Texas Codes

Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01 (2026)

Purpose And Interpretation

✓ current as of May 2026

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Sec. 51.01. PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION. This title shall be construed to effectuate the following public purposes:

(1) to provide for the protection of the public and public safety;

(2) consistent with the protection of the public and public safety:

(A) to promote the concept of punishment for criminal acts;

(B) to remove, where appropriate, the taint of criminality from children committing certain unlawful acts; and

(C) to provide treatment, training, and rehabilitation that emphasizes the accountability and responsibility of both the parent and the child for the child's conduct;

(3) to provide for the care, the protection, and the wholesome moral, mental, and physical development of children coming within its provisions;

(4) to protect the welfare of the community and to control the commission of unlawful acts by children;

(5) to achieve the foregoing purposes in a family environment whenever possible, separating the child from the child's parents only when necessary for the child's welfare or in the interest of public safety and when a child is removed from the child's family, to give the child the care that should be provided by parents; and

(6) to provide a simple judicial procedure through which the provisions of this title are executed and enforced and in which the parties are assured a fair hearing and their constitutional and other legal rights recognized and enforced.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 157 cases (19 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: Vega v. State, 84 S.W.3d 613 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002).

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Vega v. State, 84 S.W.3d 613 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). · cites it 8× “" Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 51.01 (1994). Unlike the language in art.”

In the Interest of D.Z., 869 S.W.2d 561 (Tex. App. 1994). · cites it 4× “1989); Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 51.01 (Vernon 1986). We believe applying the criminal harm standard to the disposition phase of a juvenile determinate sentencing proceeding is in accordance with the stated purpose of the juvenile code.”

In Re Hall, 286 S.W.3d 925 (Tex. 2009). “Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(1), (2), (3). This separate system often provides enhanced procedural protections to juvenile offenders, who, because of youth, ordinarily lack the mental and emotional maturity needed to navigate the Juvenile Justice Code and maintain an adequate defense.”

Vega v. State, 255 S.W.3d 87 (Tex. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “ses in a family environment whenever possible, separating the child from his parents only when necessary for his welfare or in the interest of public safety and when a child is removed from his family, to give him the care that should be provided by parents; and (5)to provide a…”

In re B.W., 313 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. 2010). · cites it 3× “” Tex. Fam.Code § 51.01. The Court’s opinion removes B.”

Marsh v. State, 140 S.W.3d 901 (Tex. App. 2004). “1999); see Tex. Fam.Code § 51.01. Police officers and other law enforcement personnel involved in handling juveniles are “bound to comply with the detailed and explicit procedures” of Title 3.”

S.D.G. v. State, 936 S.W.2d 371 (Tex. App. 1996). · cites it 3× “Wholesale application of the civil discovery rules in juvenile proceedings directly conflicts with the express provision in the Juvenile Justice Code that its purpose is “to provide a simple judicial procedure through which the provisions of this title are executed and…”

In re J.L.H., 58 S.W.3d 242 (Tex. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann § 51.01(1), (2)(A), and (4) (Vernon 1996).”

Roquemore v. State, 11 S.W.3d 395 (Tex. App. 2000). · cites it 2× “01(3)) (current version at Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 51.01(2)(B) (Vernon 1996)).”

In re J.B.M., 157 S.W.3d 823 (Tex. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “” Tex. Fam.Code ANN. § 51.01(6). . See generally, Justice Ed Kinkeade, Appellate Juvenile Justice in Texas — It’s a Crime! Or Should be, 51 Baylor L.”

In re L.M., 993 S.W.2d 276 (Tex. App. 1999). · cites it 2× “1975); Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 51.01 (West 1996). Aware of Gault , as well as the admonition in Haley v.”

Cornealius v. State, 870 S.W.2d 169 (Tex. App. 1994). “See Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 51.01; Vasquez, 739 S.”

Show all 157 citing cases →

— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(1) — 18 cases

In re J.L.H., 58 S.W.3d 242 (Tex. App. 2001). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann § 51.01(1), (2)(A), and (4) (Vernon 1996).”

R.L.H., Matter Of, 771 S.W.2d 697 (Tex. App. 1989).

Matter of J.S.S., 20 S.W.3d 837 (Tex. App. 2000).

In re E.Q., 839 S.W.2d 144 (Tex. App. 1992).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(2) — 4 cases

Vega v. State, 84 S.W.3d 613 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). “" Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 51.01 (1994). Unlike the language in art.”

In re T.D., 817 S.W.2d 771 (Tex. App. 1991).

Moon, Cameron, 451 S.W.3d 28 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014).

Matter of TD, 817 S.W.2d 771 (Tex. App. 1991).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(2)(A) — 2 cases

In re D. M., 191 S.W.3d 381 (Tex. App. 2006).

In Re Dm, 191 S.W.3d 381 (Tex. App. 2006).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(2)(B) — 4 cases

Roquemore v. State, 11 S.W.3d 395 (Tex. App. 2000). “01(3)) (current version at Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 51.01(2)(B) (Vernon 1996)).”

In re L.M., 993 S.W.2d 276 (Tex. App. 1999). “1975); Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 51.01 (West 1996). Aware of Gault , as well as the admonition in Haley v.”

Moon, Cameron, 451 S.W.3d 28 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014).

In Re Lm, 993 S.W.2d 276 (Tex. App. 1999).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(2)(C) — 2 cases

In re M.J.A., 155 S.W.3d 575 (Tex. App. 2004).

In Re Mja, 155 S.W.3d 575 (Tex. App. 2004).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(3) — 8 cases

Roquemore v. State, 11 S.W.3d 395 (Tex. App. 2000). “01(3)) (current version at Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 51.01(2)(B) (Vernon 1996)).”

In re B.W., 313 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. 2010). “” Tex. Fam.Code § 51.01. The Court’s opinion removes B.”

Vasquez v. State, 663 S.W.2d 16 (Tex. App. 1984).

K.L.M. v. State, 881 S.W.2d 80 (Tex. App. 1994).

In re of S.C., 790 S.W.2d 766 (Tex. App. 1990).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(5) — 11 cases

In re L.R., 67 S.W.3d 332 (Tex. App. 2001).

In re J.G., 195 S.W.3d 161 (Tex. App. 2006).

In the Matter of E.R.L., a Juv., 109 S.W.3d 123 (Tex. App. 2003).

In re J. R. C., 522 S.W.2d 579 (Tex. App. 1975).

In re J.C.C., 538 S.W.3d 183 (Tex. App. 2018).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(6) — 14 cases

In re J.B.M., 157 S.W.3d 823 (Tex. App. 2005). “” Tex. Fam.Code ANN. § 51.01(6). . See generally, Justice Ed Kinkeade, Appellate Juvenile Justice in Texas — It’s a Crime! Or Should be, 51 Baylor L.”

Vega v. State, 255 S.W.3d 87 (Tex. App. 2008). “ses in a family environment whenever possible, separating the child from his parents only when necessary for his welfare or in the interest of public safety and when a child is removed from his family, to give him the care that should be provided by parents; and (5)to provide a…”

In re D.A.R., 73 S.W.3d 505 (Tex. App. 2002).

In re J.L.H., 58 S.W.3d 242 (Tex. App. 2001). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann § 51.01(1), (2)(A), and (4) (Vernon 1996).”

In re M.P., 220 S.W.3d 99 (Tex. App. 2007).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(8) — 1 case

In re B.W., 313 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. 2010). “” Tex. Fam.Code § 51.01. The Court’s opinion removes B.”

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