HB144 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Juvenile courts, jurisdiction over protection from abuse cases when defendant is a juvenile, Secs. 12-15-114, 30-5-2 am'd.

Summary

HB144 shifts protection from abuse cases involving juveniles to the juvenile court, making that court the exclusive venue for these cases.

What This Bill Does

The bill grants the juvenile court exclusive original jurisdiction over protection from abuse cases when the defendant is a juvenile. This means such cases would be handled by the juvenile court instead of circuit or district courts for juvenile defendants. The changes are made by amending sections 12-15-114 and 30-5-2 and updating related court definitions. The act becomes law immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Juvenile defendants in protection from abuse cases will be heard in juvenile court, not circuit or district court.
• The juvenile court system and its prosecutors, administrators, and intake processes gain new jurisdiction to handle these cases involving child defendants.

Key Provisions

• Section 12-15-114(a): Juvenile court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over protection from abuse cases where the defendant is a juvenile.
• Section 30-5-2: Defines the court as including a juvenile court for cases where the defendant is a child, specifically for protection from abuse.
• Section 12-15-114(b) and related text: Maintains existing age-related limits on other delinquent acts, but clarifies jurisdiction in PFA cases involving minors.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective immediately following passage and the governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Court, Juvenile