Texas Codes
Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01 (2026)
Purpose And Interpretation
✓ laws through the 89th Legislature (2025)
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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).
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 the Interest of D.Z., 869 S.W.2d 561 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1994). “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.—Corpus Christi 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 B.W., 313 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. 2010). “” Tex. Fam.Code § 51.01. The Court’s opinion removes B.”
Marsh v. State, 140 S.W.3d 901 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 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.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1996). “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.—El Paso 2001). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann § 51.01(1), (2)(A), and (4) (Vernon 1996).”
Roquemore v. State, 11 S.W.3d 395 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2000). “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.—Fort Worth 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.”
In re L.M., 993 S.W.2d 276 (Tex. App.—Austin 1999). “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.”
Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(1): 18 cases
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.”
In re J.L.H., 58 S.W.3d 242 (Tex. App.—El Paso 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.—Austin 1989).
Matter of J.S.S., 20 S.W.3d 837 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2000).
In re E.Q., 839 S.W.2d 144 (Tex. App.—Austin 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.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1991).
Moon, Cameron, 451 S.W.3d 28 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014).
Matter of TD, 817 S.W.2d 771 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1991).
Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(2)(A): 2 cases
In re D. M., 191 S.W.3d 381 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006).
In re DM, 191 S.W.3d 381 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006).
Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(2)(B): 4 cases
Roquemore v. State, 11 S.W.3d 395 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 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.—Austin 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.—Austin 1999).
Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(2)(C): 2 cases
In re M.J.A., 155 S.W.3d 575 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2004).
In re Mja, 155 S.W.3d 575 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2004).
Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(3): 8 cases
Roquemore v. State, 11 S.W.3d 395 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 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.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1984).
K.L.M. v. State, 881 S.W.2d 80 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1994).
In re of S.C., 790 S.W.2d 766 (Tex. App.—Austin 1990).
Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(5): 11 cases
In re L.R., 67 S.W.3d 332 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2001).
In re J.G., 195 S.W.3d 161 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2006).
In the Matter of E.R.L., a Juv., 109 S.W.3d 123 (Tex. App.—El Paso 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.—El Paso 2018).
Tex. Fam. Code § 51.01(6): 14 cases
In re J.B.M., 157 S.W.3d 823 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 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.—Corpus Christi 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.—El Paso 2002).
In re J.L.H., 58 S.W.3d 242 (Tex. App.—El Paso 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.—Waco 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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