The Juvenile Justice System in Georgia SS8CG5 Explain how the Georgia court system treats juvenile offenders.

Activator – What’s the Crime Determine which of the following acts are delinquent acts and which are acts characteristic of an unruly child. Shoplifting Running away from a parent or guardian Meeting friends at the local bar to drink and shoot pool Refusing to come home at the appointed curfew time Truancy (skipping school) Burglary Car theft

Important Terms A juvenile is a child under 17 years of age. Delinquent Act - An act committed by a juvenile that would be considered a criminal offense according to adult law (i.e. assault, theft, possession of drugs) Unruly Act - An act committed by a juvenile that would not be a criminal offense according to adult law.

Delinquent Juvenile A juvenile who commits serious acts that would be considered criminal if an adult had committed them Consequences: Juvenile probation, Incarceration for up to 60 days Committing the child to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Unruly Juvenile These actions could include: the possession of alcohol or cigarettes leaving home without permission of their parents or guardians breaking curfew skipping or not attending school (truancy) driving without a license not abiding by the reasonable commands of parents or other adults. If a child commits these acts, they may be placed in a juvenile detention center.

Unruly Juvenile The consequences of being guilty of an unruly act include: Releasing the child to the custody of the parent or legal guardian with no court supervision. Placing the child on probation with certain restrictions. Committing the child to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Detaining the juvenile at a Youth Detention Center (YDC) for up to 90 days. Sending the juvenile to an outdoor program or boot camp.

Juveniles’ Rights Right to parent/guardian before being questioned by authorities Names/photographs are not to be made public Two phone calls: parents and attorney Right to not self-incriminate Right not to be placed with adult offenders Right for parents to be contacted immediately

Steps in the Juvenile Justice System Intake Officer Brought into custody and evidence is determined Released or Detained Not enough evidence—the juvenile is released to his/her parents or guardians Enough evidence—Held in a youth detention center or adult prison depending on the crime Must be a hearing within 72 hours to determine if proceedings should continue

Steps in the Juvenile Justice System 3. Informal Adjustment First-time offenders only Must admit guilt and then placed under supervision of the court for 90 days 4. Adjudicatory Hearing Judge determines juvenile’s guilt or innocence (there is NO jury for juvenile cases) 5. Disposition Hearing Judge hears witnesses to determine sentencing

Steps in the Juvenile Justice System 6. Sentencing Judge rules on the juvenile’s punishment Boot camp, probation, youth detention center, fines, and/or mandatory counseling and school attendance 7. Appeal Juvenile can appeal the ruling if there is enough evidence to prove that he/she is innocent