Tex. Codes » Family Code · TITLE 3. JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE · CHAPTER 51. GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 51.02. DEFINITIONS. In this title:

(1) "Aggravated controlled substance felony" means an offense under Subchapter D, Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, that is punishable by:

(A) a minimum term of confinement that is longer than the minimum term of confinement for a felony of the first degree; or

(B) a maximum fine that is greater than the maximum fine for a felony of the first degree.

(2) "Child" means a person who is:

(A) ten years of age or older and under 17 years of age; or

(B) seventeen years of age or older and under 18 years of age who is alleged or found to have engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision as a result of acts committed before becoming 17 years of age.

(3) "Custodian" means the adult with whom the child resides.

(3-a) "Dual status child" means a child who has been referred to the juvenile justice system and is:

(A) in the temporary or permanent managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services;

(B) the subject of a case for which family-based safety services have been offered or provided by the department;

(C) an alleged victim of abuse or neglect in an open child protective investigation; or

(D) a victim in a case in which, after an investigation, the department concluded there was reason to believe the child was abused or neglected.

(4) "Guardian" means the person who, under court order, is the guardian of the person of the child or the public or private agency with whom the child has been placed by a court.

(5) "Judge" or "juvenile court judge" means the judge of a juvenile court.

(6) "Juvenile court" means a court designated under Section 51.04 of this code to exercise jurisdiction over proceedings under this title.

(7) "Law-enforcement officer" means a peace officer as defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(8) "Nonoffender" means a child who:

(A) is subject to jurisdiction of a court under abuse, dependency, or neglect statutes under Title 5 for reasons other than legally prohibited conduct of the child; or

(B) has been taken into custody and is being held solely for deportation out of the United States.

(8-a) "Nonsecure correctional facility" means a facility described by Section 51.126.

(9) "Parent" means the mother or the father of a child, but does not include a parent whose parental rights have been terminated.

(10) "Party" means the state, a child who is the subject of proceedings under this subtitle, or the child's parent, spouse, guardian, or guardian ad litem.

(11) "Prosecuting attorney" means the county attorney, district attorney, or other attorney who regularly serves in a prosecutory capacity in a juvenile court.

(12) "Referral to juvenile court" means the referral of a child or a child's case to the office or official, including an intake officer or probation officer, designated by the juvenile board to process children within the juvenile justice system.

(13) "Secure correctional facility" means any public or private residential facility, including an alcohol or other drug treatment facility, that:

(A) includes construction fixtures designed to physically restrict the movements and activities of juveniles or other individuals held in lawful custody in the facility; and

(B) is used for the placement of any juvenile who has been adjudicated as having committed an offense, any nonoffender, or any other individual convicted of a criminal offense.

(14) "Secure detention facility" means any public or private residential facility that:

(A) includes construction fixtures designed to physically restrict the movements and activities of juveniles or other individuals held in lawful custody in the facility; and

(B) is used for the temporary placement of any juvenile who is accused of having committed an offense, any nonoffender, or any other individual accused of having committed a criminal offense.

(15) "Status offender" means a child who is accused, adjudicated, or convicted for conduct that would not, under state law, be a crime if committed by an adult, including:

(A) running away from home under Section 51.03(b)(2);

(B) a fineable only offense under Section 51.03(b)(1) transferred to the juvenile court under Section 51.08(b), but only if the conduct constituting the offense would not have been criminal if engaged in by an adult;

(C) a violation of standards of student conduct as described by Section 51.03(b)(4);

(D) a violation of a provision of the Alcoholic Beverage Code applicable to minors only; or

(E) a violation of any other fineable only offense under Section 8.07(a)(4) or (5), Penal Code, but only if the conduct constituting the offense would not have been criminal if engaged in by an adult.

(16) "Traffic offense" means:

(A) a violation of a penal statute cognizable under Chapter 729, Transportation Code, except for conduct for which the person convicted may be sentenced to imprisonment or confinement in jail; or

(B) a violation of a motor vehicle traffic ordinance of an incorporated city or town in this state.

(17) "Valid court order" means a court order entered under Section 54.04 concerning a child adjudicated to have engaged in conduct indicating a need for supervision as a status offender.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2152, ch. 693, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 6.06, 30.182, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 822, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1013, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 41, 47, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 821, Sec. 2.02, eff. June 14, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 949 (H.B. 1575), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1187 (H.B. 3689), Sec. 4.004, eff. June 19, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1299 (H.B. 2862), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 934 (H.B. 3774), Sec. 4.02, eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 425 (H.B. 1819), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2023.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.046, eff. January 1, 2025.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 163 cases (52 in the last 5 years), 1980–2026 · leading case: Miller v. Alabama, 132 S. Ct. 2455 (2012).
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Miller v. Alabama, 132 S. Ct. 2455 (2012). · cites it 3× “In addition, life without parole is mandatory for older juveniles in Louisiana (age 15 and up) and Texas (age 17). See La.”
Martinez Ex Rel. Morales v. Bynum, 461 U.S. 321 (1983). · cites it 4× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 51.02 (4) (1975). [1] Section 21.”
Terrell v. State, 228 S.W.3d 343 (Tex. App. 2007). · cites it 4× “On appeal, Terrell contends that the pen packet affirmatively shows that he was sixteen at the time that offense was committed, and thus the judgment is void because Terrell was too young to be convicted of the offense.”
In re A.M., 577 S.W.3d 653 (Tex. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “See TEX. FAM. CODE §§ 51.02(2), 51.04(a). Family Code section 54.”
In re C.M.M., 503 S.W.3d 692 (Tex. App. 2016). “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 51.02 (2)(a), 51.03(a)(1), 51.”
In re S.G.R., 496 S.W.3d 235 (Tex. App. 2016). “Tex. Fam.Code §§ 51.02(2)(a), 51.03(a)(1), 51.”
In re B.W., 313 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. 2010). · cites it 5× “Tex. Fam. Code §§ 51.02(2), .04(a). Before trial, a State psychologist examined B.”
Millis Pub. Schs. v. M.P., 89 N.E.3d 1170 (Mass. 2018). · cites it 2× “§§ 37-1-102 (26), 37-1-132 ; Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 51.02 (15), 51.03(b), 54.”
Loving v. City of Houston, 282 S.W.3d 555 (Tex. App. 2009). · cites it 4× “" TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 51.02(2) (Vernon 2002).”
In re N.J. A., 997 S.W.2d 554 (Tex. 1999). · cites it 4× “Tex. Fam.Code § 51.02(2). Section 51.02(2) defines child as someone “under 18 years of age.”
In re J.W.W., 507 S.W.3d 408 (Tex. App. 2016). “2016) (first-degree felony offense); see also Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 51.02 (14) (Vernon Supp.”
Collins v. State, 516 S.W.3d 504 (Tex. App. 2017). “” See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 51.02 (West Supp. 2016) (Definitions); Black’s Law Dictionary 523 (9th ed.”
Show all 163 citing cases →
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(1) — 4 cases
In the Interest of A. D. L. C., 598 S.W.2d 383 (Tex. App. 1980).
G.A.O. v. State, 854 S.W.2d 710 (Tex. App. 1993).
Gao v. State, 854 S.W.2d 710 (Tex. App. 1993).
KLM v. State, 881 S.W.2d 80 (Tex. App. 1994).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(1)(A) — 1 case
Roth v. State, 917 S.W.2d 292 (Tex. App. 1995).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(10) — 3 cases
Brown v. Fullenweider, 7 S.W.3d 333 (Tex. App. 1999).
R.H. v. State, 905 S.W.2d 726 (Tex. App. 1995).
RH v. State, 905 S.W.2d 726 (Tex. App. 1995).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(11) — 2 cases
Untitled Texas Attorney Gen. Opinion: KP-0502 (Tex. Att'y Gen. 2025).
Moore, Aaron Jacob (Tex. App. 2015).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(13) — 2 cases
Dewey Dewayne Barrett v. State (Tex. App. 2021).
Ortiz, Orlando (Tex. Crim. App. 2021).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(2) — 54 cases
In re B.W., 313 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. 2010). “Tex. Fam. Code §§ 51.02(2), .04(a). Before trial, a State psychologist examined B.”
Loving v. City of Houston, 282 S.W.3d 555 (Tex. App. 2009). “" TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 51.02(2) (Vernon 2002).”
Terrell v. State, 228 S.W.3d 343 (Tex. App. 2007). “On appeal, Terrell contends that the pen packet affirmatively shows that he was sixteen at the time that offense was committed, and thus the judgment is void because Terrell was too young to be convicted of the offense.”
In re N.J. A., 997 S.W.2d 554 (Tex. 1999). “Tex. Fam.Code § 51.02(2). Section 51.02(2) defines child as someone “under 18 years of age.”
In re A.M., 577 S.W.3d 653 (Tex. App. 2019). “See TEX. FAM. CODE §§ 51.02(2), 51.04(a). Family Code section 54.”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(2)(A) — 32 cases
In re A.M., 577 S.W.3d 653 (Tex. App. 2019). “See TEX. FAM. CODE §§ 51.02(2), 51.04(a). Family Code section 54.”
Ex Parte Jacob Ryan Evans, 410 S.W.3d 481 (Tex. App. 2013).
Terrell v. State, 228 S.W.3d 343 (Tex. App. 2007). “On appeal, Terrell contends that the pen packet affirmatively shows that he was sixteen at the time that offense was committed, and thus the judgment is void because Terrell was too young to be convicted of the offense.”
In re B.W., 313 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. 2010). “Tex. Fam. Code §§ 51.02(2), .04(a). Before trial, a State psychologist examined B.”
In the Matter of E.D.C., a Juv., 88 S.W.3d 789 (Tex. App. 2002).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(2)(B) — 3 cases
Ramos v. State, 961 S.W.2d 637 (Tex. App. 1998).
In re N.J.A., 991 S.W.2d 868 (Tex. App. 1997).
Alexis Aguayo v. State (Tex. Crim. App. 2015).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(2)(a) — 6 cases
In re S.G.R., 496 S.W.3d 235 (Tex. App. 2016). “Tex. Fam.Code §§ 51.02(2)(a), 51.03(a)(1), 51.”
in the Matter of S. G. R. (Tex. App. 2016).
in the Matter of J. F. C. (Tex. App. 2017).
in the Matter of A.S.B., a Juv. (Tex. App. 2022).
in the Matter of I.M., a Juv. (Tex. App. 2022).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(2)(b) — 1 case
In the Matter of C.P.R. v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2023).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(3) — 1 case
Vann v. State, 93 S.W.3d 182 (Tex. App. 2002).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(6) — 1 case
Contreras v. State, 998 S.W.2d 656 (Tex. App. 1999).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(7) — 3 cases
Griego v. State, 853 S.W.2d 664 (Tex. App. 1993).
Vitek v. State, 754 S.W.2d 365 (Tex. App. 1988).
Untitled Texas Attorney Gen. Opinion: KP-0502 (Tex. Att'y Gen. 2025).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 51.02(a) — 1 case
Moore, Aaron Jacob (Tex. App. 2015).
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