REPRESENTING THE JUVENILE CLIENT:
Because even good children can sometimes find themselves in trouble and all children deserve to be treated justly and fairly, I believe it is crucial that children receive zealous and professional legal representation in juvenile court and it is for this reason that I have chosen to make Juvenile Law a part of my practice.
Children who are alleged to have engaged in delinquent conduct and summoned into the juvenile courts of the State of Texas, are generally accused of the types of misconduct that would result in criminal charges if committed by someone seventeen years of age or older. Further, depending on the nature of the misconduct and the history of the child, there can be significant consequences for children within the juvenile justice system. Accordingly, it is important for children and parents to take the juvenile court experience very seriously and it is the lawyer’s responsibility to thoroughly advise families regarding the State’s case against the child, the child’s rights and the options for resolution. I believe that it is only with a thorough understanding of these matters that families can make the necessary decisions that will lead to fair and just treatment of the child.
Recognizing that children’s attitudes toward their juvenile court experience and their perceptions of the fairness of the process are often major factors in how well they deal with that experience, I believe that it is my responsibility, where appropriate, to assist children to appreciate the consequences of their actions and to learn from their mistakes. In this spirit I am committed to helping children and their families through the sometimes confusing and intimidating juvenile court experience in hope that children might avoid future legal problems and grow into responsible and law abiding adults.
J. Gordon Dees
Member: Texas State Bar Juvenile Law Section & Houston Bar Association Juvenile Law Section
