[email protected]
The Burdick Law Firm<br />205.565.8909
  • Home
  • Attorney Profile
  • Practice Areas
  • Burdick Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Recommendations
  • Links
  • News & Public Docs

Juvenile Justice - Protection From Liberty

2/17/2015

0 Comments

 
The Juvenile Criminal Court has some significant differences from the adult Criminal Court. In juvenile cases there is an emphasis placed on protecting the privacy of a child. We don't publicize cases that involve juveniles. We are committed to keeping juvenile defendants anonymous by not releasing their cases and closing the doors to the public. The doors to the courtroom are closed to the public and few other than officers of the court and witnesses attend any portion of a juvenile trial. This privacy is understandable and serves the purpose of protecting the child. However, sometimes this emphasis on privacy works against the child. when the child is not afforded a public trial they are not afforded the protection of public scrutiny of the process to which they are subjected. This prevents them from having a jury. The right to a jury is a significant protection granted by the 7th Amendment and the Constitution of Alabama.

Juvenile defendants are also subjected to different procedures with regard to the bedrock principle of being viewed as "innocent until proven guilty." If a juvenile is taken into custody they are entitled to have a hearing within 72 hours to determine whether or not they pose a threat to themselves or others. However, bond is not set. They cannot bond out at any cost. They can be held indefinitely even though they have not been proven guilty. 

Juveniles are also denied other rights granted to adults under the Constitution. The purpose of this narrative is not to list every defect in the law but to acquaint the public with the risks that are present due to a hyper sensitivity to privacy even to the detriment of fundamental rights. Feel free to comment below. All comments will be reviewed for spam. Differing viewpoints are welcome, but only relevant posts will be allowed.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Austin Burdick

    Austin is an experienced litigation and constitutional law attorney.

    Archives

    September 2018
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    May 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    November 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    The following language is required pursuant to Rule 7.2, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.