Laura A Peterson

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Dallas Criminal Defense Practice Areas
* Dallas DWI Attorney
* Dallas Drug Defense Attorney
* Dallas Felony Attorney
* Dallas Misdemeanor Attorney
* Dallas Juvenile Attorney
* Dallas Bail Bonds

In Texas, minor children face juvenile criminal charges after being accused of an enormous range of crimes including shoplifting, stealing/theft, traffic violations, criminal mischief, possession of a controlled substance (marijuana possession, drug possession), probation violations, robbery, arson, weapons charges, gang violence, rape or other juvenile sex crimes, even murder.

Whether you are a child charged with a crime because you injured someone or a family member distressed over a minor in possession of drugs, you need to understand juvenile defense procedures in order to defend yourself before juvenile court in Texas. Humphreys & Peterson Law Firm offers a free consultation so we can provide you with answers to your questions.

Whatever the age or the violation, Humphreys & Peterson Law Firm has several years of experience seeking to prevent jail time and other extraordinary punishments for juvenile crimes. Recently in Texas, there has been a tremendous growth in juvenile prosecution and a greater willingness by the State of Texas to certify juveniles as adults rather than prosecute them as juvenile delinquents. However, the purpose of the Texas juvenile justice system is different from that of the Texas adult criminal justice system. The hope of the Texas juvenile courts and the hope of society is that minor children can be rehabilitated. Certifying them as adults completely gives up on that hope.

When a parent is summoned to court to answer for his child’s alleged criminal act, he or she is usually unsure of what to do. Some parents don’t know whether they even need a lawyer. Sometimes a juvenile probation officer or court staff will tell the parents that an attorney is unnecessary. Sometimes a prosecutor will give the parents the same advice, assuring them that the case is not serious enough to warrant a defense attorney. But beware: it is critical that your child be competently represented in juvenile court. There is no minor criminal case in Texas.

The Humphreys & Peterson Law Firm will make it a point to walk the young person and his parents through all Texas juvenile criminal procedures. We will fight for your child’s freedom, which sometimes comes in the form of restitution or probation.

At Humphreys & Peterson Law firm we never forget that a child is just that: a child. A criminal record, even a juvenile record, is a tag that will often harm a child much more than it benefits the State of Texas.

Laura A Peterson
Humphreys & Peterson Law Firm PLLC
5502 Broadway Blvd
Garland TX 75043
Tel: 972 303-4529; 866 259-0661
Fax: 972 303-1673
E-mail: Laura@DallasJusticeForAll.com

Board Certifications:
* Board Certified - Juvenile Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2001)
* Board Certified - Criminal Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1999)

Laura Peterson graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1986 with her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Immediately thereafter, Ms. Peterson attended the University of Virginia School of Law where she obtained her JD degree in 1989. After graduating law school, she relocated to the Dallas, Texas Metroplex after being recruited by the civil litigation firm of Baker, Mills, & Glast, P.C. After a few years of practicing civil litigation, Ms. Peterson finally found her calling in criminal defense law.

From 1994 to 1999, Ms. Peterson served as an Assistant Public Defender in Dallas County. She was assigned to the mental illness court, misdemeanor courts, felony courts and juvenile courts. Ms. Peterson handled all aspects of criminal cases including pleas, trials before the court, jury trials, and juvenile certification hearings. During her five years as an Assistant Public Defender, she defended dozens of criminal cases and lost only one jury trial.

Thereafter in 1999, Ms. Peterson went into private practice and was one of the founding partners of Humphreys & Peterson Law Firm, PLLC, and has built her law firm by providing quality service and personal attention to each and every one of her clients. Ms. Peterson is dedicated to providing the best legal representation to her criminal defendant clients through her experience, diligent preparation and integrity for the legal profession.

Ms. Peterson’s primary emphasis is in juvenile delinquency and child sexual abuse cases.