What must occur for a juvenile to be tried as an adult in Texas?

A juvenile in Texas can be tried as an adult following a specific legal process, which requires a motion for certification to transfer the case to adult court. This process involves several steps: the prosecutor must file the motion, and a judge must then conduct a hearing to determine whether the case should be transferred based on various factors, including the nature of the offense, the juvenile's behavior, and their previous record.

This requirement ensures that there is a careful evaluation of the circumstances surrounding the case before it moves to the adult court system, acknowledging the significant implications of treating a juvenile as an adult. The other options do not capture the legal framework established in Texas law for such a transfer. A written request from the juvenile's parents or a specific age threshold such as being 17 years or older does not suffice alone for adult prosecution, and a unanimous jury decision is not the standard required in this motion process. The certification process is designed to assess the juvenile's capacity and the appropriateness of their trial context, highlighting why the correct answer is centered on the formal motion for certification.