Understanding Alabama's Youthful Offender Law: The Life-Changing Benefits of Rehabilitation
Alabama’s Youthful Offender Act (“YOA”), found in Ala. Code § 15-19-1, is one of the legislature’s greatest achievements regarding young people in the criminal justice system. It provides certain protections and benefits for individuals under the age of 21 who have been charged with a criminal offense. This law aims to balance accountability for youthful indiscretions with the potential for rehabilitation, helping young offenders avoid the long-term consequences of a permanent criminal record. We will break down the YOA below.
What is the Youthful Offender Act?
The Alabama Youthful Offender Act, originally enacted in 1971, allows certain individuals under the age of 21 to be classified as "youthful offenders" in criminal proceedings. If granted this status, a young person may benefit from more lenient sentencing options and have their records sealed, meaning their conviction will not show up on most public record searches.
Ala. Code § 15-19-1 specifically states that the purpose of the act is to "provide an informal, protective procedure, through the discretionary power of trial judges, for the correction and rehabilitation of youthful offenders, which will avoid the stigma of a criminal record and a punishment not appropriate to their age."
Eligibility for Youthful Offender Status
According to Ala. Code § 15-19-1(a), any person under the age of 21 at the time of the alleged offense is eligible to apply for youthful offender status. However, this status is not automatically granted; it is up to the discretion of the court.
Non-violent offenders: Those charged with non-violent crimes such as drug possession, theft, or other property crimes are more likely to receive youthful offender status.
Violent offenders: Youths charged with violent crimes, especially those involving severe injury or death, may still apply for youthful offender status, but it is less likely to be granted.
The Youthful Offender Hearing
Once a youthful offender petition is filed, the court holds a hearing to determine whether to grant the status. This hearing is typically informal, with the judge examining various factors, such as:
The defendant’s age and maturity
Prior criminal history (if any)
The nature and severity of the alleged crime
Circumstances of the offense
Family/ Home life
Education and work history
During the hearing, the judge will clear the courtroom, only allowing interested parties and attorneys. This is also the time that we ask family members, friends, and employers to speak on a client’s behalf. We have heard so many times that family support can be an influencer when the Court is handing down rulings.
Sometimes, we can get the process sorted out before a hearing. Once a client is determined eligible to apply for YOA, Ty Taylor Law begins the advocacy to get you there. Largely, this includes making the Court, District Attorney, and Probation Officer informed of the facts and circumstance that qualifies our clients as someone who deserves to be granted YOA. In many cases, our pre-hearing advocacy will result in an agreement to YOA and all we have to do if show up for court so the judge can announce an order.
If the judge deems that the youthful offender status is appropriate, the individual will be adjudicated as a youthful offender rather than convicted as an adult. The Court then enters an Order, directing the Circuit Court Clerk to seal the case.
Benefits of Youthful Offender Status
Once a person is granted youthful offender status, several benefits apply:
1. Records Sealed: One of the most significant advantages of being granted youthful offender status is that the records of the case are sealed. The law mandates that the records of youthful offenders, except in limited circumstances, be kept confidential. This protects individuals from the lasting consequences of having a criminal record, such as difficulties in employment, education, or housing.
2. No Adult Conviction: If a youthful offender is adjudicated as such, they are not convicted of the crime in the traditional sense. Instead, the court will handle the case outside of the standard adult criminal justice system. Again, there will never be a conviction on a Defendant’s record and no outside parties can be made aware.
3. Sentencing Leniency: The court has broad discretion to impose a more lenient sentence, such as probation, counseling, or community service, in lieu of jail time. In some cases, youthful offenders can be sentenced to the Alabama Department of Corrections for youthful offender confinement, which typically lasts up to three years. This is in contrast to the harsher penalties an adult might face for the same crime.
CAVEAT
No Jury Trial: If an individual is granted youthful offender status, they waive their right to a jury trial. The case will be adjudicated solely by the judge. In this situation, the matter never comes before a jury of your peers. Although you lose the advantage of multiple finders of fact, the benefits far outweigh the potential of having an adult conviction on a criminal record.
Conclusion
The Alabama Youthful Offender Act provides young defendants with a valuable opportunity to correct their mistakes without the permanent burden of a criminal conviction. By focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the law recognizes that young people often have the potential to reform and move forward in life. However, receiving youthful offender status is a privilege, not a right, and it requires the court's approval based on the unique circumstances of each case.
Legal representation is crucial for ensuring that young defendants have the best chance of receiving this status and securing a second chance at life. As with any legal matter, consulting with an experienced attorney who understands Alabama's criminal justice system is essential.
For further information, give us a call or reach out via email. We are ready to fight alongside you to get your life on the best track!