony from store employee was
sufficient to establish ownership in shoplifting adjudication. [In the Matter of
R.L.S.](10-2-11)
On April 15, 2010, the Eastland Court of Appeals found that
the trial court did not abuse its discretion by finding that testimony from
employee was sufficient to establish that manager was owner of property
under theft petition, even though manager did not appear in court to
testify.
Where assertions of violations of
constitutional rights in juvenile's motion for new trial were vague and
untimely, no error was preserved for appeal. [In the Matter of J.R.N.,
III.](10-2-10)
On Aril 1, 2010, the Beaumont Court of Appeals held that
constitutional challenges to the trial court's evidentiary rulings should be
raised at trial and at the time the trial court sustained the State's
objections to the admission of the proffered evidence.
Juvenile's motion for new trial was
sufficient to encompass, and preserve, his complaint on appeal. [In the Matter
of R.D.](10-2-9)
On February 12, 2010, the Supreme Court found that
juvenile's motion for new trial was sufficient to encompass, and preserve,
his complaint on appeal that jury's rejection of his affirmative defense of
duress had no evidentiary support, warranting reversal.
Failure to object at trial to the amount
of child support ordered by the trial court fails to preserve issue for
appeal.[In the Matter of J.S.H.](10-2-8)
On March 18, 2010, the Houston Court of Appeals (1 Dist.),
held that by not objecting to amount of child support ordered at trial,
juvenile's parent failed to preserve error for appeal, however, the court
mentioned that the issue of whether a motion to modify the child-support
payments may be filed by the parent was not presented.
Juvenile court did not abuse its
discretion in committing juvenile to TYC on first referral to juvenile court.[In
the Matter of J.A.](10-2-7)
On March 10, 2010, the San Antonio Court of Appeals held
that, in a robbery disposition, a trial court is not required to exhaust all
possible alternatives before sending a juvenile to TYC.
Failure to timely serve respondent for
Certification and Transfer Hearing deprived criminal district court of
jurisdiction over him.[Maldonado v. State](10-2-6)
On March 12, 2010, the Amarillo Court of Appeals held that
in a Certification and Transfer Hearing, the failure to serve summons on
juvenile in a timely manner, deprived the juvenile court of its jurisdiction
to transfer this matter to the district court and, therefore, the district
court never acquired jurisdiction over appellant.
Affirmative links established that
appellant's connection with packages of marijuana found hidden in vehicle he was
driving across border were more than just fortuitous.[In the Matter of
H.G.G.D.](10-2-5)
On February 24, 2010, the El Paso Court of Appeals concluded
that the jury could have rationally found beyond a reasonable doubt all of
the essential elements of the offense charged, including care, control, and
management of marihuana, and that appellant intentionally or knowingly
possessed the contraband.
Objection to juvenile enhancement was not
preserved for appeal where respondent's objections at trial did not comport to
that which was asserted on appeal.[Longoria v. State](10-2-4)
On February 25, 2010, the Amarillo Court of
Appeals held that since the substance of respondent's objection to
juvenile's state jail felony enhancement focused on the lack of prior notice
and failed to comport with that asserted on appeal, the matter was not
preserved.
Evidence was factually sufficient to negate respondent's
theory of self-defense.[In the Matter of M.A.J.](10-2-3)
On February 26, 2010, the Austin Court of
Appeals held that the juvenile court could have reasonably inferred from the
evidence that respondent was the aggressor in assault, negating respondent's
position that he was justified in using force against victim.
Dog sniff of student's property in class room while
students asked to wait outside was considered constitutional.[In the Matterof
D.H.](10-2-2)
On March 5, 2010, the Austin Court of
Appeals held that, considering the low level of intrusion on student's
limited privacy rights and the evidence about the drug problem at the
school, the seizure of student's backpacks, to be sniffed by drug dogs,
effectively addressed the problem of student drug use and served the
important governmental interest in protecting the students' safety and
health.
Appellate court must remand for appointment of new counsel
where appellate issues exist irrespective of filing of Anders brief.[Menson v.
State](10-2-1)
On February 18, 2010 the Amarillo Court of
Appeals abated juvenile's appeal and remanded case for appointment of new
counsel where old counsel filed Anders brief, and Appellate Court found that
potential appellate issues existed.
Family Code does not require that a
respondent give prior notice of intent to assert the defense of lack of
responsibility due to mental illness or mental retardation.[In the Matter of
A.W.B.](10-1-8B)
On February 2, 2010, the Amarillo Court concluded that the
Family Code does not require that a respondent give notice of intent to
assert the defense of lack of responsibility due to mental illness or mental
retardation, and as a result, the trial court abused its discretion in
sustaining the State's objection to doctor's report regarding juvenile's
mental condition.
An unnoticed outcry statement may still
be admissible if the statement is admissible under a hearsay exception.[In the
Matter of A.W.B.](10-1-8A)
On February 2, 2010, the Amarillo Court of Appeals held that
failure to meet the statutory requisites for an outcry statement was not
error where witness's statement was admissible as an excited utterance.
Hearsay by (unnoticed) outcry witness was
admissible to rubut an express or implied charge of fabrication or improper
influence.[In the Matter of A.C.T.](10-1-7B)
On February 3, 2010, the San Antonio Court of Appeals held
that hearsay testimony from an outcry witness, which the state failed to
properly notify juvenile's counsel of, was admissible as a hearsay exception
where the testimony was offered to rebut an express or implied charge of
recent fabrication or improper influence or motive.
In aggravated sexual assault
adjudication, evidence was sufficient to establish that the juvenile committed
the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.[In the Matter of A.C.T.](10-1-7A)
On February 3, 2010, the San Antonio Court of Appeals held
that, the evidence when viewed in the light most favorable to the jury's
finding, was sufficient for a rational trier of fact to have found that the
elements of aggravated sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt.
Granting of deferred prosecution by
prosecutor must be in writing, signed and filed in the record of the cause to be
enforceable.[In the Matter of R.C.](10-1-6)
On February 4, 2010, the Corpus Christi Court of Appeals
held that while a prosecutor has the discretion to defer prosecution of a
juvenile without court approval in certain circumstances, the agreement must
comply with Tex.R. Civ. P. 11, to be enforceable.
Denial of parent's access to juvenile
during confession not grounds for reversal on appeal.[Grant v. State](10-1-5C)
On January 27, 2010, the Waco Court of Appeals found that,
section 61.103 of the Texas Family Code provides that parents have a right
of access to their child, however, however, if the parent is denied the
right of access, the child may not raise that complaint on appeal.
In court's denial of juvenile's motion to
suppress his confession, no error was shown where no causal connection was
established.[Grant v. State](10-1-5B)
On January 27, 2010, the Waco Court of Appeals held that
trial court did not err in denying juvenile's motion to suppress since
juvenile had the burden of proving a causal connection between the alleged
violation of section 52.02(b) and his statement and no evidence of a causal
connection was presented.
In discretionary transfer proceeding,
probable cause was established of the juvenile as a party, by acting with the
intent to promote or assist the commission of the offense of murder.[Grant v.
State](10-1-5A)
On January 27, 2010, the Waco Court of Appeals held that in
a discretionary transfer preceding the juvenile court did not abuse its
discretion in finding sufficient facts and circumstances to warrant a
prudent person to believe that the suspect committed the offense of murder
as a party acting with intent to promote or assist the commission of the
offense.
By failing to argue
Confrontation Clause in trial, juvenile waived those objections on
appeal.[Robinson v. State](10-1-4)
In January 28, 2010, the Houston
Court of Appeals (14th Dist.), stated that when a party's
argument for admitting evidence could refer to either the Rules of Evidence
or the Confrontation Clause, he must specifically articulate that the
Confrontation Clause demands admission of the evidence to preserve error on
this ground.
Evidence was insufficient to
support finding that mother contributed to delinquency of the juvenile in
graffiti adjudication.[In the Matter of S.J.C.](10-1-3)
In January 6, 2010, the El Paso
Court of Appeals reversed a portion of a judgment finding that the evidence
was legally insufficient to support the trial court's finding that the
juvenile's mother by willful act or omission, contributed to, caused, or
encouraged the child's delinquent conduct.
Restitution allowed where damage
of vehicle occurred while child engaged in offense of evading arrest.[In the
Matter of E.A.R., IV](10-1-2)
On November 20, 2009, the Austin Court of Appeals
held that damage caused by juvenile committing the offense of evading arrest
was damage for which the juvenile was criminally responsible.
In a Motion to Suppress, a trial judge can base his pre-trial
ruling on the contents of an unsworn police report.[Ford v. State](10-1-01)
On October 21, 2009, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
reversed the judgment of the Court of Appeals and affirm the trial court's
judgment concluding that art. 28.01, § 1(6), does not mandate that all
information considered by a trial judge must be accompanied by affidavit or
testimony.