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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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