Terminology

• Youthful offenders are identified by several terms, according to Alabama Juvenile Probation. A "delinquent" is a juvenile who commits a crime that would be considered a criminal act in the adult court system. A "child in need of supervision (CHINS)" is a juvenile who commits an act that would not be considered a crime in juvenile court but warrants rehabilitation. A "dependent child" is one who suffers from neglect, abuse or who is orphaned. A "serious juvenile offender" commits acts that qualify as serious adult offenses. A youth in need of special services because of alcohol or drug dependency and/or emotional or mental problems is defined as a "multiple needs child."
  
  

Age & Crime Characteristics

• The majority of juveniles who commit a crime are handled by Alabama's Juvenile Justice System. In some cases, the juvenile may be turned over to the adult court system. According to Alabama's Juvenile Probation, any person above the age of 16 who commits a Class A felony, a capital offense or a felony that involves the use of a deadly weapon can be adjudicated in adult court. Other acts that justify removing the juvenile from the juvenile court system include committing a felony that causes death or serious physical injury, drug trafficking and use of a deadly instrument against a law officer or officer of the court. Traffic offenses for juveniles ages 16 and 17 are handled by the adult traffic court system, with the exception of DUI offenses.
  
  

Juvenile Court

• According to JuvenileDefender.org, the court removes a child from his home environment for two reasons: the safety and welfare of the child or for the protection of the public. In deciding juvenile cases, the court considers several factors, including age, mental and physical condition, education and background information. The court seeks to rehabilitate delinquent juvenile offenders. These defenders are held accountable for their actions and required to provide restitution to their victims.
  
  

Special Cases

• Juveniles who have been tried as adults cannot be tried as juveniles in subsequent cases. In dependency cases, court proceedings are held in the county where the child resides. In other juvenile cases, court proceedings are held in the county where the alleged crimes occurred. In cases that involve a minor and an adult, proceedings are held in the juvenile court system. These cases usually involve paternity issues, charges of non-support or desertion, commitment proceedings for mentally ill children or contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
  
  

Disposition

• The Southern Juvenile Defender Center gives several scenarios for disposition. The judge may sentence the child to probation, to the Department of Youth Services or to Boot Camp. The judge may require the child to be under protective supervision or to participate in aftercare services. Serious juvenile offenders are required to spend at least one year in detention at the Department of Youth Services.