Bessemer Division
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The Bessemer Division of the Jefferson County Family Court serves the citizens of the Bessemer Cut-Off in the areas of delinquent, dependent, and children in need of supervision. Proceedings before the juvenile court judge and juvenile court records are confidential (not open to the public). There are no jury trials in juvenile court. The Bessemer Division of the Jefferson County Family Court also presides over cases involving adults, which include paternity and child support.
A delinquent is a child under the age of 18 who has committed an offense which, if the individual were an adult, would be considered a crime. A dependent is a child who is orphaned, neglected, or abused and in need of care. Child in Need of Supervision (CHINS) is one who has committed an act which, if that child were an adult, -would not be considered a crime but is in need of care or rehabilitation, such as one who is habitually truant, disobedient to parents, or is a runaway.
There are some cases which the juvenile court cannot hear even if the individual is under the age of 18. The juvenile court does not have jurisdiction over juveniles 16 years of age or older charged with traffic offenses, except for driving under the influence (DUI) cases, or juveniles 16 years of age or older charged with any of the following offenses, which, if they were committed by an adult, would be: (1)a capital offense; (2) a Class A felony; (3) a felony which has an element of the offense the use of a deadly weapon; (4) a felony which has as an element the causing of death or serious physical injury; (5) a felony which involves the use of a dangerous instrument against certain officials or persons; and (6) trafficking in drugs.
How does a juvenile case begin?
Any individual, including a law enforcement officer, parent, relative, or neighbor, who has knowledge that a juvenile has committed a delinquent act, is in need of supervision, or is dependent may file a complaint with the juvenile court.
What happens after a complaint is filed?
A juvenile intake (probation) officer reviews the complaint to ensure that it is sufficient and decides whether a formal petition will be filed with the court. The intake officer will also notify the parents of the child's whereabouts if the child is detained. The intake officer will advise the child and the parents of their rights, including the right to have an attorney present at all proceedings.
The intake officer then decides whether or not the child should be released to the custody of his or her parents or placed in a licensed juvenile detention facility or, in the case of dependency and CHINS cases, placed in the care of the Department of Human Resources under what is called "shelter care."
Parents or guardians of a child may be made parties in all juvenile court actions, which means that a parent or guardian may be required to pay attorney fees, fines, court costs, restitution and other costs and/or carry out certain activities which the court deems is in the best interest of the child, such as participating in counseling.
Judge Vincent J.
Schilleci, Jr.
Room 511 Courthouse Annex
Bessemer, Alabama 35020
Jefferson County
Family Court, Intake Department
Jefferson County Courthouse
1801 3rd Ave. North, Room 307
Bessemer, Alabama 35020
Judge Vincent J.
Schilleci's Office
(205)481-4140
Fax: (205)481-4142
Bessemer Juvenile
Intake Department
(205)481-4225
Bessemer Juvenile
Probation Department
(205)481-4225
Bessemer Family
Court, Child Support Department
(205)481-4135
Fax:(205)481-4103