WACO, Texas — A new Texas law on the books creates an alternative to fines for minors charged with Class C misdemeanors.
House Bill 3186, signed into law last month, allows minors with petty offenses that do not amount to felony charges the chance to enroll in a diversion program.
McLennan County District Attorney Josh Tetens said the program can be coordinated through school, with a non-profit in the community or by other means, but that it provides juvenile prosecutors and municipal courts with another tool.
"Whatever we can try to do to address the delinquency early on and try to prevent them from moving up through the system," Tetens said. "Avoid them making a worse decision and having crimes that are more severe on their records."
Tetens said the early intervention offers solutions to juvenile offenders and can pair them with organizations that will try to "divert them off that path."
"We've taken a very keen interest in addressing juvenile violence in our community and juvenile offenses across the board," Tetens said. "This is just one more tool that our office has and municipalities have to reach these kids at an early, young age and prevent them from getting involved in criminal activity that could ultimately lead to their detention."
Tetens said the program is not designed for violent offenders, juvenile or otherwise, and those offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by his office.
"McLennan County is very fortunate with all the resources in this community," Tetens said. "This new law is more of an education, a reminder that this is a resource, use it."
Among community resources Tetens named are VOICE, the Advocacy Center in Waco and the Boys and Girls Club.
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