(TJJD) Youth Handbook - Texas Juvenile Justice Department

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Who has access to juvenile records?While juvenile records are generally confidential, there are some exceptions. Lawenforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice officials in Texas andelsewhere can see your record. Also, it may be available to some people whenyou apply for a job, school, or professional license.What is the automatic restriction of access to records system?Texas has a system that limits access to your juvenile records after you turn 21 ifyou don’t commit any more crimes after you turn 17. The system is calledautomatic restriction of access to records. This is not the same as having yourrecords sealed or destroyed.Under automatic restriction of access to records, your records stay in place, butfewer people can see them. They are available only to criminal justice agenciesfor things like investigating job applicants and prosecuting crimes. For all otherinquiries the holder of the records has to say your records “do not exist.” You canalso legally deny you were ever arrested, prosecuted or adjudicated for a crime.How do a juvenile's records become eligible for restricted access?For restricted access, you don’t have to do anything special like hiring a lawyer orgoing to court. It happens automatically when you turn 21 if, since your 17 thbirthday, you have not received deferred adjudication for or been convicted inadult court of a Class A or B misdemeanor or a felony. If you meet theserequirements, you get a fresh start at age 21 without harm from a past juvenilerecord. But remember, this only happens if you don’t commit any new crimes. Ifyou commit a crime after turning 21, your records are taken off restricted access.What records are not eligible for restricted access?Juvenile records that are not eligible for restricted access are cases that werehandled as determinate sentences, certified (transferred) to adult criminal court,or prosecuted in justice or municipal court.What about sentenced offender records?Cases handled as determinate sentences are not eligible for restricted access.88
What about gang records?Information about gang activity is maintained by DPS in a gang book. Theserecords are exempt from restricted access because they are already limited tocriminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes.What about sex offender records?Sex offender registration records are not included in the restricted accesssystem. If you are a registered juvenile sex offender, you may have a right tohave your records sealed once the obligation to register expires. Also, there areother legal proceedings that may allow reconsideration of your obligation toregister. Talk to your parole officer or speak to a lawyer for more information.How does the restricted access records system benefit me?If your records are placed on restricted access, you can deny the existence of thejuvenile record and deny you were arrested, prosecuted, or adjudicated.For example, once your juvenile records are on restricted access, you maylegally answer, “No” when you are asked on an application for a job, school, orlicensing, “Have you ever been arrested, convicted or adjudicated of a crime?"It is important to understand that if you commit a crime after turning 17, yourjuvenile records can’t be restricted. In this case, you can’t deny the existence ofyour record. If you do, you may be prosecuted for perjury (not telling the truth).What if I want to be notified when and if my records are restricted?If you want to receive notification when and if records are on restricted access,you have to tell the TJJD Youth Records Department before you turn 21 andkeep TJJD updated with your current address.Should I try to get my records sealed or destroyed?Having your records sealed or destroyed does offer you extra benefits and maybe the preferred course of action. To have your record sealed, you have to start aformal court action and may need a lawyer. Also, if you have criminal records in ajustice or municipal court, special expungement procedures apply.LOOKING AHEADTAKING RESPONSIBILITY & DEFINING YOUR FUTURE89
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Be in the right place at theright t
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IMPORTANT NUMBERSOrientation for Bo
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WHAT’S INSIDE MY HANDBOOK?Introdu
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INTRODUCTIONHi. My name is Jason. Y
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MY DAILY LIFE AT TJJDFacility Intak
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ContrabandContraband is anything yo
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Keeping in TouchTexas law makes it
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You are allowed visits from your at
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Making a Sick Call RequestYou can m
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family to determine how serious you
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MY BASIC RIGHTSJust because you are
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MY PARENTS’ BILL OF RIGHTSWe talk
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BASIC THINGS TJJD EXPECTS OF MEAs y
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2. Orientation andAssessmentThe fir
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6. ParoleMost youth are assigned to
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Assessment RatingThe second part of
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MY CoNEXTions © TREATMENT PROGRAMT
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OrientationDuring orientation, you
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Multi-Disciplinary Team and Case Pl
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You’ll be better at some subjects
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High School Diploma (Minimum HighSc
Page 45 and 46: Career and Technology Courses - Ear
Page 47 and 48: 3. The John C. Wende Trust Fund - T
Page 49 and 50: These numbers get averaged together
Page 51 and 52: Determining your privileges is not
Page 53 and 54: 7) Scheduled Behavior Groups - staf
Page 55 and 56: superintendent. It must happen in p
Page 57 and 58: You can be sent to security when yo
Page 59 and 60: • You have recently attempted to
Page 61 and 62: (13) Possession of Prohibited Items
Page 63 and 64: (5) Gang Activity - This is doing a
Page 65 and 66: 6. You cannot be denied: meals or s
Page 67 and 68: If you stay out of trouble, you don
Page 69 and 70: staff can give you a minor discipli
Page 71 and 72: The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PR
Page 73 and 74: Preserve evidence: If the assault h
Page 75 and 76: Tell:a case manager, JCO, campus ad
Page 77 and 78: Remember - never lie! Don’t make
Page 79 and 80: MOVING TO MEDIUM SECURITYYou may no
Page 81 and 82: RELEASE & DISCHARGE(NON-SENTENCED O
Page 83 and 84: Panel extends your time, you will g
Page 85 and 86: RELEASE & DISCHARGE(SENTENCED OFFEN
Page 87 and 88: Avoiding Transfer to TDCJ-ID (Priso
Page 89 and 90: can be "used against you" in the pu
Page 91 and 92: efore they get out of hand. At firs
Page 93 and 94: INDEPENDENT LIVINGSometimes TJJD yo
Page 95: MY JUVENILE RECORDSConfidentialityS
Page 99 and 100: CTE (Career and Technology Educatio
Page 101: YRS (Youth Rights Specialist) - Thi
Page 104: TexasJuvenileJusticeDepartmentTJJD
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(TJJD) Youth Handbook - Texas Juvenile Justice Department

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