The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-25

no Chancellor living therein, the Regis
ter in Chancery during vacation, shall
have the power to hear and determine all
complaints made under this Act, and
shall Immediately report his action to the
Chancellor for his consideration and de-
termination, which shall have the same
force and effect as though the Chancellor
had heard the complaint in the first in
stance
Sec H. Whenever a child under four
teen years of age is arrested, charged
with any violation of law, State or mu-
nicipal. the child must not be impris-
oned. but shall forthwith be taken be-
fore the proper Chancellor, Judge or Reg
lister for procedure under this Act. Il
any child under fourteen years of age is
brought before any Court or judge
or Justice OF the Peace, he
shall Immediately inquire as
to the age of the child and II found
to be under fourteen, or If the Judge
or Justice be in doubt as to whether the
child is fourteen years ola, the child
shall not be tried or examined on the
charge, but must forthwith be sent, to-
gether with a copy of the charge, be-
fore the proper judicial officers provided
by this Act
See l.. Any Judge or Justice who COM
mits to prison or jail, of any kind, any
child contrary to the provisions of this
Act, shall be guilty of a high misdemea-
nor any officer or person who inprlsons
or locks up a child contrary to the pro-
visions of this Act, must on conviction
thereof be sentenced to hard labor for not
less than one month"; nor more than six
months.
Sec 10. Any person who by any act or
word encourages, contributes to. or causes
the delinquency of any child under four
teen years, must on conviction be fined
4 n1ar.
be sentenced To hard labor for not less
than one month or more than six months.
Sec. IA. Any person who knowingly dis
regards or fails to obey any order made
by a Chancellor. Judge or Register under
the provisions of this Act, must, on con-
vctlon thereof, be fined not less than
fifty dollars, and may be sentenced to
hard labor for not less than one month
nor more than six months.
Sec. To- Any person who knowingly
interferes with, or opposes or obstructs
any probation officer in the performance
of his duties under this Act, or who know
ingly makes any false statement to him
about any matter or person about which
he is enquiring in the discharge OF his
duty, must. on conviction thereof, be SEN
fenced to hard labor for not less than
one month nor more than six months:
and shall also be guilty of a contempt OF
Court.
See 16. That Whenever it appears to
any Court that a child under fourteen
years of age stands indicted or charged
I'm an affidavit for the violation of law
the Judge must Immediately enquire as To
the age of the child and If found TO be
under fourteen years or IL the Court is
in doubt as to the age Of the child, IL
must give the child the benefit of the
doubt and enter an order on the min
utes of the Court suspending all pro-
Al.
detment or affidavit, and order that n
copy of the indictment or affidavit and
the child be delivered TO the court having
jurisdiction of proceeding under this
Act, and upon receipt of such
copy of the indictment or af-
fdavit, the Court having jurisdiction OF
proceedings against juvenile delinquents
must take Jurisdiction under this Act,
and If at any time the Court is con-
WINGED that. the child cannot be re-
formed and brought to lead a correct life.
then the Court shall order the child re-
turned to the Court in which the in
dictment or affidavit is pending, where
upon the Court must proceed as II no
suspension had been entered in the GRIM
inal cause.
Sec. II. The statements, declarations,
confessions or admissions of any kind.
made by child under fourteen years OF
age to any person. officer or the Court:
or the manner or demeanor or silence OF
such child, when questioned or accused,
nor any statement made by any person.
officer or the Court shall never be legal
or competent evidence against the child
in any Court or proceeding whatever,
nor shall the same ever be admitted by
any Court in any proceedings against
the child.
Approved March 8. 1907.
Official:
Frank n. Julian.
Secretary of State.