Tex. Fam. Code Section 51.17
Procedure and Evidence


(a)

Except as provided by Section 56.01 (Right to Appeal)(b-1) and except for the burden of proof to be borne by the state in adjudicating a child to be delinquent or in need of supervision under Section 54.03 (Adjudication Hearing)(f) or otherwise when in conflict with a provision of this title, the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure govern proceedings under this title.

(b)

Discovery in a proceeding under this title is governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure and by case decisions in criminal cases.

(c)

Except as otherwise provided by this title, the Texas Rules of Evidence applicable to criminal cases and Articles 33.03 (Presence of Defendant) and 37.07 and Chapter 38 (Evidence in Criminal Actions), Code of Criminal Procedure, apply in a judicial proceeding under this title.

(d)

When on the motion for appointment of an interpreter by a party or on the motion of the juvenile court, in any proceeding under this title, the court determines that the child, the child’s parent or guardian, or a witness does not understand and speak English, an interpreter must be sworn to interpret for the person as provided by Article 38.30 (Interpreter), Code of Criminal Procedure.

(e)

In any proceeding under this title, if a party notifies the court that the child, the child’s parent or guardian, or a witness is deaf, the court shall appoint a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings in any language, including sign language, that the deaf person can understand, as provided by Article 38.31 (Interpreters for Deaf Persons), Code of Criminal Procedure.

(f)

Any requirement under this title that a document contain a person’s signature, including the signature of a judge or a clerk of the court, is satisfied if the document contains the signature of the person as captured on an electronic device or as a digital signature. Article 2.26 (Digital Signature and Electronic Documents), Code of Criminal Procedure, applies in a proceeding held under this title.

(g)

Articles 21.07 (Allegation of Name), 26.07 (Name as Stated in Indictment), 26.08 (If Defendant Suggests Different Name), 26.09 (If Accused Refuses to Give His Real Name), and 26.10 (Where Name Is Unknown), Code of Criminal Procedure, relating to the name of an adult defendant in a criminal case, apply to a child in a proceeding held under this title.

(h)

Articles 58.001 (General Definitions), 58.101 (Definition), 58.102 (Designation of Pseudonym; Pseudonym Form), 58.103 (Victim Information Confidential), 58.104 (Court-ordered Disclosure of Victim Information), 58.105 (Disclosure of Certain Child Victim Information Prohibited), and 58.106 (Disclosure of Information of Confined Victim), Code of Criminal Procedure, relating to the use of a pseudonym by a victim in a criminal case, apply in a proceeding held under this title.

(i)

Except as provided by Section 56.03 (Appeal by State in Cases of Offenses Eligible for Determinate Sentence)(f), the state is not required to pay any cost or fee otherwise imposed for court proceedings in either the trial or appellate courts.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 14, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 949 (H.B. 1575), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (H.B. 2884), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 642 (H.B. 1688), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1299 (H.B. 2862), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 469 (H.B. 4173), Sec. 2.31, eff. January 1, 2021.

Source: Section 51.17 — Procedure and Evidence, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.­51.­htm#51.­17 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

51.01
Purpose and Interpretation
51.02
Definitions
51.03
Delinquent Conduct
51.04
Jurisdiction
51.05
Court Sessions and Facilities
51.06
Venue
51.07
Transfer to Another County for Disposition
51.08
Transfer from Criminal Court
51.09
Waiver of Rights
51.10
Right to Assistance of Attorney
51.11
Guardian Ad Litem
51.12
Place and Conditions of Detention
51.13
Effect of Adjudication or Disposition
51.17
Procedure and Evidence
51.18
Election Between Juvenile Court and Alternate Juvenile Court
51.19
Limitation Periods
51.20
Physical or Mental Examination
51.21
Mental Health Screening and Referral
51.031
Habitual Felony Conduct
51.041
Jurisdiction After Appeal
51.042
Objection to Jurisdiction Because of Age of the Child
51.045
Juries in County Courts at Law
51.071
Transfer of Probation Supervision Between Counties: Courtesy Supervision Prohibited
51.072
Transfer of Probation Supervision Between Counties: Interim Supervision
51.073
Transfer of Probation Supervision Between Counties: Permanent Supervision
51.074
Transfer of Probation Supervision Between Counties: Deferred Prosecution
51.075
Collaborative Supervision Between Adjoining Counties
51.095
Admissibility of a Statement of a Child
51.101
Appointment of Attorney and Continuation of Representation
51.102
Appointment of Counsel Plan
51.115
Attendance at Hearing: Parent or Other Guardian
51.116
Right to Reemployment
51.125
Post-adjudication Correctional Facilities
51.126
Nonsecure Correctional Facilities
51.151
Polygraph Examination
51.0411
Jurisdiction for Transfer or Release Hearing
51.0412
Jurisdiction over Incomplete Proceedings
51.0413
Jurisdiction over and Transfer of Combination of Proceedings
51.0414
Discretionary Transfer to Combine Proceedings

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 51.17’s source at texas​.gov