YOUR DEPENDENCY & DELINQUENCY ATTORNEYS
Juvenile Law
Juvenile law is a specialized subset of law with its own statutes, rules, and guidelines. Whether your juvenile case is a dependency case involving custody or a delinquency case concerning a juvenile who broke the law, you need an attorney who understands the nuances of juvenile law in Alabama. Every lawyer can be a juvenile lawyer, but not every lawyer is a juvenile lawyer. You need legal counsel who understands the juvenile process and can guide you through the process, which is unique in the entire court system. The juvenile law attorneys at McDowell, Faulk & Shirley can be both your guide and advocate through either the juvenile dependency or juvenile delinquency process.
Juvenile Dependency
A juvenile dependency action is focused on the custody of a child. In order for the Juvenile Court to act, it must find that a child is dependent – meaning that the child’s parents, for whatever reason, cannot at the present moment care for the child. These cases might be between family members or might include the Department of Human Resources. Whenever both parents can’t care for a child, juvenile dependency comes into play.
Juvenile dependency actions usually involve claims of child abuse or neglect, and can be brought by anyone concerned about the best interests of the child. For example, a grandparent may file a dependency action because a child’s parents can’t care for the child. Or, the Department of Human Resources, may say that a parent is unfit, unwilling, or unable to parent their child and may want to place the child in foster care. Juvenile dependency is the legal avenue through which to establish custody of a child and provide for his or her protection when circumstances at home are not ideal.
Juvenile dependency law is not glamourous, but it is impactful as it can have a positive effect on the lives of children – that’s why the attorneys of McDowell, Faulk & Shirley practice juvenile dependency. Our attorneys are very experienced with juvenile court and the special laws and rules that apply.
Juvenile Delinquency
The specialized nature of juvenile delinquency in Alabama means it is best to hire a lawyer to help with the process. Juvenile delinquency charges require the child to be 18 or younger and to have been charged with some type of misconduct. A child can be found delinquent when he or she has been adjudicated as having broken some law. Delinquency can range from charges for truancy all the way to weapons, assault, or other criminal-type charges. The Alabama juvenile justice system focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment, aiming to help minors make positive changes and avoid future legal troubles. However, these cases can still carry serious consequences, including probation, detention, and a lasting impact on your child’s legal record.
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Contact
- P: (334) 365-5924
- F: (334) 365-6016
- 145 W. Main St., Prattville, AL
- office@mcdowellfaulk.com
