Tex. Codes » Family Code · TITLE 3. JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE · CHAPTER 54. JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
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Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11 (2026)

Release Or Transfer Hearing

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Sec. 54.11. RELEASE OR TRANSFER HEARING. (a) On receipt of a referral under Section 244.014(a), Human Resources Code, for the transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice of a person committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department under Section 54.04(d)(3), 54.04(m), or 54.05(f), on receipt of a request by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department under Section 245.051(d), Human Resources Code, for approval of the release under supervision of a person committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department under Section 54.04(d)(3), 54.04(m), or 54.05(f), or on receipt of a referral under Section 152.0016(g) or (j), Human Resources Code, the court shall set a time and place for a hearing on the possible transfer or release of the person, as applicable.

(b) The court shall notify the following of the time and place of the hearing:

(1) the person to be transferred or released under supervision;

(2) the parents of the person;

(3) any legal custodian of the person, including the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or a juvenile board or local juvenile probation department if the child is committed to a post-adjudication secure correctional facility;

(4) the office of the prosecuting attorney that represented the state in the juvenile delinquency proceedings;

(5) the victim of the offense that was included in the delinquent conduct that was a ground for the disposition, or a member of the victim's family; and

(6) any other person who has filed a written request with the court to be notified of a release hearing with respect to the person to be transferred or released under supervision.

(c) Except for the person to be transferred or released under supervision and the prosecuting attorney, the failure to notify a person listed in Subsection (b) of this section does not affect the validity of a hearing conducted or determination made under this section if the record in the case reflects that the whereabouts of the persons who did not receive notice were unknown to the court and a reasonable effort was made by the court to locate those persons.

(d) At a hearing under this section the court may consider written reports and supporting documents from probation officers, professional court employees, guardians ad litem appointed under Section 51.11(d), professional consultants, employees of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, or employees of a post-adjudication secure correctional facility in addition to the testimony of witnesses. On or before the fifth day before the date of the hearing, the court shall provide the attorney for the person to be transferred or released under supervision with access to all written matter to be considered by the court. All written matter is admissible in evidence at the hearing.

(e) At the hearing, the person to be transferred or released under supervision is entitled to an attorney, to examine all witnesses against him, to present evidence and oral argument, and to previous examination of all reports on and evaluations and examinations of or relating to him that may be used in the hearing.

(f) A hearing under this section is open to the public unless the person to be transferred or released under supervision waives a public hearing with the consent of his attorney and the court.

(g) A hearing under this section must be recorded by a court reporter or by audio or video tape recording, and the record of the hearing must be retained by the court for at least two years after the date of the final determination on the transfer or release of the person by the court.

(h) The hearing on a person who is referred for transfer under Section 152.0016(j) or 244.014(a), Human Resources Code, shall be held not later than the 60th day after the date the court receives the referral.

(i) On conclusion of the hearing on a person who is referred for transfer under Section 152.0016(j) or 244.014(a), Human Resources Code, the court may, as applicable, order:

(1) the return of the person to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or post-adjudication secure correctional facility; or

(2) the transfer of the person to the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the completion of the person's sentence.

(j) On conclusion of the hearing on a person who is referred for release under supervision under Section 152.0016(g) or 245.051(c), Human Resources Code, the court may, as applicable, order the return of the person to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or post-adjudication secure correctional facility:

(1) with approval for the release of the person under supervision; or

(2) without approval for the release of the person under supervision.

(k) In making a determination under this section, the court may consider the experiences and character of the person before and after commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or post-adjudication secure correctional facility, the nature of the penal offense that the person was found to have committed and the manner in which the offense was committed, the abilities of the person to contribute to society, the protection of the victim of the offense or any member of the victim's family, the recommendations of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, county juvenile board, local juvenile probation department, and prosecuting attorney, the best interests of the person, and any other factor relevant to the issue to be decided.

(l) Pending the conclusion of a transfer hearing, the juvenile court shall order that the person who is referred for transfer be detained in a certified juvenile detention facility as provided by Subsection (m). If the person is at least 17 years of age, the juvenile court may order that the person be detained without bond in an appropriate county facility for the detention of adults accused of criminal offenses.

(m) The detention of a person in a certified juvenile detention facility must comply with the detention requirements under this title, except that, to the extent practicable, the person must be kept separate from children detained in the same facility.

(n) If the juvenile court orders that a person who is referred for transfer be detained in a county facility under Subsection (l), the county sheriff shall take custody of the person under the juvenile court's order.

(o) In this section, "post-adjudication secure correctional facility" has the meaning assigned by Section 54.04011.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 385, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 574, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 46, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 29, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 1969), Sec. 25.058, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 653), Sec. 3.007, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1299 (H.B. 2862), Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1323 (S.B. 511), Sec. 6, eff. December 1, 2013.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 854 (S.B. 1149), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 971 (S.B. 2049), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2021.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 171 cases (33 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: In re N.K.M., 387 S.W.3d 859 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012).
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In re N.K.M., 387 S.W.3d 859 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 54.11 (a), amended by Act of May 19, 2011, sec.”
In re Hall, 286 S.W.3d 925 (Tex. 2009). “See Tex. Fam.Code § 54.11(a) (requiring juvenile courts to conduct a hearing assessing an offender’s transfer status).”
In re D.B., 457 S.W.3d 536 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2015). · cites it 5× “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 54.11 (West 2014); Tex.”
In re D.L., 198 S.W.3d 228 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2006). · cites it 3× “11(d) allows the court to consider TYC reports: [T]he court may consider written reports from probation officers, professional court employees, professional consultants, or employees of the Texas Youth Commission, in addition to the testimony of witnesses.”
In re S.M., 207 S.W.3d 421 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006). · cites it 5× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon Supp.2006).”
J.R.W. v. State, 879 S.W.2d 254 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1994). · cites it 4× “See Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon Supp. 1994).”
K.L.M. v. State, 881 S.W.2d 80 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1994). · cites it 5× “See Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon Supp. 1994).”
in the Matter of L.G.G., a Juv., 398 S.W.3d 852 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2012). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (West Supp. 2012).”
In re D.S., 921 S.W.2d 383 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1996). · cites it 4× “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11(d) (Vernon Pamph.”
In re J.D.P., 149 S.W.3d 790 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004). · cites it 3× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon Supp.2004); Tex.”
In re J.B.L., 318 S.W.3d 544 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2010). · cites it 6× “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 54.11 (i)(2) (Vernon Supp.”
Matter of H.V.R., 974 S.W.2d 213 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998). · cites it 6× “Laws 1891 , 1896 (amended 1995) (current version at Tex Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon 1996)).”
Show all 171 citing cases →
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(1): 1 case
In the Matter of J.A.R., a Juv., 343 S.W.3d 504 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2011).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(I): 1 case
In re Jar, 343 S.W.3d 504 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2011).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(a): 22 cases
In re Hall, 286 S.W.3d 925 (Tex. 2009). “See Tex. Fam.Code § 54.11(a) (requiring juvenile courts to conduct a hearing assessing an offender’s transfer status).”
in the Matter of L.G.G., a Juv., 398 S.W.3d 852 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2012). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (West Supp. 2012).”
K.L.M. v. State, 881 S.W.2d 80 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1994). “See Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon Supp. 1994).”
In re J. J., 276 S.W.3d 171 (Tex. App.—Austin 2008).
KLM v. State, 881 S.W.2d 80 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1994).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(b): 5 cases
In re J.L.S., 47 S.W.3d 128 (Tex. App.—Waco 2001).
In re D.L., 198 S.W.3d 228 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2006). “11(d) allows the court to consider TYC reports: [T]he court may consider written reports from probation officers, professional court employees, professional consultants, or employees of the Texas Youth Commission, in addition to the testimony of witnesses.”
In re JLS, 47 S.W.3d 128 (Tex. App.—Waco 2001).
In re Dl, 198 S.W.3d 228 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2006).
in the Matter of D.B., No. 06-14-00053-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana Jan. 28, 2015).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(b)(1): 1 case
In re RG, 994 S.W.2d 309 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1999).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(b)(2): 3 cases
in the Matter of E. v. a Juv., 225 S.W.3d 231 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2006).
In re Ev, 225 S.W.3d 231 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2006).
in the Matter of D.B., No. 06-14-00053-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana Jan. 28, 2015).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(b)(3): 1 case
In re J. B., a Juv., No. 12-13-00270-CV (Tex. App.—Tyler June 11, 2014).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(b)(5): 2 cases
in the Matter of R.O., a Juv., No. 06-16-00040-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana Jan. 27, 2017).
in the Matter of D.B., No. 06-14-00053-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana Jan. 28, 2015).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(c): 2 cases
Matter of J.E.H., 972 S.W.2d 928 (Tex. App. 1998).
Matter of JEH, 972 S.W.2d 928 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1998).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(d): 34 cases
In re S.M., 207 S.W.3d 421 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon Supp.2006).”
In re D.S., 921 S.W.2d 383 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1996). “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11(d) (Vernon Pamph.”
In the Matter of C.D.T., III, 98 S.W.3d 280 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003).
In re Sm, 207 S.W.3d 421 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006).
In re D.L., 198 S.W.3d 228 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2006). “11(d) allows the court to consider TYC reports: [T]he court may consider written reports from probation officers, professional court employees, professional consultants, or employees of the Texas Youth Commission, in addition to the testimony of witnesses.”
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(e): 2 cases
Matter of J.E.H., 972 S.W.2d 928 (Tex. App. 1998).
Matter of JEH, 972 S.W.2d 928 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1998).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(f): 1 case
Matter of J.E.H., 972 S.W.2d 928 (Tex. App. 1998).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(f)(2): 1 case
In re R.D.B., 20 S.W.3d 255 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2000).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(h): 12 cases
Matter of H.V.R., 974 S.W.2d 213 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998). “Laws 1891 , 1896 (amended 1995) (current version at Tex Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon 1996)).”
R.L.H., Matter Of, 771 S.W.2d 697 (Tex. App.—Austin 1989).
S.B.C. Matter Of, 805 S.W.2d 1 (Tex. App.—Tyler 1991).
C.D.R. v. State, 827 S.W.2d 589 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1992).
Matter of T.D.H., 971 S.W.2d 606 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1998).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(i): 20 cases
In re M.R., 5 S.W.3d 879 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999).
J.R.W. v. State, 879 S.W.2d 254 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1994). “See Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon Supp. 1994).”
In re S.M., 207 S.W.3d 421 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon Supp.2006).”
Matter of T.D.H., 971 S.W.2d 606 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1998).
In re E.Q., 839 S.W.2d 144 (Tex. App.—Austin 1992).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(i)(2): 9 cases
In re of S.C., 790 S.W.2d 766 (Tex. App.—Austin 1990).
In re JBL, 318 S.W.3d 544 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2010).
In re RDB, 20 S.W.3d 255 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2000).
Matter of SC, 790 S.W.2d 766 (Tex. App.—Austin 1990).
in the Matter of C. Z., No. 03-17-00665-CV (Tex. App.—Austin May 16, 2018).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(i)(j): 1 case
in the Matter of J. T. D., a Juv., No. 12-20-00162-CV (Tex. App.—Tyler May 12, 2021).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(j): 10 cases
K.L.M. v. State, 881 S.W.2d 80 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1994). “See Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11 (Vernon Supp. 1994).”
C.D.R. v. State, 827 S.W.2d 589 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1992).
In re J.G., 905 S.W.2d 676 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1995).
KLM v. State, 881 S.W.2d 80 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1994).
In the Matter of C.G., a Juv., 219 S.W.3d 548 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2007).
Tex. Fam. Code § 54.11(k): 55 cases
In re N.K.M., 387 S.W.3d 859 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012). “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 54.11 (a), amended by Act of May 19, 2011, sec.”
In re J.B.L., 318 S.W.3d 544 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2010). “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 54.11 (i)(2) (Vernon Supp.”
In re J.L.C., 160 S.W.3d 312 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2005).
In re R.G., 994 S.W.2d 309 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1999).
In re D.S., 921 S.W.2d 383 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1996). “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 54.11(d) (Vernon Pamph.”
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