A new Texas law aims to keep children out of the court system by identifying at-risk youth and planning to prevent future offenses. Matagorda County has already been using these diversion tactics for a long time. The law required every court in the state to have a youth diversion plan in place by the end of ’24. Local judges say this approach helps guide juveniles away from further trouble, making it a learning experience rather than punishment. The plan is voluntary and helps keep minor offenders’ records clean while saving court time and paperwork.