Juvenile defense
Houston Juvenile Defense Attorney for Complex & High-Profile Cases
Mike Schneider defends Houston teenagers facing juvenile charges, and he begins by telling parents something few realize: a juvenile case is heard in family court, but the charge against your child functions like a criminal charge. It can mean detention, a permanent record, or transfer to adult criminal court. The case is filed in family court, but this doesn’t mean the stakes are lower.
Most parents who call Mike are in this position for the first time. Their son or daughter may never have been in trouble before, making the police report or school referral even more confusing. The system is built in a way that makes it hard for a first-time family to see clearly.
Mike doesn’t just practice in this system. As a Harris County prosecutor and later as a sitting judge, he founded the first Juvenile Drug Court in Harris County and created the Harris County Juvenile Human Trafficking Court, known as CARE Court. He built the Juvenile Sealing Program with the Houston Bar Association and the University of Houston Law Center and created myvoiceincourt.org, an online resource for Texas foster children navigating the courts. No attorney defending juvenile cases in Houston today has built more of the infrastructure your child’s case will move through.
Who Mike Defends
- A first arrest or police contact, often the family's first experience with the justice system in any form
- Delinquent conduct allegations involving drugs, alcohol, theft, assault, weapons, or property offenses
- Conduct indicating a need for supervision, including truancy and runaway allegations
- School-related incidents that have been referred to law enforcement rather than handled administratively
- Technology-related allegations, including cyberbullying, harassment, and offenses involving devices or social media
- Cases where the state is seeking or has threatened certification to adult criminal court
- Families who need a second opinion after retaining another attorney, or who need help understanding a plea offering before signing anything
Mike defends Houston-area families whose teenagers are facing any of the above. He also consults with other family law and defense attorneys handling juvenile matters who want the perspective of someone who has sat on the bench in these exact cases.
The Juvenile Court Distinction
Although your child’s case is in family court, the charge is not a family law matter.
Juvenile cases in Texas are governed by Title 3 of the Texas Family Code, the Juvenile Justice Code, and are heard by family court judges rather than criminal court judges. That leads many parents to assume the process will feel more like a custody dispute than a criminal case, but that isn’t true.
The state has to prove the same underlying offense a prosecutor would have to prove in adult criminal court. Your child can be detained before the first case is ever resolved. A finding against your child creates a record that can affect school enrollment, college applications, military service, and professional licensing years later. In the most serious cases, a prosecutor can ask the juvenile court to waive its jurisdiction and transfer your child to adult criminal court, where the case proceeds exactly like an adult felony.
Texas law separates juvenile conduct into two categories, and which one applies to your child changes what’s at stake. Delinquent conduct covers conduct that would be a crime if an adult did it, from theft and assault to drug offenses and DWI. Conduct indicating a need for supervision, sometimes shortened to CINS, covers a narrower set of status offenses like truancy, running away, or violating curfew, and it carries different consequences and a different path through the system. Because each strategy differs, Mike identifies which category your child’s case falls into on day one.
What Makes Mike More Than A Juvenile Defense Attorney?
With decades of diverse trial experience—from every side of the bench and bar—and a deep institutional knowledge of the agencies involved in juvenile justice, Mike Schneider has protected teenagers and families in countless cases, several of which were featured in national and global media.
Most juvenile defense lawyers know the system as it exists today. Mike helped build it. He spent years presiding over cases as a state district judge in Houston, and he created several of the programs your child’s case may run through:
- The first Juvenile Drug Court in Harris County.
- The Harris County Juvenile Human Trafficking Court (CARE) Court.
- The Juvenile Sealing Program.
- myvoiceincourt.org.
When Mike is on your side, you get More Than a Lawyer.
- Former State District Court Judge
- Former Assistant Harris County Attorney
- Seasoned Trial Attorney with Years of Courtroom Advocacy on Behalf of Caregivers
- Expert Witness & Consultant
- Court-Appointed Amicus in Child Custody Cases
- CPS Administrative Insider
- Child Welfare Researcher & Policy Analyst
- CLE Trainer & Educator for Lawyers
Decades of Diverse Trial Experience
Mike has successfully tried hundreds of trials as a lawyer and state district judge, ranging from thorny child custody battles to felony criminal investigations and capital murder.
Early in his judicial tenure, the Houston Chronicle praised his “demonstrated competency” in handling high-profile cases and consistently endorsed him his entire judicial career, noting, “Schneider has devoted his career to protecting children‚ both as an assistant Harris County attorney and as general counsel of Houston’s renowned Children’s Assessment Center.”
History of High-Profile Success
Judge Schneider is known for his aggressive defense of the most consequential criminal and CPS investigations and in the courtroom at every stage—with clients across the United States. Mike has protected mothers, fathers, foster and adoptive parents, grandparents, siblings and anyone accused in countless high-profile cases featured in national media and across the globe.
Due to his deep understanding of the child welfare systems and agencies, he has an 80–90% success rate in preventing CPS lawsuits through his involvement in administrative and investigation cases.
Understands Every Side of the Bench & Bar
Mike joined the Harris County Attorney’s Office in 1999, serving as Chief of the 313th District Court and managed and tried thousands of child custody cases involving the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (CPS).
In 2001, he became Deputy Division Chief of the office’s Children’s Protective Division, and from 2004 until he took the bench in 2006, served as General Counsel to the world-renowned Children’s Assessment Center in Houston’s Rice Village.
He proudly served as Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission and Chair of the State Bar of Texas Juvenile Law Section.
Deep Knowledge of Child Welfare Investigations and Administrative Hearings
The goal is to keep clients out of the courts. The moment CPS or law enforcement investigations begin, parental rights—and those of foster parents, grandparents and other caregivers—are in immediate jeopardy, and the risk of criminal prosecution is heightened. Mike’s experience navigating this complex maze of law enforcement and child welfare investigators, pediatric hospitals, social workers, and often the media is unmatched.
Most caregivers, including those accused of neglect, abuse, and crimes against children have no idea how to protect their rights in situations where they or a family member are being investigated or accused of wrongdoing. They don’t know who to talk to, what to share, or what to say when they are aggressively targeted by an entire system with which they are unfamiliar. How these events unfold will impact a caregiver’s legal rights—and freedom—for years to come.
Developed the Child Welfare Section of the State Bar of Texas
Trained & Educated Thousands of Lawyers
Mike has created and taught Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs that have trained thousands of lawyers on topics including CPS and child abuse, substance use, complex custody litigation, ethics, expert witnesses, human trafficking, record sealing, and many more at the following institutions:
- Advocacy University
- Healing Specialties Texas
- Houston Bar Association
- University of Houston Law Center Juvenile & Capital Advocacy Program
- Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, Sing Sing Correctional Facility
Conducted Years of Legal Research & Policy Analysis
In 2017, Mike was appointed Adjunct Research Scientist in the Psychology Department of Columbia University in the City of New York by Dr. Carl Hart and in 2022 to the Board of the Center for Science and the Law.
In 2019 Mike served the Texas Legislature as Policy Analyst on child welfare issues for State Representative Gene Wu.
Mike has a deep understanding of the policies that affect his clients the most.
Advocacy Founder & Leader
Mike has founded or served as a leading member of numerous advocacy courts, programs and organizations including:
- Commissioner, Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families (Children’s Commission), Austin (2015-21)
- Founder of first Juvenile Drug Court in Harris County
- Founder, Harris County Juvenile Human Trafficking Court, Creating Advocacy Resilience and Empowerment (“CARE” formerly “GIRLS” Court)
- Founder, Juvenile Sealing Program, with Houston Bar Association and University of Houston Law Center Juvenile and Capital Advocacy Program
- Founder, org, an Online Resource for Children in Texas Foster Care
- Council & Founding Member of Child Welfare Section, State Bar of Texas, Austin
- Board Member, The Way Home Adoption, Inc. (2019-24)
- Chair, Officer, Juvenile Law Section, State Bar of Texas, Austin
- Board of Directors, Center for Science and Law, Palo Alto, California
- Board Member, Criss Cole Children’s Foundation, Houston
- Member of Data Committee, Children’s Commission, Austin
Other Practice Areas
Child Welfare & CPS Defense
We fight for clients at every stage of child custody battles, including CPS involvement—preventing cases from escalating to litigation or appeals whenever possible.
Family Law
Custody, divorce, adoption, and parental rights representation for spouses, families, grandparents, foster parents, and caregivers fighting for the children in their care.
Administrative Law
Navigating complex state and agency proceedings impacting families and children, including CPS investigations, licensing actions, and regulatory disputes.
Criminal Law
Strategic defense in state and federal cases, including felony and juvenile matters impacting or triggered by child custody investigations and litigation.
Civil Rights Law
Advocacy for caregivers, professionals, and individuals facing agency investigations or constitutional rights violations.
How Mike Approaches a Juvenile Case
He identifies what’s actually at stake before beginning. Not every juvenile referral carries the same risk. Mike evaluates the offense category, the child’s history, and whether certification to adult court is realistic, so the family understands the potential outcome from the beginning.
He works the case before it reaches the courtroom. Intake, detention hearings, and the decision on how a case is initially handled often shape everything that follows. Mike gets involved as early as possible.
He speaks directly with prosecutors and probation. Having sat on the bench that hears these cases, Mike knows what a diversion recommendation needs to look like to get approved, and what a probation officer’s report needs to say to keep a case out of court entirely.
He prepares every case as if it will be tried. Preparation changes how the other side negotiates. Families who want their case resolved quietly still benefit from an attorney who is ready to go to trial.
He protects the record. A resolution that leaves a sealable record unsealed or a plea that closes off future options isn’t truly a win. Mike structures resolutions with the sealing process in mind.
He keeps parents informed at every stage. Mike communicates clearly without legal jargon that often leaves families unsure of what happened in a hearing they weren’t allowed to fully participate in.
What Happens After a Texas Teenager is Arrested or Referred
The first 48 hours after an arrest or referral matter. If a child is taken into custody, Texas law requires a detention hearing within 48 hours, including weekends and holidays, at which the court decides whether the child is released to a parent or held.
Not every referral becomes a court case. Harris County’s juvenile system has intake and diversion mechanisms designed to resolve appropriate cases without a formal court filing. Whether a case qualifies often depends on the offense, the child’s history, and how the case is presented at intake, which is why early attorney involvement is important.
If the case isn’t diverted, the state files a petition, and the case proceeds toward an adjudication hearing. This hearing is the juvenile equivalent of a trial, where the court determines whether the child engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision. If the court does make a finding against the child, a disposition hearing follows to determine probation terms, placement, or in serious cases, commitment. Mike works to shape disposition outcomes that protect the child’s future.
Serious felony allegations can trigger a certification hearing. For the most serious offenses, prosecutors can ask the juvenile court to waive its jurisdiction under Texas Family Code Section 54.02 and transfer the child to adult criminal court. Children as young as 14 can face certification for capital offenses and specific first-degree felonies, and once a case is transferred, the case proceeds under adult criminal procedure. A certification hearing is often the last meaningful opportunity to keep a case in the juvenile system, which is why Mike treats early defense of certification as urgent.
What You Should Do Now
If your child has been arrested or referred, you need to act quickly. The decisions you make in the first days determine what your child’s options are later.
Do not let your child make a statement without you and an attorney present. Anything said to the police, a school administrator, or a probation officer can be used against your child, even in an informal conversation that doesn’t feel like an interrogation.
Write down everything you know about what happened, including who contacted you, when, and what was said, while the details are still fresh.
Do not sign anything or agree to any recommendation from probation or the court before an attorney has reviewed it, even if the agreements sound routine.
Gather your child’s school, medical, and disciplinary records now. These often become relevant to both the defense strategy and later sealing eligibility.
Call an attorney before the first hearing. Detention hearings and initial intake decisions happen fast and shape the rest of the case.
Understand that this is fixable. Mike’s institutional knowledge of Harris County’s juvenile courts, probation department, and diversion programs gives families options that a first-time criminal defense attorney may not be aware of.
Press & News
Over the years, Mike’s involvement in countless high-profile cases has earned him national and global recognition in news and media:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a juvenile case in Houston really treated like a criminal case?
Yes. The case is filed in family court and follows Title 3 of the Texas Family Code rather than the Code of Criminal Procedure, but the underlying charge is the same one an adult would face for the same conduct, and the state has to prove it. Detention, a formal court record, and in serious cases, transfer to adult criminal court, are all real possibilities.
What’s the difference between delinquent conduct and conduct indicating a need for supervision?
Delinquent conduct is conduct that would be a criminal offense if committed by an adult, covering everything from theft and assault to drug offenses and repeat alcohol-related driving offenses. Conduct indicating a need for supervision, or CINS, is a narrower category of status offenses, such as truancy, running away from home, or violating a curfew ordinance, that only applies because the person involved is a minor. The two categories carry different consequences and move through the system differently.
Can my child’s juvenile record be sealed in Texas?
Often, yes, but eligibility depends on specific factors under Texas Family Code Section 58.003, including how much time has passed since the case was closed, whether the underlying conduct was a felony, whether your child was ever transferred to adult court, and whether there have been any convictions or new findings since. Sealing eligibility requirements are fact-specific.
Can my child be tried as an adult in Houston?
Only in limited circumstances, and only after the state requests it and the juvenile court holds a formal hearing under Texas Family Code Section 54.02. Certification to adult court generally applies to the most serious offenses, including capital felonies and certain first-degree felonies, including capital felonies and certain first-degree felonies. Children as young as 14 can be certified for the most serious charges. Once a court grants certification, the decision is final, and the case proceeds under adult criminal law and consequences.
Do I have the right to be in the room when my child is questioned by police?
Texas law doesn’t automatically guarantee a parent’s presence during police questioning. It does require a magistrate, not just a police officer, to personally warn your child of the right to remain silent and have an attorney present. If those rights are waived, they must confirm that the waiver was made knowingly and voluntarily. This magistrate warning requirement goes further than the standard adult Miranda warning. It’s frequently the first thing to review if your child already gave a statement before you were involved.
How long does a juvenile case in Harris County typically take?
It depends on the offense category and whether the case is resolved through diversion, a negotiated resolution, or a contested adjudication hearing. Some matters resolve in weeks through diversion or intake-level agreements. Others, particularly those involving a certification question, can take considerably longer.
Does a juvenile record show up on a college application or background check?
It depends on how the case was resolved and whether the record was later sealed. An unsealed juvenile record can surface in some background checks and disclosure requirements, including for certain professional licenses, military enlistment, and select college or scholarship applications. Mike factors sealing eligibility into case strategy.
Your Advocate in and Beyond the Courtroom
When you or a loved one’s future and freedom are on the line, you need More Than a Lawyer— you need someone who’s been involved in every aspect of the legal system.
Judge Mike Schneider (Ret.) brings decades of courtroom, judicial, agency, and policy experience to defend your family with unmatched insight and compassion.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Every moment counts when facing CPS, criminal, or family law issues. It is essential that we build your defense strategy as soon as possible. Let’s schedule a confidential consultation.
Consultation Fee Policy: Consultations for criminal defense matters are free. Consultations for family law and CPS/child welfare matters are subject to a consultation fee, which can be applied to a retainer or flat fee if hired. Mike Schneider Law PLLC reserves the right to charge a consultation fee based on the nature of the matter. Submitting this form acknowledges this policy.