Juvenile Cases

An Ally In Your Family’s Time of Need

Juvenile law applies to individuals under the age of 17 but older than 13. In some cases, however, an individual who falls within that age range can be charged as an adult. If a juvenile member of your family has been charged with murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery or armed robbery, they will be tried in Superior Court. Juvenile charges are serious in Georgia, and you will need a proven Atlanta juvenile criminal defense attorney fighting for your future.

Call Sarah Flack Law LLC today for legal representation that stands out amongst the rest!

What Penalties Can I Expect to Face?
If you are adjudicated as a delinquent, you could be facing the following penalties:

Probation
Incarceration for up to 90 days
Being Committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice for two years
Suspension of driving privileges

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, the court may pursue diversion, informal adjustment, or mediation. If you are deemed a “repeat offender,” however, you may be committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice for up to five years. This could result in you being imprisoned for that entire length of time.

Retain Legal Defense Immediately!

A juvenile case moves swiftly, so it is imperative that you not delay in obtaining aggressive legal defense services. You can be tried within 10 days of the state filing its petition. A juvenile record can result in lasting repercussions including limited schooling and employment opportunities.

I provide all of my clients with dedicated defense counsel. The consequences you are facing matter to me, and as a former prosecutor, I know which charges you will have the best chances of getting dismissed before the trial even begins.

Definition

A delinquent act is a violation of a law that would be a crime if committed by an adult. A delinquent child is one who has committed a delinquent act and is in need of treatment and rehabilitation or supervision by the court.

Consequences

The consequences of adjudication for a delinquent act vary according to the act, the needs of the child, and the needs of the community. If the child is acquitted or found not to be in need of treatment, rehabilitation, or supervision, the case will be dismissed.

Some delinquent acts are disposed of through diversion, informal adjustment, or mediation. If the child is adjudicated delinquent, the court may dispose of the case in any way authorized by law, including placing the child on probation, incarcerating the child for up to 90 days, or committing the child to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice for a period of two years. Any delinquent act that includes possession of drugs, including marijuana, will result in the mandatory suspension of the child’s driving privileges.

Designated Felons

There is a category of serious offenders called designated felons. These offenders are described in Georgia Code Section 15-11-37. They are generally persons who are repeat offenders or have committed offenses that are particularly dangerous to the community. After adjudication, the court may require that these offenders be committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice for up to five years and may order that they be incarcerated for the entire time.

Court Jurisdiction

If a child is at least 15 years old and is charged with any delinquent act, or is 13 or 14 years old and is charged with committing an act for which the punishment is loss of life or confinement for life in a penal institution, the child may be subject to a Juvenile Court hearing to determine whether to transfer the child to Superior Court for trial as an adult. If transferred and convicted in Superior Court, the child will be punished as an adult.

The Juvenile Court does not have jurisdiction of seven specific offenses if the child accused of any of them is 13 to 17 years old at the time of the offense. Those offenses include: murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, or armed robbery if committed with a firearm. Each of the above offenses are within the original jurisdiction of the Superior Court.