Facing criminal charges can be one of the most stressful and challenging experiences of your life. Jerry Michael Acosta is dedicated and experienced with Juvenile Violent Crimes Defense Law in Texas and is committed to providing you with the highest level of legal representation. JMA ensures that your rights are protected and that you receive a fair trial.

Juvenile Sex Crimes Defense in Texas

Few situations are more frightening for a family than learning their child has been charged with a sex crime. The stigma is immediate, the legal consequences are severe, and the process moves quickly. Whether the charge stems from a misunderstanding between teenagers, an online interaction, or a more serious allegation, your child deserves a vigorous, experienced defense. A juvenile sex crime charge does not have to define your child’s future.

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Attorney Jerry Acosta has more than 20 years of experience in Texas juvenile law and brings a perspective that is rare in any courtroom: he has also served as a judge. That experience on the bench gives him a deep understanding of how juvenile courts evaluate cases, what judges look for, and how to build the most effective defense for your child. He has been named a Super Lawyer for 10 consecutive years, a recognition earned by fewer than five percent of attorneys in the state.

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How Texas Handles Juvenile Sex Crime
 

Texas takes sex crime allegations involving juveniles seriously, and the juvenile justice system responds accordingly. Depending on the nature and severity of the charge, your child may face:
 

• Detention in a juvenile facility
• Probation with strict supervision conditions
• Mandatory sex offender treatment programs
• Placement in a residential facility
• Commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD)
• Transfer to adult court for serious offenses

• A determinate sentence that can extend into adulthood

• Registration as a sex offender

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​Sex offender registration is one of the most devastating consequences a juvenile can face. It affects where your child can live, attend school, and work, and it follows them far beyond the courtroom. Fighting to avoid registration is a central priority in every juvenile sex crime defense we handle.

Common Juvenile Sex Crime Charges in Texas
 

Juveniles can face a wide range of sex crime charges under Texas law. Some of the most common include:
 

• Indecency with a Child: sexual contact or exposure involving a minor
• Aggravated Sexual Assault: non-consensual sexual contact involving force, a weapon, or a young child
• Sexual Assault: non-consensual sexual contact without the aggravating factors above
• Online Solicitation of a Minor: using electronic communication to solicit a minor for sexual purposes
• Possession or Distribution of Child Pornography: accessing, sharing, or possessing sexually explicit material involving minors

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Each charge carries its own legal elements, potential penalties, and defense strategies. An attorney who understands these distinctions is essential to building an effective defense.

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The Risk of Sex Offender Registration
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One of the most serious consequences of a juvenile sex crime adjudication in Texas is the possibility of sex offender registration. Under certain circumstances, a juvenile adjudicated for a sexual offense may be required to register, even while in the juvenile system. Registration can impact every aspect of your child’s life, including where they live, where they go to school, and their ability to find employment as an adult.

In some cases, registration can be avoided or later removed. We fight from the very first day to protect your child from this outcome and pursue every available legal avenue to keep registration off the table.

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Can a Juvenile Be Tried as an Adult for a Sex Crime?
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Yes. Texas law allows juveniles who are 14 or older to be certified to stand trial as adults for serious sex offenses. If your child is tried as an adult and convicted, they face adult criminal penalties, including significant prison time and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration.

Preventing certification to adult court is often the most urgent priority in a juvenile sex crime case. As a former judge, Jerry Acosta understands exactly how these hearings are evaluated and what arguments carry the most weight. We fight aggressively at every certification hearing to keep your child in the juvenile system, where the emphasis is on treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment.
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Unique Challenges in Juvenile Sex Crime Cases
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Juvenile sex crime cases often involve dynamics that make them more complex than other charges:

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• Allegations between teenagers who were in a romantic or sexual relationship

• Conduct that occurred online or through social media
• Accusations based on the word of one person with no physical evidence
• Misunderstandings about consent, age, or the nature of the conduct
• Statements your child may have made to police or school officials without understanding their rights

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These factors don’t make the charges disappear, but they are critically important to how the case is investigated and defended. We take the time to understand every detail of what happened and build a defense strategy tailored to the specific facts.

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How Jerry Acosta Defends Juvenile Sex Crime Cases

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From the moment we are retained, we work to protect your child. Our approach includes:

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• Conducting an independent investigation of the allegations
• Reviewing all physical and digital evidence
• Challenging the credibility and consistency of witness statements
• Examining how law enforcement gathered evidence and whether your child’s rights were violated
• Consulting with experts in forensics, child psychology, or digital evidence when appropriate
• Arguing against certification to adult court

• Negotiating for treatment-based alternatives to detention or commitment
• Fighting to keep sex offender registration off the table

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Our goal is to resolve the case in the way that best protects your child’s freedom, record, and future.

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Why Families in Houston Trust Us
 

Jerry Acosta has spent more than 20 years defending juveniles in the Texas court system. His experience as a former judge gives him insight into how courts approach these cases that very few defense attorneys can offer. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for 10 consecutive years and is an active member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, the Houston Bar Association, the Mexican-American Bar Association, and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

When your child’s future is at stake, you need an attorney who has dedicated their career to juvenile law and who has the credentials and courtroom experience to back it up.

Protecting Your Child’s Record
 

In many juvenile sex crime cases, it is possible to pursue sealing or expunction of records after the case is resolved and conditions are met. This can give your child a genuine opportunity to move forward as an adult without the permanent burden of a juvenile adjudication. We advise every family on these options from the start and actively pursue them at the appropriate time.