Alabama § 12-15-219 - Serious Juvenile Offenders; Disposition; Serious Juvenile Offender Review Panel; Facility and Programs.

§ 12-15-219. Serious Juvenile Offenders; Disposition; Serious Juvenile Offender Review Panel; Facility and Programs.

(a) The juvenile court may find a child to be a serious juvenile offender if:

(1) The child is adjudicated delinquent and the delinquent act or acts charged in the petition would constitute any of the following if committed by an adult:

a. A Class A felony.

b. A felony resulting in serious physical injury as defined in subdivision (14) of Section 13A-1-2.

c. A felony involving deadly physical force as defined in subdivision (6) of Section 13A-1-2; or a deadly weapon as defined in subdivision (7) of Section 13A-1-2; or a dangerous instrument as defined in subdivision (5) of Section 13A-1-2.

(2) The child has been adjudicated delinquent for an act which would constitute a Class A or B felony or burglary in the third degree involving a residence and the child has previously been adjudicated delinquent of two previous acts which would have been a Class A or B felony or burglary in the third degree involving a residence if the acts had been committed by an adult.

(b) A child found to be a serious juvenile offender shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Youth Services, where he or she shall remain for a minimum of one year.

(c) A serious juvenile offender review panel shall be created by the Board of the Department of Youth Services. The serious juvenile offender review panel shall review quarterly the progress of each serious juvenile offender and determine at the end of the one-year term served by each child, a further treatment plan for that child. The panel may extend the commitment, order alternative treatment, or release the child. The serious juvenile offender review panel shall provide the juvenile court with all reports and recommendations, and notify the judge in writing of the decision to release the child at least 30 days in advance of the release.

(d) The Department of Youth Services shall maintain and staff a separate, secure facility and implement programs for serious juvenile offenders. The minimum one-year term required by this section shall be served at the facility and the review panel may extend the period of confinement in the facility as determined necessary.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the juvenile court from transferring a child for criminal prosecution pursuant to Section 12-15-203.