Welcome to the official website for the Autauga County Juvenile Court.  The Court is comprised of a Judge, a judicial assistant, and three probation officers. There is also a juvenile court clerk that serves under the authority of the Autauga County Circuit Clerk. Should you need assistance of the Juvenile Court, your first stop is either the Juvenile Probation Office located in room 102 or the Juvenile Clerk’s Office in Room 103 of the Autauga County Courthouse, 134 North Court Street, Prattville, Alabama.

The Juvenile Court Office accepts petitions for delinquency, dependency, and allegations of a child in need of supervision.   The Code of Alabama generally defines these petitions as follows: 

Delinquency – a petition alleging that a child has committed a violation, misdemeanor, or felony offense.  Ala. Code 12-15-102(6)-(7).

Dependency – a petition alleging that a child (1) whose parent or guardian has subjected the child to abuse or neglect; (2) is without a parent or guardian to provide for the care or support of the child; (3) whose parent are guardian neglects or refuses to provide medical care for the child; (4) whose parent or guardian refuses or neglects to send the child to school; (5) whose parent or guardian has abandoned the child; (6) whose parent or guardian is unable or unwilling to discharge their parental responsibilities; (7) has been placed for care or adoption in violation of the law; OR (8) for any other reason, is in need of the care and protection of the state.  Ala. Code 12-15-102(8). 

Child in Need of Supervision (CHINS) – a petition alleging that a child (1) subject to compulsory school attendance is habitually truant; (2) disobeys the reasonable and lawful demands of his parent or guardian; (3) leaves or remains away from home without the permission of his parent or guardian; OR (4) commits an offense not classified as criminal.  Ala. Code 12-15-102(4).

TRUANCY

The Juvenile Court Office also deals regularly with Truancy—compulsory school attendance—matters. Alabama law, with limited exceptions, requires all children between the ages of 6 and 17 to be enrolled in school or engaged in an authorized home school program. Ala. Code 16-28-3.  Chronic absenteeism and truancy contribute directly to poverty, crime, and the numbers of dependent children and children in need of supervision.  Accordingly, the Autauga County Juvenile Court devotes significant resources to prevent and address chronic absenteeism. 

Chief among those efforts is the Early Warning Truancy (EWT) sessions conducted in partnership with local Boards of Education where children and their parents or guardians are addressed by the Juvenile Court who explains the consequences of Truancy.  In addition to the long-term detriment to the child, there are immediate consequences that may be assessed against the parents and the student.  A child is legally Truant at seven unexcused absences in a school year.  Ala. Admin. Code 290-3-1-.02.

If a child is adjudicated on a charge of Truancy the parent will be made a party to the action.

A parent or guardian may be held in contempt of court for failure to compel their child to attend school.  A penalty of up to five days in jail and a $100.00 fine for each unexcused absence is a possibility.

A parent or guardian may be charged, arrested, and convicted of Failure to Comply with the Compulsory Attendance Law.  A potential penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.00 is possible.  Ala. Code 16-28-12.

A parent or guardian may be charged, arrested, and convicted of Contributing to the Delinquency, Dependency, or Need of Supervision of a Child.  A potential penalty of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $6,000.00 is possible.  Ala. Code 12-15-111.

To avoid these consequences, the Juvenile Court and Board of Education hold the EWT meetings to ensure that all parents and guardians have adequate opportunity to learn of the potential consequences of failing to ensure that their student attends school.

RESOURCES AND CHILDREN’S POLICY COUNCIL

Autauga County is fortunate to have the unwavering commitment of multiple agencies, organizations, and private citizens in support of the mission of the Juvenile Court.  Some of those resources, as well as opportunities to become involved, are highlighted here.

The Juvenile Court Judge presides over the Autauga County Children’s Policy Council (CPC).  The purpose of the CPC is to review the needs of children and their families in the county and to attempt to obtain services that meet those needs.  This includes compiling and maintaining a resource guide for services currently available in the County.

Contact information for agencies providing services to the children of Autauga County can be found in the CPC Resource Directory.

Anyone offering services to youth and families of Autauga County, or who are interested in improving services here, are welcome to attend.  Bi-monthly meetings are held at 8:30 a.m. at the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce.  For more information, contact, Amanda Kinney, Judicial Assistant, (334) 358-6820, amanda.kinney@alacourt.gov or visit the CPC website here.

JUVENILE COURT STAFF

Jessica K. Sanders
Juvenile Court Judge

Brittney Petty
Juvenile Clerk
brittney.petty@alacourt.gov
(334) 358-6803 

Tammy Jones
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
tammy.jones@alacourt.gov
(334) 358-6862

Eric Morris
Juvenile Probation Officer
eric.morris@alacourt.gov
(334) 358-6861 

Stephen Leveque
Juvenile Probation Officer
stephen.leveque@alacourt.gov
(334) 358-6863 

Amanda Kinney
Judicial Assistant
amanda.kinney@alacourt.gov
(334) 358-6820