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Alabama Code (Last Updated: November 28, 2014) |
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Title12 COURTS. |
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Chapter15. JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS. |
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Article1. General Provisions. |
§12-15-127. Release, delivery to detention or shelter care facility, medical facility of children taken into custody generally.
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(a) A person taking a child into custody without an order of the juvenile court shall, with all possible speed, and in accordance with this chapter and the rules of court pursuant thereto:
(1) Release the child to the parents, legal guardian, or legal custodian of the child or other suitable person able to provide supervision and care for the child and issue verbal counsel and warning as may be appropriate.
(2) Release the child to the parents, legal guardian, or legal custodian of the child upon his or her promise to bring the child before the juvenile court when requested, unless the placement of the child in detention or shelter care appears required. If a parent, legal guardian, or other legal custodian fails, when requested, to bring the child before the juvenile court as provided in this section, the juvenile court may issue an order directing that the child be taken into custody and brought before the juvenile court.
(3) Bring the child, if not released, to the place designated by the juvenile court and give written notice of the action taken and the reasons for taking the child into custody to the juvenile court intake officer, to the parent, legal guardian, or other legal custodian of the child, and, in the case of dependency, to the Department of Human Resources.
(b) Prior to authorizing the admission of the child to detention, shelter, or other care, the juvenile court intake officer, on an allegation of delinquency or in need of supervision or of dependency, shall review the need for detention or shelter care, including reviewing the written notice of the person who took the child into custody without an order of the juvenile court, and shall direct the law enforcement officer or other person currently having the child in custody to release the child unless detention or shelter care is required pursuant to Section 12-15-128. The juvenile court intake officer may allow release with or without electronic or telephone monitoring pending the 72-hour hearing requirement.
(c) A person taking a child or minor into custody pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of Section 12-15-125 shall bring the child or minor to a medical or mental health facility if the child or minor is believed to be suffering from a serious mental health condition, illness, or injury which requires either prompt treatment or prompt diagnosis for the welfare of the child or minor or for evidentiary purposes, and, in the most expeditious manner possible, give notice of the action taken together with a statement of taking the child or minor into custody in writing to the court, the parents, legal guardian or other legal custodian and to the intake office and to the Department of Human Resources in the case of a dependency allegation.