'Today’s juvenile is a murderer': DA urges lawmakers to act on youth crime

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Leaders in Cameron County are calling on state lawmakers to update Texas’s juvenile criminal code. District Attorney Luis V. Saenz says the law is outdated and does not reflect the reality of rising juvenile crime.

“Today’s juvenile is a murderer and is a bad individual, and he needs to be treated like that,” said Saenz. “He is committing violent adult acts, so he needs to be treated and punished as an adult.”

Many in the community agree the situation is getting worse. Brownsville resident Arturo Ramirez shared his concern.

“There are a lot of young people who are high on drugs and, just for fun, do things like speeding and putting children, people, and pets in danger,” he said. “Sometimes they don’t regret what they do, even after killing someone.”

Residents like Ramirez and Carlos Gonzalez believe the problem is serious, but also say early intervention is key to preventing crime before it occurs.

“There has to be some type of deterrent,” said Gonzalez. “If they walk after something like that, they think they’ll walk again.”

Saenz says what used to be minor offenses like trespassing have escalated to serious crimes — murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery — committed by juveniles.

“What should I tell the family whose son or daughter was killed by a juvenile?” Saenz asked. “The idea that these kids can’t understand the consequences because their brains haven’t developed is ridiculous.”

Rose Gomez, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer at the Darrell B. Hester Juvenile Justice Center, says while the law needs to be updated, rehabilitation is still possible.

“Rehabilitation does work. However, they do need consequences. They do need accountability,” said Gomez. “There’s a lot of peer pressure, drugs, social media — it’s not easy. But if they’re willing to receive help, we will give it.”

She says the center has seen a rise in violent juvenile offenses. It serves as a detention facility for those charged with felonies, but it’s up to a judge to decide what happens on a case-by-case basis.

In the last nine months, seven juveniles have been certified as adults in Cameron County — five of them for murder.

Saenz emphasized the urgency of acting while youth can still be reached.

“My grandpa would say, ‘Un árbol ya chueco ya no lo enderezas.’ If we don’t get them while they’re young, and we don’t punish them while they’re young, we’re just contributing to the problem,” said Saenz. “That’s what I want the legislators to hear — I’m pleading on behalf of the public.”

He warns that organized crime is also exploiting the system.

“The cartels use juveniles as their breeding ground,” Saenz said. “They know the law. They know there’s no federal juvenile code, and they take advantage, working with and grooming these young offenders.”

Despite repeated calls to lawmakers, Saenz says he has yet to see any action.