William B Connolly

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Houston Divorce, Family Law Lawyer | Texas Child Custody Attorney Sugar Land TX
* Family Law Practice
- Adoption
- Child Custody & Visitation
- Property Division in Divorce
- Separate & Community Property
- The Divorce Process
- Grandparents' & Foster Parents' Rights
- CPS Cases, Terminations & Conservatorships
- Family Law Appeals
- Child Support
- Custody Modification & Relocation
- Divorce & Children
- Collaborative Law & Mediation
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Issues
* Juvenile Law Practice
- Juvenile Trials & Appeals

If your child has been accused of a criminal offense, it is crucial that he or she be represented by a lawyer as soon as possible. Most parents are surprised that a police officer can interview their child outside of the presence of either parents or children and obtain sworn statements and confessions that are admissible at trial. The juvenile justice system is designed to create some opportunities for positive intervention in children's lives. On the other hand, juvenile judges can also impose serious consequences on minors who are found to be responsible for offenses.

At Connolly & Shireman in Houston, juvenile law is a significant part of our practice. We regularly guide parents and children through this unique system, pursuing positive results. To schedule an appointment with one of our experienced juvenile law attorneys, contact us today.

When minors are accused of offenses that would be considered crimes if they were committed by an adult, or when minors are accused of specific juvenile delinquency offenses, their cases are handled in the juvenile courts under juvenile law, a unique legal practice area. The range of offenses that can land children in juvenile court include:
* Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (sometimes known as "joyriding")
* Shoplifting and theft
* Burglary
* Drug possession
* Weapons possession
* Assault and aggravated assault
* Sexual offenses
* Murder, including capital murder

The juvenile law process provides certain alternatives to incarceration and other types of flexibility that are designed to protect the unique interests of children and are not available in adult criminal court. However, these offenses can result in a childs incarceration for extended periods of time.

In Texas, children can be sent to prison for up to 40 years by the juvenile courts. They can also be subjected to mandatory sex offender registration. Juveniles can also be certified to stand trial as adults, making them eligible for the full range of criminal penalties (except capital punishment).

Attorney William B. Connolly is the 2009-2010 Chair of the Juvenile Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. He is experienced at defending children against juvenile charges. We represent minors throughout the juvenile trial and appellate process.

We always emphasize the fact that our clients are children who have their whole lives ahead of them, who have limited judgment and who are supposed to be treated differently than adults. Many of our clients have addiction and other mental health issues, and we are often able to seek treatment for those issues as alternatives to harsh punishment.

If your child is in trouble, don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your options.

William B Connolly & Associates
2930 Revere St #300
Houston TX 77098-5607
Tel: 713 520-5757
Fax: 713 520-6644
E-mail: wbc@conlawfirm.com

Areas of Practice
* Family Law
* Juvenile Law
* Civil Appellate Law

Certified Legal Specialties
* Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
* Juvenile Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

William B. (Bill) Connolly received his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in 1974 from the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. He received his law degree (J.D.) in 1979 from South Texas College of Law where he was Assistant Editor of the Law review and a member of the Order of the Lytae.

In 1983, he started his own litigation and civil appellate law practice under the name of William B. Connolly & Associates where he maintained a significant concentration in the areas of Family, Juvenile and Civil Appellate. On July 1, 2008, he established a partnership with a long-time associate, William Leslie Shireman, changing the firm name to Connolly & Shireman, L.L.P. Mr. Connolly's litigation and appellate experience have included matters of all sizes and complexities relative to property, conservatorship, termination of parental rights and related family law issues. Mr. Connolly is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Family Law and Juvenile Law. He is the only attorney in Harris County, Texas and one of two attorneys in the State of Texas who is Board Certified in all of the Family Code areas of specialization by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has extensive experience in handling difficult family issues such as substance abuse addictions, mental health issues, domestic violence, child abuse, child neglect and juvenile delinquency. Although comfortable in the litigation arena, Mr. Connolly also knows that the emotional and psychological cost on the families is frequently too high in family law cases. Accordingly, several years ago his practice was expanded to include mediation and alternative dispute resolution services, such as collaborative family law.

Since 1979, Mr. Connolly has been active in the Bar Associations and has authored many articles and presented lectures and workshops on a variety of legal and community related issues. Since the early 90's, he has been a featured monthly presenter on family and juvenile law appellate cases for the Juvenile Law Section of the Houston Bar Association. He is active politically and is involved in several community organizations, including prior service with the Mental Health Association of Houston and on the Advisory Boards of Child Advocates, Inc. (CASA) and The Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Houston.

Mr. Connolly is an ordained elder at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas and has served as an Adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law and an instructor at the C.G. Jung Center on Family and relationship issues.

Based in Houston, Texas, we serve clients in the Inner Loop and throughout Greater Houston, including Houston Heights, Sugar Land, Bellaire, West University, Galleria, Pearland, Alvin, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg, Pasadena, Conroe, Spring, Tomball, The Woodlands, Clear Lake, Kingwood, Humble, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, Galveston County and Montgomery County.