Juvie vs. Jail vs. Prison: How Are They Different?
The three primary kinds of involuntary confinement serve different purposes in Texas.
In some ways, juvie, jail, and prison are identical. All three involve involuntary confinement following a criminal conviction. In other ways, juvie, jail, and prison are significantly different. These differences involve the purpose and length of detention, as well as the age group of the detainees. More on these things below.
A Ft.Worth criminal defense lawyer helps people avoid juvie, jail, or prison. Most criminal cases have procedural, substantive, and/or affirmative defenses that help defendants avoid punishment altogether. In other cases, probation or another form of supervised release is usually available. Some types of probation do not leave a mark on the defendant’s permanent record. Come what may, a Ft. Worth criminal defense lawyer is always committed to the best possible result under the circumstances.
Juvie in Texas
Judges often sentence repeat violent juvenile offenders or serious juvenile offenders (murder, sexual assault, etc.) to confinement in a juvenile detention center.
Roughly a dozen registered juvenile facilities are in the Lone Star State. The closest one is the Ross Juvenile Detention Center on Kimbo Road. Ross is basically a juvenile justice holding cell. Most inmates are awaiting trial. The most remote facility is The Oaks in Brownwood. The Oaks, a privately-run facility, is also mostly a pre-conviction detention center, although some convicted juveniles serve time there as well.
These two facilities illustrate some of the differences among different state-run juvenile justice facilities. The security level varies as well. Some juvie centers are basically secure halfway houses or boarding schools. Others are more secure facilities that resemble jails or prisons.
Rehabilitation is a top priority in the Texas juvenile justice system. Therefore, except in extreme cases, juvenile judges usually sentence juvenile offenders to the least secure and closest facility possible. This arrangement makes it easier for these offenders to re-integrate into society and also makes it easier for family members to visit.
Speaking of family members, when a child goes through the juvenile justice system, the whole family goes through the system as well. If the caregivers demonstrate a commitment to rehabilitation and accept some responsibility for the situation, judges usually look more favorably upon the case.
Jail in Tarrant County
Many Tarrant County jail inmates are unsentenced defendants awaiting trial. These defendants often have jail release options, such as:
- Cash Bond: If the defendant pays the entire bond amount in cash, the sheriff usually releases the defendant pending trial, if the defendant complies with all conditions of release. These conditions often include remaining in the county, avoiding further legal trouble, and above all, attending all required court hearings.
- Bail Bond: Cash bond is often too expensive to pay, even in misdemeanor cases. A bail bond may be available in such cases. If the defendant pays about a 10 or 15 percent premium, the bonding company posts the entire amount and assumes the financial risk in the event of bond forfeiture.
By law, convicted county jail inmates must be sentenced to twelve months or less. The sheriff usually offers early release for good behavior.
Additionally, in addition to straight time, some supervised release hybrid options are usually available. Weekend inmates check in on Friday evening and are released on Sunday afternoon. They usually receive three days’ credit for the two-plus days they stay behind bars. Work release programs may be available as well.
Prisons in Texas
All convicted felons serve their time in a Texas prison. Convicted felons are the only inmates in Texas prisons. These facilities vary in security level, from minimum to maximum security.
Most juvie and jail inmates serve their entire sentences at the same facility. But the prison system frequently moves prison inmates, to discourage gangs.
It’s also worth noting that Texas has one of the lowest per capita prison budgets in the United States, meaning that conditions are often sub-par. However, most prisons offer at least some rehabilitation programs, such as substance abuse treatment, English lessons, or GED classes.
Reach Out to a Compassionate Tarrant County Attorney
The Texas criminal justice system features different pre- and post-conviction detention facilities. For a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Ft. Worth, contact the Law Office of Kyle Whitaker by calling 817-332-7703 or going online now. We routinely handle these matters throughout North Texas.