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Juvenile Crimes

Birmingham Juvenile Crimes Defense Attorney

Understanding Juvenile Crimes in Alabama

A juvenile crime is any criminal offense committed by an individual who is considered a juvenile under Alabama law. In Alabama, a juvenile is considered a person below the age of 18 or 19. A juvenile crime can result in criminal charges that follow a young person throughout his or her adult life. Adolescents facing juvenile criminal charges should turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney to assist with their situation. At Ingram Law, LLC, our seasoned juvenile crimes lawyer in Birmingham represents young people in Jefferson County and surrounding areas of Alabama.

If you need help defending yourself or your child against criminal charges, call (205) 303-1753 to discuss your situation with our attorney.

Common Juvenile Crimes in Birmingham

Some of the crimes typically committed by juveniles include:

There are some major differences between the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. For example, mandatory life sentences and capital punishment are forbidden for juvenile crimes. When a juvenile’s criminal activity results in monetary losses, their parents may be held financially responsible. The punishment can vary widely, depending on the specific charges and circumstances. A young person may be sentenced to a juvenile detention facility, house arrest, electronic monitoring, probation, fines, or community service.

Alabama’s Juvenile Court Process Explained

If a minor has been detained by the police, a juvenile intake officer will determine whether to file a formal petition with the juvenile court and notify the minor’s parents. In addition, the intake officer will inform the minor and his/her parents of their rights and figure out if the minor should be released back to their parents’ custody or placed in a detention center.

If a minor is considered a dependent child or requires supervision, another option is placing him/her in the care of the Department of Human Resources. This is known as “shelter care.”

In the event a child is detained, a hearing is scheduled within 72 hours. At the hearing, the judge will decide if the child should be released to his parents or remain in detention or shelter care.

There are two alternative options for filing a formal petition:

  • Informal Adjustment: The minor and his/her parents' consent to counseling by the intake officer or another counselor, as well as potentially temporary placement of up to six months with someone other than the parent or guardian.
  • Consent Decree: When it comes to minors in need of supervision, a child could be supervised under special conditions and placed on probation of up to six months.

All juvenile trials in Alabama are decided by a judge – not a jury. Furthermore, all juvenile cases are sealed from public record.

Avoiding Adult Criminal Charges for Juveniles

In some cases, a juvenile may be tried as an adult. This is most likely to happen when young people are accused of violent crimes. When prosecuted in the adult criminal justice system, the juvenile is at risk of much more severe penalties. Our juvenile crimes lawyer in Birmingham works hard to keep juvenile cases out of the adult court system.

If a young person in your family is facing criminal charges, contact us for an immediate response.

Get to Know Your Attorney

Learn More About Joe Ingram

Birmingham Criminal Defense Attorney Mr. Ingram is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Samford University, he worked for Alabama Power in Corporate Accounting. Mr. Ingram earned his law degree from Birmingham School of Law in 2002. While attending law school, Mr. Ingram worked as a law clerk in the Office of District Attorney for the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Jefferson County, Alabama. He has also served as an Assistant District Attorney in Baldwin County.

    Proven Track Record

    Hear From Our Satisfied Clients
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      "Exceptional"
      My first meeting with Joe I felt as if I could trust him completely. I had a thousand questions and he patiently explained in an understandable way to me the answers. Joe took on my case. I was continually kept in the loop of the progress and of any issues along the way. Joe is an amazing attorney and a super nice person. I would highly recommend Joe if you ever need the best. Thank You Joe K. Franklin
      - Ken

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