Criminal Defense
Dothan Juvenile Defense Lawyer
When a child is arrested, parents have urgent questions about detention, school, and the future. Alabama's juvenile system works differently from adult court, and early decisions matter.
The short answer
In Alabama, most charges against a child under 18 are handled in juvenile court, where the goal includes rehabilitation and a finding is an adjudication, not a criminal conviction. But some older teens charged with serious felonies can be sent to adult court, either automatically or after a transfer hearing. A Dothan juvenile defense lawyer can protect your child's rights from the first hearing.
- Juvenile court age
- Generally under 18 at the time of the offense
- Outcome
- Adjudication, not a criminal conviction
- Adult court
- Possible for some older teens and serious charges
- Records
- Can often be sealed later
Dothan Law Group defends children and teenagers charged with offenses in Dothan, Houston County, and across the Wiregrass, and helps parents understand a system most families have never seen. Juvenile cases can involve school fights, shoplifting, vandalism, drug and alcohol charges, vehicle offenses, weapons charges, and more serious felonies.
What should parents do right after a child’s arrest?
- Tell your child not to talk about the case with police, school staff, other students, or on social media. Children have the right to remain silent and to a lawyer.
- Ask where your child is being held and when the detention hearing will be.
- Call a lawyer before any questioning if you can. Do not agree to an interview “to clear things up.”
- Gather school records, report cards, and activities. These help show a judge who your child really is.
- Keep every paper you receive from the police, school, or court.
How is juvenile court different from adult court?
In Alabama, most charges against a child under 18 at the time of the offense are handled in juvenile court. In Houston County, juvenile cases are heard in the county’s juvenile court in Dothan. Key differences:
| Juvenile court | Adult court | |
|---|---|---|
| Who decides | A judge | A judge or jury |
| What a finding is called | Adjudication of delinquency | Criminal conviction |
| Main goals | Rehabilitation, accountability, and public safety | Punishment and public safety |
| Privacy | Hearings and records are more protected | Generally public |
| Possible outcomes | Probation, programs, restitution, custody of the Department of Youth Services | Fines, probation, jail, or prison |
Alabama-specific: Children have special protections when questioned. Before a child in custody is questioned, Alabama law requires officers to explain the child’s rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to a lawyer, and the right to communicate with a parent or guardian. Whether those warnings were properly given can be an important issue in the case.
Can my child be tried as an adult?
Sometimes. Alabama law handles this in two ways:
- Automatic adult court. A 16- or 17-year-old charged with certain serious felonies, such as capital offenses, Class A felonies, and some felonies involving a deadly weapon or serious injury, is generally charged as an adult.
- Transfer hearing. For other serious charges, the State can ask the juvenile court to transfer a child 14 or older to adult court. The judge considers the offense, the child’s age, maturity, record, and whether the child can be helped in the juvenile system.
A transfer hearing can shape your child’s entire future. It deserves careful preparation, including school records, family support, and evaluations where helpful.
What happens at a detention hearing?
If your child is held in juvenile detention, a judge generally must hold a detention hearing within a short time, usually a few days. The judge decides whether your child can go home before the case is resolved and on what conditions, such as curfew, school attendance, and staying away from certain people. Strong family support and a plan for supervision can make a real difference.
What are the possible outcomes in juvenile court?
Depending on the charge and the child’s history, a juvenile case may end with:
- Dismissal or an informal adjustment without a formal finding.
- Diversion or programs, such as counseling, community service, or substance abuse treatment.
- Probation with conditions.
- Restitution to a victim.
- Commitment to the Alabama Department of Youth Services in more serious cases.
Can a juvenile record be sealed?
Often, yes. Alabama law allows many juvenile records to be sealed after the case is complete and a waiting period has passed, as long as the young person has not been in more trouble. Some serious offenses are excluded. Sealing can matter for college, the military, jobs, and housing. See also our expungement page for adult records.
What if my teen is charged in adult court?
If your teen is 18 to 20, or a younger teen’s case is in adult court, ask about youthful offender status. If the judge grants it, the case is handled more privately, the outcome is not a criminal conviction, and the possible sentence is limited. It is not automatic, and the request should be made carefully.
Talk to a Dothan juvenile defense lawyer
If your child was arrested or charged in Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark, Headland, Daleville, or anywhere in the Wiregrass, call Dothan Law Group at (334) 793-4354. Criminal defense consultations carry a fee, which we explain when you call.
Frequently asked questions
Should my child talk to the police without a lawyer?
No. Children have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer, and Alabama law gives children special warnings before questioning. Politely tell officers your child will not answer questions without a lawyer, and call one right away. Statements a child makes can be used against them.
Will my child have a criminal record?
A juvenile adjudication in Alabama is generally not a criminal conviction, and juvenile records are more protected than adult records. Many juvenile records can be sealed later. But a case transferred to adult court is treated like an adult case, so how the case is handled from the start matters.
Can my child be tried as an adult in Alabama?
Sometimes. Alabama law generally sends 16- and 17-year-olds charged with certain serious felonies, such as capital offenses, Class A felonies, and some felonies involving a deadly weapon, directly to adult court. For other serious charges, a juvenile court judge can transfer a child 14 or older to adult court after a hearing.
What happens at a juvenile detention hearing?
If your child is held in detention, a judge generally holds a hearing quickly, usually within a few days, to decide whether your child can go home while the case is pending and on what conditions. A lawyer can present reasons for release, such as school, family support, and supervision at home.
Can a juvenile record be sealed in Alabama?
Often, yes. Alabama law allows many juvenile records to be sealed after the case is finished and a waiting period has passed, if the young person has stayed out of trouble. Some serious offenses are excluded. A lawyer can review eligibility.
What is youthful offender status?
Youthful offender status is an Alabama program for people under 21 charged in adult court. If a judge grants it, the case is handled more privately, the outcome is not a criminal conviction, and the possible sentence is limited. It is decided by the judge and is not automatic.
