The requirement of community service can come about in several ways. About half of the judges interviewed will usually assess a fine and then determine the juvenile's ability to pay. If the juvenile is not working, the judge then allows the juvenile to pay off the fine by performing community service at a set rate per hour of work. Other judges do not necessarily consider it a fine, but simply assess a community service requirement outright. Community service is also used almost exclusively by the four judges interviewed who operated a teen court program as the method of disposition for the teen court.
Some courts have specific community service programs lined up for particular crimes.
Judge Davis, of Austin, and Judge Pavliska, of Halletsville, both require community service back at the school if the case came from a school. Judge Gillen, from Wichita Falls, requires city service for cases filed in his municipal court involving violations of city ordinances. Requiring attendance at certain programs is also a regular dispositional tool for juveniles. Judges can require attendance at various programs under Section 54.022 of the Family Code. Courses for alcohol offenders are specifically authorized in Section 106.115 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code.