What Every Teen Should Know about Texas Law
254 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2
Paperback
Release Date:09 May 2018
ISBN:9781477315637
GO TO CART

What Every Teen Should Know about Texas Law

University of Texas Press

From reviews of earlier editions:

“Young people get into legal trouble for two reasons: they do not know what the law is, and they do not stop to think about the consequences of their actions. This book would make a good text for a preparation for life class. . . . The book is written in plain language, unencumbered by a lot of legal citations, and with no expectation that the reader will have any working knowledge of the law.”
Texas Bar Journal

“A book any parent should consider giving their child. . . . But before you do, take a look at it yourself. No matter the title, Wallace’s book . . . contains information everyone . . . should know.”
Austin American-Statesman

What Every Teen Should Know about Texas Law is the only single-source guide for accurate, easy-to-understand information about most areas of civil law in Texas. L. Jean Wallace drew on years of experience as a students’ attorney at Texas Tech University to inform young adults about the areas of law that affect them most: driving and car ownership, pranks and crimes (including alcohol and drug offenses), personal relationships, employment and consumer concerns, and living on their own. She illustrated her points with true, sometimes humorous, stories of young adults’ encounters with the law.

For this new edition, municipal judge Christopher F. Cypert has completely updated the book to reflect the current state of the law. He covers specific topics that are now mandated to be taught in schools, including the proper way to interact with peace officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters, as well as internet-era misbehaviors such as sexting and cyberbullying. Like Wallace, Cypert has helped many young people navigate the sometimes confusing processes of the legal world, often loaning earlier editions of this book to young offenders in his court. Both authors’ real-world experience and legal expertise ensure that What Every Teen Should Know about Texas Law is indeed a complete and practical guide for assuming the responsibilities of adulthood—as well as a good refresher course for all legal-age Texans.

The late L. Jean Wallace was an attorney with the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services in Austin.

Christopher F. Cypert is an elected municipal court judge.

  • Introduction
  • 1. The Constitution of the United States
    • Bill of Rights
    • Protections of Liberty
    • Protections of Justice
    • Unenumerated Rights and Reserved Powers
  • 2. Drive to Survive
    • Graduated Driver License Program
    • Driver’s License
    • Driver Responsibility Program
    • Tickets and Insurance
    • Vehicular Insurance
    • Types of Coverage
    • Types of Plans
  • 3. Driving While Young
    • Traffic Tickets
    • Going to Court
    • Judge or Jury?
    • Traffic Accidents
    • The “Criminal” Matter of Accidents
    • The Civil Matter of Accidents
    • Car Repair
  • 4. Pranks, Crimes, and Arrest
    • Classification of Crimes and Their Punishment
    • The Truth about Arrest and Jail
    • After Jail Comes Court—What to Expect
    • Specific Crimes
    • Ordinances
    • Weapons
    • Drugs
    • Alcohol-Related Offenses
  • 5. Personal Relationships
    • Living Together
    • Paternity
    • Child Support—Both Mom and Dad
    • Marriage
  • 6. Employment and Consumer Concerns and Other Issues
    • Employment
    • Consumer Concerns and Other Issues
  • 7. Living on Your Own
    • Leases
    • Looking for an Apartment
    • Living in an Apartment
    • Repairs
    • Roommates
    • Moving Out Early
    • Proper Move-Out Notice
    • Eviction and Other Steps to Force You to Live Up to Your Lease or to Move Out
  • 8. How to Do It Yourself
    • Complaint Against a Police Officer
    • Finding and Hiring an Attorney
    • Small Claims Court
    • Voting
    • Purchase of a Vehicle
    • Registration and Inspection
    • Agencies for Better Business
    • Consumer Affairs
    • Vacations and Spring Break
  • Index
Find what you’re looking for...

Free shipping on online orders over $40

Stay Informed

Receive the latest UBC Press news, including events, catalogues, and announcements.


Read past newsletters

Publishers Represented
UBC Press is the Canadian agent for several international publishers. Visit our Publishers Represented page to learn more.