reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-5 - Admission to Bail of Persons Charged With Violations of Municipal Ordinances; Waiver of Appearance Bond.

Section 12-14-5
Admission to bail of persons charged with violations of municipal ordinances; waiver of appearance bond.
Municipal judges shall admit to bail any person charged with violation of any municipal ordinance by requiring an appearance bond, with good security, to be approved by the respective municipal judges or their designees, in an amount not to exceed $1,000.00, and may, in their discretion, admit to bail such person on a personal recognizance bond, such bonds to be conditioned on the appearance of such person before the judge on a day named therein to answer the charges preferred against him. The municipal judge may waive an appearance bond upon satisfactory showing that the defendant is indigent or otherwise unable to make bond.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-104; Acts 1989, No. 89-809, p. 1615, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-6 - Cases to Be Tried by Judge Without Jury.

Section 12-14-6
Cases to be tried by judge without jury.
All cases in municipal courts shall be tried by a judge without a jury.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-101.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-7 - Courts to Take Judicial Notice of Ordinances of Municipality.

Section 12-14-7
Courts to take judicial notice of ordinances of municipality.
A municipal court shall take judicial notice of the ordinances of the municipality in which it sits.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-116.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-8 - Traffic Infractions Procedure.

Section 12-14-8
Traffic infractions procedure.
All municipalities shall utilize the uniform traffic infractions procedure as provided by law or rule.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-118.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-9 - Provision of Indigent Defense Services.

Section 12-14-9
Provision of indigent defense services.
A municipality which retains its court shall provide indigent defense services as otherwise provided by law.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-114.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-10 - Powers of Courts as to Trial and Disposition of Cases Generally.

Section 12-14-10
Powers of courts as to trial and disposition of cases generally.
Municipal courts shall have the authority to continue the case from time to time to permit the fine and costs to be paid, remit fines, costs and fees, impose intermittent sentences, establish work release programs, require attendance of educational, corrective or rehabilitative programs, suspend driving privileges for such times and under such conditions as provided by law and order hearings to determine the competency of the defendant to stand trial; provided further, that the court may enter an order authorizing the defendant to drive under the conditions set forth in the order.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-104.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-11 - Acceptance of Defendant's Bond Upon Showing of Inability to Make Immediate Payment of Fines and Costs; Issuance of Execution on Bond Upon Nonpayment of Fines and Costs.

Section 12-14-11
Acceptance of defendant's bond upon showing of inability to make immediate payment of fines and costs; issuance of execution on bond upon nonpayment of fines and costs.
Upon conviction, the court may, upon a showing of inability to make immediate payment of fines and costs, accept defendant's bond with or without surety and with waiver of exemptions as to personalty, such fines and costs to be payable within 90 days and, upon nonpayment of which execution may issue upon the bond as upon judgments in state courts.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-104.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-12 - Requirement of Working Out of Amount of Judgment When Not Paid Within Time Prescribed.

Section 12-14-12
Requirement of working out of amount of judgment when not paid within time prescribed.
The judgment of the municipal court may provide that if a fine and costs are not paid within the time prescribed, the defendant shall workout the amount of the judgment under the direction of the municipal authority, allowing not less than $10.00 for each day's service.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-104.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-14 - Court Costs.

Section 12-14-14
Court costs.
In addition to any costs and charges fixed by law upon conviction for violations of municipal ordinances in municipalities having a municipal court, $12.00 shall be assessed and collected as other costs and charges are collected. Five dollars of such sum shall be remitted to the State General Fund; $5.00 shall be remitted to the general fund of the municipality maintaining the municipal court; and $2.00 shall be remitted to the Alabama Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund established pursuant to Section 36-21-66. In addition, the governing body of each municipality having a municipal court may by ordinance provide for the imposition of other costs in the maximum amount of $10.00, which sum shall be in addition to any other costs and charges fixed by law for conviction of any municipal ordinance violation.
In addition in all violations of municipal ordinances involving traffic offenses, there shall be assessed and collected as other costs and charges $8.50, to be disbursed to the State Drivers' Fund for further distribution pursuant to Section 32-5-313.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-107; Acts 1987, No. 87-405, p. 575, §14; Acts 1991, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 91-824, p. 224, §4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-15 - Power of Mayor to Remit Fines and Costs, Commute Sentences Imposed by Municipal Judges, etc.; Report of Actions to Municipal Governing Body.

Section 12-14-15
Power of mayor to remit fines and costs, commute sentences imposed by municipal judges, etc.; report of actions to municipal governing body.
The mayor may remit fines and such costs as are payable to the municipality and commute sentences imposed by a municipal court or the court to which an appeal was taken for violations of municipal ordinances and may grant pardons, after conviction, for violation of such ordinances, and he shall report his action to the council or other governing body at the first regular meeting thereof in the succeeding month with his reasons therefor in writing.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-104.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-16 - Reports as to Proceedings of Courts.

Section 12-14-16
Reports as to proceedings of courts.
Municipalities shall report on the proceedings of their municipal courts as required by law or rule.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-115.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-18 - Remittance of Court Costs, Fines and Forfeitures Previously Collected Upon Abolition of Municipal Court.

Section 12-14-18
Remittance of court costs, fines and forfeitures previously collected upon abolition of municipal court.
When a municipal court is abolished as provided by law, the court costs, fines and forfeitures collected by the court clerk as a result of enforcement of ordinances of the municipality shall be remitted as follows: Ninety percent of the fines and forfeitures and 10 percent of the costs, exclusive of earmarked funds, shall be paid to the treasurer of the municipality or to the officer corresponding to the treasurer thereof within 30 days after receipt by the clerk of the circuit and/or district court.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-117.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-14-19 - Procedure for Reestablishment of Municipal Courts and Effect Thereof.

Section 12-14-19
Procedure for reestablishment of municipal courts and effect thereof.
(a) Any municipality which shall have abolished its municipal court may thereafter by ordinance reestablish such court in the manner provided in this section.
(b) A copy of the proposed ordinance shall be sent by certified mail to the officers specified in Section 12-14-17 to receive notice of the abolition of municipal courts, together with notice stating the time and place of the meeting at which such ordinance shall be considered for adoption, which shall be not less than 15 days from the date of mailing such notice.
(c) Such ordinance upon its adoption shall specify the effective date of the reestablishment of the municipal court, which in no event shall be sooner than the following stipulated minimums:
(1) In municipalities with a population of 5,000 or less, the ordinance shall not have an effective date of less than 90 days subsequent to the date of adoption;
(2) In municipalities with a population of 5,001 and up to 50,000, the ordinance shall not have an effective date of less than 12 months subsequent to the date of adoption; and
(3) In municipalities with a population of 50,000 or more, the ordinance shall not have an effective date of less than five years subsequent to the date of adoption.
(d) A certified copy of the ordinance reestablishing a municipal court as adopted shall be transmitted forthwith by certified mail to the officers specified in Section 12-14-17 to receive notice of the abolition of municipal courts.
(e) All cases and processes pending upon the effective date of the reestablishment of the municipal court shall be delivered by the clerk of the district court to the clerk of the municipal court. Records of completed cases and inactive process shall be retained in the office of the clerk of the district court.
(f) On the effective date of transfer of pending cases as provided in this section, all proceedings relating to ordinance violations of the municipality reestablishing its municipal court shall be within the jurisdiction of the reestablished municipal court.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-113.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 2 - Judges. › Section 12-14-30 - Appointment, Terms of Office and Qualifications; Designation, etc., of Presiding Judge; Filling of Vacancies; Oath; Grounds for Disqualification of Judges From Hearing of Cases; Practice of Law or Receipt of Unauthorized Remuneration for Judicial Services by Full-Time Judges Prohibited.

Section 12-14-30
Appointment, terms of office and qualifications; designation, etc., of presiding judge; filling of vacancies; oath; grounds for disqualification of judges from hearing of cases; practice of law or receipt of unauthorized remuneration for judicial services by full-time judges prohibited.
(a) The governing body of the municipality shall, by vote of a majority of its members, appoint judges of the municipal court.
(b) The term of office of each full-time municipal judge shall be for a term of four years. The term of office of a municipal judge other than a full-time municipal judge shall be two years. The term of either full-time or part-time municipal judges shall continue until a successor has been appointed and qualified.
(c) In the event that a municipality has more than one judge, the mayor shall designate a presiding judge, who shall have such additional duties and powers and be entitled to receive such additional compensation as provided by ordinance.
(d) Each judge must be licensed to practice law in this state and must be a qualified elector of the state. No judge shall be otherwise employed in any capacity by the municipality during his term of office.
(e) The office of a municipal judge shall be vacant if he dies, resigns or is removed, and vacancies shall be filled by the municipal governing body in the same manner as original appointments are made.
(f) Each municipal judge shall, before assuming office, take and sign the oath provided by the Constitution, and a copy thereof shall be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State, the Administrative Director of Courts and the clerk of the municipality; provided, that failure to file as required by this subsection shall not render invalid any act, order or judgment of said judge.
(g) Municipal judges shall be subject to all grounds of disqualification from hearing specific cases as are applicable to circuit judges.
(h) No full-time municipal judge shall, during his continuance in office, engage in the practice of law or receive any remuneration for his judicial service, except the salary and allowances authorized by the municipality.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-102.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 2 - Judges. › Section 12-14-31 - Powers Generally; Designation of Other Municipal Officers to Approve Appearance and Appeal Bonds.

Section 12-14-31
Powers generally; designation of other municipal officers to approve appearance and appeal bonds.
(a) A municipal judge may administer oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses and compel the production of books and papers, punish by fine not exceeding $50.00 and/or imprisonment not exceeding five days any person found and adjudged to be in contempt of court and shall have power coextensive with the jurisdiction of the district court to issue writs and other process and to approve and declare bonds forfeited. In contempt of court cases brought pursuant to Section 12-19-311(c) and (d), a municipal judge may punish by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).
(b) The municipal judge or, when there is more than one judge in the municipality, the presiding judge shall designate any other municipal officers who shall be authorized to approve appearance and appeal bonds.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-108; Act 2013-193, p. 360, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 2 - Judges. › Section 12-14-32 - Issuance of Arrest and Search Warrants.

Section 12-14-32
Issuance of arrest and search warrants.
Municipal judges are authorized to issue arrest and search warrants for municipal ordinance violations returnable to the municipal court and for violations of state law returnable to any state court.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-110.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 2 - Judges. › Section 12-14-33 - Salary; Retirement.

Section 12-14-33
Salary; retirement.
(a) The salary of the municipal judges shall be fixed from time to time by the municipal governing body and paid by the municipality, but no judge's salary shall be diminished during his term of office.
(b) A general increase in the compensation of all or substantially all city employees shall be applied proportionately to the salaries of such judges.
(c) The municipality may provide for the retirement of municipal judges, with such conditions, retirement benefits and pensions for them and their dependents as it may prescribe.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-103.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 2 - Judges. › Section 12-14-34 - Acting Municipal Judges.

Section 12-14-34
Acting municipal judges.
In the event of the absence from the municipality, death, disability or disqualification of a municipal judge for any reason, the mayor of the municipality shall have the authority to designate a person, licensed to practice law in the state and a qualified elector of the state, not otherwise employed in any capacity by the municipality, to serve as acting municipal judge with all power and authority of a duly appointed municipal judge. No such acting judge may serve for more than 30 successive days or a total of 60 days in any calendar year; provided, that when the duly appointed municipal judge is disqualified pursuant to the Constitution, the time of service limitations for acting judges shall not apply during such disqualification.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-111.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 3 - Municipal Court Administrative Agency and Magistrates. › Section 12-14-50 - Municipal Court Administrative Agency Authorized; Powers and Duties Thereof; Persons Deemed Officials of Agency; Judicial Powers Thereof Generally.

Section 12-14-50
Municipal court administrative agency authorized; powers and duties thereof; persons deemed officials of agency; judicial powers thereof generally.
The municipal court may have under its supervision a municipal court administrative agency empowered to provide expeditious service in connection with administrative adjudication of ordinance violations, the handling of uniform traffic tickets and complaints, the issuance of arrest warrants and other powers provided by law.
The personnel designated by the judge or judges of the municipal court for the accounting of uniform traffic tickets or complaints and magistrates shall be considered as officials of such administrative agency.
Such officials shall be vested with judicial power reasonably incident to the accomplishment of the purposes and responsibilities of the administrative agency.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-110.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 3 - Municipal Court Administrative Agency and Magistrates. › Section 12-14-52 - Supreme Court to Provide Rules of Administration for Agency.

Section 12-14-52
Supreme Court to provide rules of administration for agency.
The Supreme Court shall provide rules of administration for such administrative agency, including the bonding of all officials who will be handling money.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-110.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 3 - Municipal Court Administrative Agency and Magistrates. › Section 12-14-53 - Reimbursement by New Employer for Training Expenses.

Section 12-14-53
Reimbursement by new employer for training expenses.
In those instances in which a municipal court clerk or municipal court magistrate of any municipality is employed by another municipality within 24 months after completing the certification requirements pursuant to Rule 18 I.(B)(3) of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, the total expense paid by the municipal court clerk's employer or the municipal court magistrate's employer to enable the municipal court clerk or municipal court magistrate to become certified, including, but not limited to, salary paid during training, transportation costs paid to the trainee for travel to and from the training facility, room, board, tuition, overtime paid to other employees who fill in for the trainee during his or her absence, and any other related training expenses, shall be reimbursed to the municipality which paid for the training. The municipality which paid for the training shall submit an itemized sworn statement to the new employer of the municipal court clerk or municipal court magistrate, as the case may be, shall demand payment thereof, and may enforce collection of the obligation through civil remedies and procedures. The terms "municipal court clerk" and "municipal court magistrate" refer to those persons appointed pursuant to Rule 18 I.(B)(1) of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration.
(Acts 1996, No. 96-626, p. 997, §4; Act 2002-424, p. 1090, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 3 - Municipal Court Administrative Agency and Magistrates. › Section 12-14-54 - Certification Program; Continuing Education Requirements.

Section 12-14-54
Certification program; continuing education requirements.
(a) Each municipal court clerk, within six months after taking office, shall enroll in a municipal court magistrates' certification program approved by the Administrative Director of Courts. Each municipal court magistrate who is not a municipal court clerk shall enroll in the certification program not later than six months from the date of his or her appointment. Each municipal court magistrate and municipal court clerk shall complete the program in the manner and within the time prescribed by the director and the Administrative Office of Courts. The director shall appoint a Municipal Magistrates' Certification Program Oversight Committee which shall make educational recommendations to the director for his or her approval. The director shall determine the appropriate administrative sanctions for noncompliance with this section.
(b) After completing the certification program, each municipal court clerk and municipal court magistrate shall meet annual educational requirements prescribed by the Administrative Director of Courts and the Administrative Office of Courts. The director shall determine the appropriate administrative sanctions for noncompliance with this section.
(Act 2009-710, p. 2092, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 4 - Appeals. › Section 12-14-71 - Appeals From Judgments of Circuit Courts and Proceedings Thereon.

Section 12-14-71
Appeals from judgments of circuit courts and proceedings thereon.
From the judgment of the circuit court, the municipality, in a case holding invalid an ordinance, or the defendant in any case, may appeal to the court of criminal appeals in like manner as in cases of appeals for convictions of violation of the criminal laws of the state. If the appeal is taken by the municipality, it shall not be required to give surety for the cost of appeal. When taken by the defendant, he may give bail with sufficient sureties, conditioned that he will appear and abide by the judgment of the appellate court; and, failing to give bail, he must be committed to the municipal jail, but he may give such bail at any time pending the appeal. When an appeal is taken by the defendant, bail is given pending the appeal and the judgment of conviction is affirmed or the appeal is dismissed, the defendant is bound by the undertaking of bail to surrender himself to the municipal authorities within 15 days from the date of such affirmance or dismissal; and, if he shall fail to do so, the clerk of the circuit court from which the appeal is taken, upon motion of the municipality, must endorse the bail bond forfeited, and a writ or writs of arrest must be issued by the clerk to the sheriff. Upon arrest the defendant shall be delivered to the municipal authorities, and the sentence must without delay be carried out as if no appeal had been taken. If bail is forfeited as provided in this section, a conditional judgment must be entered by the court in favor of the municipality and the same proceedings had thereon for the municipality as is authorized by law to be had in the name of the state in state cases.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §8-106.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 5 - Pretrial Diversion Program. › Section 12-14-90 - Establishment of Pretrial Diversion Program.

Section 12-14-90
Establishment of pretrial diversion program.
(a) The governing body of any municipality may establish or abolish a pretrial diversion program for that municipality and may provide for the assessment and collection of fees for the administration of such program.
(b) Any pretrial diversion program established pursuant to this article shall be under the supervision of the presiding judge for the municipality pursuant to any rules and regulations established by the municipal governing body. The presiding judge, with approval of the municipal governing body and the municipal prosecutor, may contract with any agency, person, or business entity for any service necessary to accomplish the purpose of this article.
(c) The presiding municipal judge, acting in consultation with the municipal prosecutor, shall have the authority to establish all rules and terms necessary for the implementation of a pretrial diversion program.
(Act 2013-353, p. 1265, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 5 - Pretrial Diversion Program. › Section 12-14-91 - Admittance Into Program; Completion of Program; Eligibility; Liability Under Program.

Section 12-14-91
Admittance into program; completion of program; eligibility; liability under program.
(a) A person charged with a criminal offense under the jurisdiction of the municipal court in a municipality that has established a pretrial diversion program may apply to the court for admittance to the program.
(b) Upon receipt of the application and recommendation of the municipal prosecutor, the judge shall determine whether to grant the individual admittance to the program.
(c) Upon admittance to the program, the individual shall be required to enter a plea of guilty at which time the case shall be placed in an administrative docket until such time as the offender has completed all requirements of the pretrial diversion program. Imposition of any sentence shall be deferred until such time as the offender completes the pretrial diversion program or is terminated from the program.
(d) In the event the offender does not satisfactorily complete the program and all terms thereof, the court shall impose an appropriate sentence in the same manner as with any guilty plea.
(e) Upon successful completion of the program and all terms thereof, the court shall dismiss the case pursuant to the rules established by the municipality.
(f) A holder of a commercial driver's license, an operator of a commercial motor vehicle, or a commercial driver learner permit holder who is charged with a violation of a traffic law in this state shall not be eligible for a pretrial diversion program pursuant to this article.
(g) Absent wantonness, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct, the municipality, or its officers or employees, shall have no liability, criminal or civil, for the conduct of any offender while participating in a pretrial diversion program established under this article or of any service provider or its agents that are contracted to or who have agreed to provide services to the pretrial diversion program.
(h) The municipality, or its officers or employees, shall have no liability, criminal or civil, for any injury or harm to the offender while the offender is a participant in any pretrial diversion program administered pursuant to this article The municipal prosecutor may require written agreed upon waivers of liability as a prerequisite for admittance into the pretrial diversion program.
(Act 2013-353, p. 1265, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 14 - Municipal Courts. › Article 5 - Pretrial Diversion Program. › Section 12-14-92 - Programs Established Under Local Law.

Section 12-14-92
Programs established under local law.
If, on May 24, 2013, a municipal pretrial diversion program, or an equivalent, has been established by local law, the municipal governing body of the municipality governed by such local law may choose to come under the provisions of this article or continue under the provisions of the local law.
(Act 2013-353, p. 1265, §3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-101 - Purpose of the Alabama Juvenile Justice Act; Short Title; Goals for the Juvenile Court.

Section 12-15-101
Purpose of the Alabama Juvenile Justice Act; short title; goals for the juvenile court.
(a) This chapter shall be known as the Alabama Juvenile Justice Act. The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate the care, protection, and discipline of children who come under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, while acknowledging the responsibility of the juvenile court to preserve the public peace and security.
(b) In furtherance of this purpose, the following goals have been established for the juvenile court:
(1) To preserve and strengthen the family of the child whenever possible, including improvement of the home environment of the child.
(2) To remove the child from the custody of his or her parent or parents only when it is judicially determined to be in his or her best interests or for the safety and protection of the public.
(3) To reunite a child with his or her parent or parents as quickly and as safely as possible when the child has been removed from the custody of his or her parent or parents unless reunification is judicially determined not to be in the best interests of the child.
(4) To secure for any child removed from parental custody the necessary treatment, care, guidance, and discipline to assist him or her in becoming a responsible, productive member of society.
(5) To promote a continuum of services for children and their families from prevention to aftercare, considering wherever possible, prevention, diversion, and early intervention.
(6) To promote the use of community-based alternatives as deterrents to acts of juvenile delinquency and as least restrictive dispositional alternatives.
(7) To hold a child found to be delinquent accountable for his or her actions to the extent of the age, education, mental and physical condition, and background of the child, and all other relevant factors and to provide a program of supervision, care, and rehabilitation, including restitution by the child to the victim of his or her delinquent acts.
(8) To achieve the foregoing goals in the least restrictive setting necessary, with a preference at all times for the preservation of the family and the integration of parental accountability and participation in treatment and counseling programs.
(c) Judicial procedures through which these goals are accomplished will assure the parties a fair hearing where their constitutional and other statutory rights are recognized and enforced.
(d) This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that each child coming under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court shall receive the care, guidance, and control, preferably in his or her own home, necessary for the welfare of the child and the best interests of the state.
(Acts 1990, No. 90-674, p. 1304, §1; Acts 1997, No. 97-621, p. 1087, §1; §12-15-1.1; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-103 - Juvenile Court Judges May Be Circuit or District Court Judges; Maintenance of Separate Juvenile Case Action Summaries; Promulgation of Rules of Procedure for Juvenile Courts; Powers of Judges of Juvenile Courts as to Issuance of Writs and Processes and as to Equity Generally.

Section 12-15-103
Juvenile court judges may be circuit or district court judges; maintenance of separate juvenile case action summaries; promulgation of rules of procedure for juvenile courts; powers of judges of juvenile courts as to issuance of writs and processes and as to equity generally.
(a) A circuit or district court judge may be designated as a juvenile court judge.
(b) The juvenile court shall maintain a separate docketing and case filing system.
(c) The Supreme Court of Alabama shall promulgate rules governing procedure in the juvenile court.
(d) The juvenile court shall issue all writs and processes necessary to the exercise of its jurisdiction and to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
(e) The judge of the juvenile court shall issue warrants of arrest, pick-up orders, and writs of habeas corpus to have individuals brought before the juvenile court pursuant to this chapter.
(f) The juvenile court shall have and exercise equity power.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-102; §12-15-2; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-104 - Advisory Boards.

Section 12-15-104
Advisory boards.
(a) The presiding juvenile court judge may appoint not less than five nor more than 25 citizens of the county, known for their interest in the welfare of children, who shall serve without compensation, to constitute and be the advisory board of the juvenile court in matters relating to the welfare of children. The membership of the advisory board shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban or rural, and economic diversity of the county. The advisory board shall organize by electing officers and by adopting bylaws, rules, and regulations for its government as it shall deem best for the purposes of this chapter. The board shall hold office at the pleasure of the juvenile court or of the judge thereof.
(b) The duties of the advisory board shall be as follows:
(1) To assist the juvenile court in securing the services of volunteer juvenile probation officers when the services of those officers shall be deemed necessary or desirable.
(2) To visit institutions which are charged with caring for children and, whenever practicable, other institutions to which the juvenile court from time to time may award legal custody.
(3) To advise and cooperate with the juvenile court upon all matters relating to the welfare of children.
(4) To recommend to the juvenile court any and all needful measures for the purpose of carrying out the provisions and intent of this chapter and to make themselves familiar with the work of the juvenile court pursuant to this chapter.
(5) To make, from time to time, a report to the public of the work of the juvenile court.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-106; §12-15-4; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-105 - Exercise of Authority by District Attorneys in Juvenile Court Proceedings Generally; Assistance by District Attorneys in the Juvenile Courts; Representation of the State by District Attorneys in Cases Appealed From Juvenile Courts.

Section 12-15-105
Exercise of authority by district attorneys in juvenile court proceedings generally; assistance by district attorneys in the juvenile courts; representation of the state by district attorneys in cases appealed from juvenile courts.
(a) The district attorney of the judicial circuit in which delinquency or child in need of supervision cases are filed may exercise his or her authority in all delinquency and child in need of supervision cases arising pursuant to this chapter.
(b) The juvenile court may call upon the district attorney to assist the juvenile court in any proceeding pursuant to this chapter. It shall be the duty of the district attorney to render this assistance when so requested.
(c) Notwithstanding Title 36, the district attorney shall represent the state in all delinquency and child in need of supervision cases appealed from the juvenile court.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-107; §12-15-5; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-107 - Juvenile Probation Officers - Duties of Juvenile Probation Officers Generally; Powers of Juvenile Probation Officers as to Taking Into Custody and Placing in Shelter or Detention Care of Children Generally; Procedure Upon Taking Into Custody of Child by Juvenile Probation Officer Generally.

Section 12-15-107
Juvenile probation officers - Duties of juvenile probation officers generally; powers of juvenile probation officers as to taking into custody and placing in shelter or detention care of children generally; procedure upon taking into custody of child by juvenile probation officer generally.
(a) For the purpose of carrying out the objectives and purposes of this chapter and subject to the limitations of this chapter or imposed by the juvenile court, a juvenile probation officer shall perform the following duties:
(1) Make investigations, reports, and recommendations to the juvenile court.
(2) Serve as a juvenile court intake officer when designated by the juvenile court judge.
(3) Supervise and assist a child placed on probation or aftercare by order of the juvenile court or other authority of law until the terms of probation or aftercare expire or are otherwise terminated.
(4) Make appropriate referrals to other private or public departments or agencies of the community if their assistance appears to be needed or desirable.
(5) Make predisposition studies and submit reports and recommendations to the juvenile court as required by this chapter.
(6) Collect and compile statistical data and file reports as may be required by the Administrative Director of Courts pursuant to subdivision (1) of Section 12-5-10. The reports may include, but shall not be limited to, statistical data, case studies, and research materials.
(7) Notify the state and either the parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian of a juvenile sex offender, or the child's attorney for the juvenile sex offender, of the pending release of the juvenile sex offender and provide them with a copy of the risk assessment pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 15-20A-26.
(8) Perform other functions as are designated by this chapter or directed by the juvenile court.
(b) For the purposes of this chapter, a juvenile probation officer with the approval of the juvenile court, shall have the power to take into custody and place in shelter or detention, subject to Section 12-15-208, a child who is on probation or aftercare under his or her supervision when the juvenile probation officer has reasonable cause to believe that the child has violated the conditions of his or her probation or aftercare, or that he or she may flee from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. A juvenile probation officer does not have the powers of a law enforcement officer.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-105; Acts 1984, No. 84-245, p. 387; Act 98-392, p. 782, §2; §12-15-7; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1; Act 2015-463, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-108 - Liability of Counties for Expenses of Maintenance and Care of Children Under the Jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court Pursuant to This Chapter; Reimbursement.

Section 12-15-108
Liability of counties for expenses of maintenance and care of children under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to this chapter; reimbursement.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all expenses necessary or appropriate to the carrying out of the purposes and intent of this chapter and all expenses of maintenance and care of children under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to this chapter that may be incurred by order of the juvenile court in carrying out the provisions and intent of this chapter (except costs paid by parents, legal guardians, legal custodians, or trustees and court costs as provided by law) shall be valid charges and preferred claims against the county . These claims shall be paid by the county treasurer when itemized and sworn to by the creditor or other persons knowing the facts in the case and when approved by the juvenile court. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a municipality shall reimburse the county the actual costs of housing, maintenance, and medical expenses of those children held in a facility utilized by the county for housing children, or other facility licensed by the Department of Youth Services utilized by the county, as a result of a child being cited or detained for an alleged violation of an ordinance of the municipality that is not based on a state criminal statute adopted by the municipality as a municipal ordinance.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-139; Act 2006-533, p. 1226, §1; §12-15-10; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-109 - Issuance of Orders to Parents for Payment of Court Costs, Fees of Attorneys, and Expenses for Support, Treatment of Children Under the Jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court Pursuant to This Chapter; Manner of Payment; Proceedings Upon Failure of Parents to Pay Amounts Directed.

Section 12-15-109
Issuance of orders to parents for payment of court costs, fees of attorneys, and expenses for support, treatment of children under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to this chapter; manner of payment; proceedings upon failure of parents to pay amounts directed.
If, after making a parent, or other person legally obligated to care for and support a child, a party to the action pursuant to this chapter and the Alabama Rules of Juvenile Procedure and after a hearing, the juvenile court finds that the parent or other person is financially able to pay all or part of the court costs, as provided by law, attorney fees, and expenses with respect to examination, treatment, care, detention, or support of the child incurred from the commencement of the proceeding in carrying out this chapter, the juvenile court shall order them to pay the same and may prescribe the manner of payment. Unless otherwise ordered, payment shall be made to the clerk of the juvenile court for remittance to those to whom compensation is due. If the child shall have an estate in the hands of a legal guardian, conservator, or trustee, the legal guardian, conservator, or trustee may be required to pay in a like manner. The juvenile court shall also order the parent or other person legally obligated to care for and support the child to apply for insurance and Medicaid. If the parent or other legally obligated person willfully fails or refuses to pay the sum, the juvenile court may proceed against him or her for civil or criminal contempt or both, and the order may be filed and shall constitute a civil judgment.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-139; §12-15-11; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-110 - Punishment for Contempt of Court of Persons Disobeying Orders of the Juvenile Court Generally.

Section 12-15-110
Punishment for contempt of court of persons disobeying orders of the juvenile court generally.
(a) Subject to the laws relating to the procedures therefor and the limitations thereon, the juvenile court may punish a person for contempt of court for disobeying an order of the juvenile court or for obstructing or interfering with the proceedings of the juvenile court or the enforcement of its orders.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), the juvenile court shall be limited in the actions it may take with respect to a child violating the terms and conditions of the order of protective supervision as this term is defined in subdivision (5) of Section 12-15-301, to those which the juvenile court could have taken at the time of the original disposition of the juvenile court pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 12-15-314.
(c) A finding of indirect contempt not based on a delinquency petition does not constitute an adjudication of delinquency.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-147; §12-15-12; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-111 - Contributing to the Delinquency, Dependency, or Need of Supervision of Children.

Section 12-15-111
Contributing to the delinquency, dependency, or need of supervision of children.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, or other person to do any of the following:
(1) To willfully aid, encourage, or cause any child to become or remain delinquent, dependent, or in need of supervision.
(2) To permit or encourage the employment of any child in violation of any of the provisions of the child labor law.
(3) To cause a child to fail to attend school as required by the compulsory school attendance law.
(b) Whenever, in the course of any proceedings pursuant to this chapter, or when, by affidavit as provided in this subsection, it shall appear to the juvenile court that a parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, or other person having custody, control, or supervision of a child or any other person not standing in any relation to the child has aided, encouraged, or caused the child to become delinquent, dependent, or in need of supervision, the juvenile court, for the protection of the child from these influences, shall have jurisdiction in these matters, as provided in this section. The juvenile court shall cause the parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, or other person to be brought before the juvenile court upon either summons or a warrant, affidavit of probable cause having first been made.
(c) Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and shall be punished accordingly.
(d) Upon conviction, the juvenile court may suspend any sentence, remit any fine, or place the person on probation pursuant to such orders, directives, or conditions for his or her discipline and supervision as the juvenile court deems fit.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-148; §12-15-13; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-112 - Interference With Performance of Duties by Juvenile Probation Officers.

Section 12-15-112
Interference with performance of duties by juvenile probation officers.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere knowingly with or oppose or otherwise obstruct any juvenile probation officer or representative of the Department of Human Resources in the performance of his or her duties pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and shall be punished accordingly.
(c) The juvenile court however, shall have the power to suspend any sentence, remit any fine, or place the person on probation pursuant to orders, directives, or conditions for his or her discipline and supervision as the juvenile court deems fit.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-150; §12-15-15; amended and renumbered by Act 2008-277, p. 441, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 12 - Courts. › Chapter 15 - Juvenile Proceedings. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 12-15-113 - Jurisdiction to Make a Parent or Parents, Legal Guardians, or Legal Custodians Parties to Juvenile Court Proceedings.

Section 12-15-113
Jurisdiction to make a parent or parents, legal guardians, or legal custodians parties to juvenile court proceedings.
A juvenile court shall have the authority to make a parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian a party to a juvenile court proceeding pursuant to procedures established by the Alabama Rules of Juvenile Procedure.
(Act 2008-277, p. 441, §2.)