The teen was granted deferred adjudication, meaning that if he behaves and finishes his term, he could walk away with no record of a criminal conviction.
SAN ANTONIO — A boy who was just 12 years old when he was accused of bringing a gun to school accepted a plea deal Tuesday morning and was granted a term of deferred adjudication.
The teen, who is 13 now, had already been released from detention, so this new ruling means that if he continues to behave, he will remain free.
Defense attorney George Shaffer told Judge Cruz Shaw the teen has admitted that what he did was wrong and he took responsibility for his actions.
A spokesman for the San Antonio ISD provided a letter of explanation that was shared with families of Harris Middle School on Pruitt Avenue.
In a letter dated Oct. 31, Halloween, Principal John Hilliard told parents there had been a rumor of a boy with a gun, but the student claimed it was a toy that was part of a costume.
Hilliard wrote, “We understand the anxiety a report such as this may cause among our students, families, and staff. We assure you we remain vigilant to protect the safety and security of everyone in our care.”
On Nov. 4, a second letter was shared with the school community, in which Hilliard wrote, “Our officers have concluded the investigation and determined it was a real weapon, and the item has been safely confiscated. The student is no longer on campus.”
The youngster was charged by school police with unlawfully carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.
Tuesday in juvenile court, the teen’s attorney told Judge Shaw the teen has learned from his mistake.
Shaffer said the “A and B” student had never been in trouble before and the teen has been following rules since the incident.
Sternly admonishing the teen, Shaw said, “I’m going to keep a tight eye on you!” adding a warning that the teen would have to behave from now on.
Shaw told the teen he remembered talking with him when he was arrested.
“Don’t come back here on a charge again! Am I clear?” Shaw asked the teen. “Your attorney was able to work out a decent deal for you so I am going to supervise you. I need for you to behave yourself and you stay away from negative influences, including wherever you got that gun from!”
The judge accepted the plea, and the teen has a list of rules he must abide by while he remains on probation. The judge specifically told the teen to avoid drugs and alcohol.
If the teen has no future violations, deferred adjudication means he has a chance to move forward in life without a permanent criminal conviction on his record.