# Tex. Family Code § 54.08: PUBLIC ACCESS TO COURT HEARINGS

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.08

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Family Code § 54.08
- **Heading:** PUBLIC ACCESS TO COURT HEARINGS
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code fa / Chapter 54 / Section 54.08

## Text

(a) Except as provided by this section, the court shall open hearings under this title to the public unless the court, for good cause shown, determines that the public should be excluded.

(b) The court may not prohibit a person who is a victim of the conduct of a child, or the person's family, from personally attending a hearing under this title relating to the conduct by the child unless the victim or member of the victim's family is to testify in the hearing or any subsequent hearing relating to the conduct and the court determines that the victim's or family member's testimony would be materially affected if the victim or member of the victim's family hears other testimony at trial.

(c) If a child is under the age of 14 at the time of the hearing, the court shall close the hearing to the public unless the court finds that the interests of the child or the interests of the public would be better served by opening the hearing to the public.

(d) In this section, "family" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.003.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Family Code § 54.01 § 54.01. DETENTION HEARING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.01.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.02 § 54.02. WAIVER OF JURISDICTION AND DISCRETIONARY TRANSFER TO CRIMINAL COURT.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.02.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.03 § 54.03. ADJUDICATION HEARING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.03.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.04 § 54.04. DISPOSITION HEARING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.04.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.05 § 54.05. HEARING TO MODIFY DISPOSITION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.05.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.07 § 54.07. ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.07.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.08 § 54.08. PUBLIC ACCESS TO COURT HEARINGS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.08.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.09 § 54.09. RECORDING OF PROCEEDINGS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.09.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.10 § 54.10. HEARINGS BEFORE REFEREE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.10.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.011 § 54.011. DETENTION HEARINGS FOR STATUS OFFENDERS AND NONOFFENDERS; PENALTY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.011.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.11 § 54.11. RELEASE OR TRANSFER HEARING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.11.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.012 § 54.012. REMOTE CONDUCT OF DETENTION HEARING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.012.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.021 § 54.021. SERVICES PROVIDED TO CHILD IN DETENTION FACILITY PENDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.021.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 54.031 § 54.031. HEARSAY STATEMENT OF CERTAIN ABUSE VICTIMS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.031.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C54_S54.08. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.