JUVENILE & CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
KATY BOORTZ
SERVING FAMILIES IN COMAL, BEXAR, & SURROUNDING COUNTIES
Katy Boortz, Juvenile Defense Attorney
Dear Parent,
Thank you for stopping by. I know you may be experiencing some level of anxiety or concern about your child’s future. Your child may be in some kind of trouble at school, or in a San Antonio area juvenile court, or perhaps both. Maybe you’ve tried talking to your child and the school administration, but still don’t feel like you have a clear grasp of what is going on. As a parent, you tend to fear the worst about how this event could affect your child’s future for years to come.
As an experienced juvenile defense attorney, I have worked with countless parents just like you. It is obvious that you care deeply about your child, or you would not have come across my letter. I appreciate you taking the time to do your research and educate yourself.
The first thing that you should know about the juvenile court system is that the overarching purpose is to rehabilitate and not punish. Punishment is a goal of an adult court. Practically speaking, this means your son or daughter will be participating in a process that understands children should be treated differently from adults, and the juvenile court system is focused on protecting the child and acting in their best interests. Family involvment in the court process is encouraged and welcomed, and court proceedings are kept private and confidential.
Juvenile Court Date Coming Up? 3 Things to Do
If your child is facing charges in a San Antonio area juvenile court:
Number one: Take a deep breath. At this point, you don’t have all the pieces to the puzzle and speculating about potential outcomes will only make things worse. Try to remain calm, especially around your child so that you can best handle the situation with a clear head.
Number two: Gather any documents, business cards, court summons, citations, and any other relevant information that you may have regarding the legal situation that your child faces. In addition, collect your son or daughter’s current academic and disciplinary records.
Number three: Make a list of any questions you may have related to the facts, the legal process, and any other pending issues. You have likely spent a lot of time thinking and worrying about this, so get those thoughts out of your brain and on to paper so that you can take action.
My Background and Vision
I too am a parent, and understand that our children are our most precious resource and that we would move whatever mountain that we needed to move to ensure that they have the best help possible. I am also an experienced criminal defense attorney with a focus on representing juveniles. I would be honored to speak to you about your child’s case. I have handled every type of criminal matter, from traffic tickets to homicide cases.
I find immense satisfaction in helping families navigate the juvenile justice system. It is my true passion. It is rewarding to work with a youth who is facing a legal situation and use the situation to get them back on track. I compare this to a speed bump on the road of life.
If a child, with the help and support of their loved ones, is able to work through a situation and learn from it, this can help the child turn things around, and get on the right path before it becomes too late or significantly harder.
Getting a Child back on Track
I enjoy working with families and really getting to know the child. Sometimes it is a process of peeling away layer after layer, just like an onion, until we get to the root of the issue and what is causing the child to act out and commit delinquent acts.
Once we get there, we can set the child on a positive course, sometimes well before the court date. Maybe this means getting the child started in counseling or even changing schools. Maybe this means getting the child involved in a new after school activity or working with their family to create a curfew. Maybe it means setting up software on a computer to monitor a child’s computer use.
No-Judgment Zone
I operate in a ‘no judgment zone’ and will never judge or belittle a child. Rather, I seek to find the best in them and use this to help get them back on track. I may ask some tough questions, but that is with the one key purpose of serving your child and your family to the very best of my ability.
While the juvenile court system does have different goals and objectives, I must remind you that juvenile court is still court. It is held in a courthouse with judges, prosecutors, police officers, and probation officers. The experience of going through a security check point, waiting an indefinite amount of time before being called into the court room, and then standing before a judge can certainly be daunting.
Therefore, being informed and being prepared before stepping into the courthouse can make a huge difference in the overall process and in your child’s future. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call my office at 210-960-1275, email me at [email protected] or fill out the contact form below. I look forward to talking to you and getting to know your family.
Warmly,
Katy Boortz
Juvenile Defense Attorney