Procedures for taking the plea of a child under the age of 17 accused of a Penal Code offense are contained in the Penal Code.

• A. True
• B. Partly true
• C. False
• D. Not specified

Answer: (C)

In Texas, procedures for taking a plea from a child under 17 are not found in the Penal Code. The Penal Code defines offenses and penalties, but it does not set the procedural steps for juvenile pleas. Those procedures are governed by the Family Code and the Rules of Juvenile Procedure. When a juvenile case is handled in juvenile court, the court follows the Family Code provisions (including rights advisement, counsel, and waivers) and the Rules of Juvenile Procedure for pleas and admissions. If a case is waived to criminal court and handled as an adult matter, then adult criminal-procedure rules (Code of Criminal Procedure) would apply. So the statement is false because plea procedures for juveniles are not contained in the Penal Code.