(a) When a child is not released from detention or shelter care as provided in Section 12-15-127, a petition shall be filed and a hearing held within 72 hours of placement in detention or shelter care, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays included, to determine probable cause and to determine whether or not continued detention or shelter care is required.
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Terms Used In Alabama Code 12-15-207

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
(b) Notice of the detention or shelter care hearing, either verbal or written, stating the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing and the right to counsel shall be given by a juvenile probation officer to the parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian if they can be found and to the child if the child is over 12 years of age .
(c) At the commencement of the detention or shelter care hearing, the juvenile court shall advise the parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, and the parties of the right to counsel and shall appoint counsel if the juvenile court determines they are indigent. The parties shall be informed of the right of the child to remain silent. The parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, and the parties shall also be informed of the contents of the petition and, except as provided herein, shall be given an opportunity to admit or deny the allegations of the petition. Prior to the acceptance of an admission of the allegations of the petition, the juvenile court shall:

(1) Verify if the child was previously convicted or adjudicated a youthful offender pursuant to Section 12-15-203 or
(2) rule on any motion of the prosecutor requesting the juvenile court to transfer the child for criminal prosecution. The juvenile court shall not accept a plea of guilt or an admission to the allegations of the petition in any case in which the child will be transferred for prosecution as an adult, either by grant of the motion of the prosecutor to transfer or pursuant to Section 12-15-203.
(d) All relevant and material evidence helpful in determining the need for detention or shelter care may be admitted by the juvenile court even though not admissible in subsequent hearings.
(e) If the child is not released and no parent, legal guardian, or other legal custodian has been notified and none appeared or waived appearance at the hearing, upon the filing of an affidavit by the parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian stating these facts and requesting a hearing, the juvenile court shall rehear the matter within 24 hours
(f) If a person 18 years of age or older is alleged to have violated a condition of probation or aftercare after the person was adjudicated to be delinquent, the juvenile court may order that the person be confined in the appropriate jail or lockup for adults as ordered by the juvenile court.
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