Randee J. Waldman presents the revisions to Article 6 and 7 of the revised Juvenile Code of Georgia. These revisions address youth intake, detention, adjudication, and disposition. It also addresses determining competency of youth to be adjudicated.
3. Article 6 – Purpose
The purpose of this article is:
15-11-470
Consistent with the protection of the public interest, to hold a child committing
delinquent acts accountable for his or her actions, taking into account such child’s age,
education, mental and physical condition, background, and all other relevant factors,
but to mitigate the adult consequences of criminal behavior;
To accord due process of law to each child who is accused of having committed a
delinquent act;
To provide for a child committing delinquent acts with supervision, care, and
rehabilitation which ensure balanced attention to the protection of the community, the
imposition of accountability, and the development of competencies to enable such child
to become a reasonable and productive member of the community;
To promote a continuum of services for a child and his or her family from prevention of
delinquent acts aftercare, considering, whenever possible, prevention, diversion, and
early intervention, including an emphasis on community based alternatives;
To provide effective sanctions to acts of juvenile delinquency; and
To strengthen families and to successfully reintegrate delinquent children into homes
and communities.
4. Article 6 – The Parties
Parties are:
Alleged delinquent child
The State
Parent, guardian, or legal custodian:
Right to notice
Right to be present in the courtroom
Opportunity to be heard at all stages
DJJ:
Notice of the disposition hearing
15-11-474
5. Article 6 – Role of Prosecutor
Prosecuting attorney shall conduct
delinquency proceedings on behalf of the
State.
Entitled to complete access to all court files,
probation files, hearing transcripts, delinquency
reports, and any other juvenile court records.
Filing of petition (“attorney”)
15-11-473
6. Article 6 – Defense Attorney
Right to counsel
Right to represented by an attorney at all
proceedings
Parent may not waive right to be represented
Child may not waive if liberty is in jeopardy
Access to records
Judge shall issue an order for dependency, school
and health or mental healthcare records
Upon motion
Written consent of child
15-11-475
7. Chapter 6 – Delinquency Case Timelines
15-11-472
Complaint/Intake
If Child Is Not In Custody: If Child Is In Custody:
Petition Alleging Delinquency
Within 30 days of complaint or 30 days after release
Arraignment Hearing
Within 30 days of filing the petition
Adjudication Hearing
Within 60 days of filing the petition
Disposition Hearing
Within 30 days of adjudication hearing
Detention Hearing
(arrest warrant = 5 business days)
(no arrest warrant = 2 business days)
Petition Alleging Delinquency
Within 72 hours of detention hearing
Adjudication Hearing
Within 10 days of filing the petition
Disposition Hearing
Within 30 days of adjudication hearing
8. Article 6 - Intake
15-11-510
At intake, child shall be informed of:
Contents of complaint
Nature of the proceedings
Possible consequences or dispositions
Due process rights
Right to an attorney
Privilege against self-incrimination
Right to remain silent
Right to confront and cross-examine witnesses
Right to testify
Right to compel other witnesses to attend and testify
Right to speedy adjudication hearing
Right to appeal and be provided with transcripts
9. Article 6 – Detention Assessment
15-11-505
Detention assessment must be administered
by intake officer
'Detention assessment' means an actuarial tool,
approved by the board and validated on a
targeted population, used to make detention
decisions and that identifies and calculates
specific factors that are likely to indicate a child's
risk to public safety pending adjudication and the
likelihood that such child will appear for juvenile
proceedings for the act causing the detention
decision to be made. (49-4A-1)
10. Article 6 – Place of Detention
15-11-504
May be detained in:
Licensed foster home
Home approved by the court
Home of non-custodial parent or relative
Facility operated by licensed child welfare agency
Secure or non-secure residential facility
If 15 or older, may be held in jail for up to 24
hours if certain conditions are met
Placement shall be in the least restrictive
facility
11. Article 6 – Detention Hearing
15-11-506
Shall be held no later than:
2 business days if custody without arrest warrant
5 business days if custody with arrest warrant
Probable cause “review” within 48 hours
At detention hearing, court shall inform child of:
Contents of complaint or petition
Nature of the proceedings
Right to make an application for bail
Possible consequences or dispositions
Due process rights
12. Article 6 – Detention Decision
15-11-503
Probable cause
Clear and convincing evidence that freedom
should be restrained, that no less restrictive
alternatives will suffice, and that:
May inflict serious bodily harm
Demonstrated pattern of theft or destruction of
property such that detention is required to protect
the property of others
Secure his or her presence in court
13. Article 6 - Bail
15-11-507
Same right to bail as adults
Only at intake or detention hearing
May release on bail if the court finds:
Poses no significant risk of fleeing jurisdiction or
failing to appear in court
Poses no significant threat or danger to any person, to
the community or to any property in the community.
Poses no significant risk of committing any felony
pending trial
Poses no significant risk of intimidating witnesses or
otherwise obstructing administration of justice
14. Article 6 - Petition
15-11-520-523
Shall be filed by an attorney (prosecuting attorney or
designee)
Timing:
No later than 72 hours after detention hearing
Within 30 days of filing of complaint
Contents (new requirements):
Place of detention at time taken into custody
If child is charged with Class A or Class B designated
felony act
Amendments:
Prior to hearing
After jeopardy, shall not be amended to include new
charges
15. Article 6 - Arraignment
15-11-511
Shall be scheduled within 30 days of the filing
of the petition (non-detained)
Court shall inform child of:
Contents of petition
Nature of the proceedings
Possible consequences or dispositions
Due process rights
Represented child may enter an admission
Child whose liberty is not in jeopardy may
waive right to counsel
16. Article 6 – Failure to Appear
15-11-532
Parent fails to appear or bring child
Court may issue a rule nisi ordering person to
show cause
Failure to appear in response to order to show
cause results in bench warrant
Child 16 or older
Bench warrant
Child 14 or 15 who willfully refuses to appear
Bench warrant
17. Article 6 – SB440
15-11-560
No change to exclusive jurisdiction offenses
Voluntary manslaughter, aggravated sodomy,
aggravated child molestation or aggravated
sexual battery may be transferred to juvenile
court by Superior Court judge.
Treated as Class A designated felony act
Appealable by the State
18. Article 6 – Transfer to Superior Court
15-11-562
Factors for the Court to consider in making transfer decision:
Age
Seriousness
Protection of community
Violence or aggressive or premeditated manner
Culpability of child (level of planning and participation)
Repetitive pattern of offenses indicating beyond rehabilitation in
JJ
Record and history
Sophistication and maturity
Program and facilities available
Whether child can benefit from treatment or rehabilitative
programs available to juvenile court
19. Article 6 – Transfer to Superior Court
15-11-562-564
Reports/Evaluations
Probation report developing available information
relevant to transfer criteria
Court may order transfer evaluation of clinical
status
Admissibility
Statements made during evaluation or at hearing
only used as impeachment or rebuttal evidence
Appeals
Decision to transfer is an interlocutory judgment
and may be appealed by either party
20. Article 6 - Adjudication
15-11-580 & 582
Timing
If detained, within 10 days after the filing of
petition
If not detained, within 60 days after the filing of
petition
Understandable Language
Court shall address the child in language
understandable to the child in order to determine
whether the child is capable of understanding
such statements about his or her rights
If capable, denial or admission
21. Chapter 6 – Disposition Options
Everyone
Order for dependent child - not temp DFCS custody
Counseling for child and parent/guardian
Supervised probation including probation
management
Unsupervised probation
Studies High School diploma or equivalent
Community service
Restitution
Fines (traffic offenses)
Suspension of driver’s license
15-11-601
22. Article 6 – Disposition Options
15-11-601
Felony/Misdemeanor(+)
“Everyone” options
Facility/institution/camp for delinquent children
Commitment to DJJ
Up to 30 days in secure residential facility or
treatment program provided by DJJ or juvenile
court
**Applicable for felonies and misdemeanors if child has at least one prior felony
adjudication and at least three other prior adjudications for a delinquent act.
23. Article 6 – Designated Felonies
15-11-602
Order made within 20 days of disposition hearing
Risk assessment to be completed
Order to include:
Finding, based on preponderance of evidence, whether
restrictive custody required
If low risk, written findings as to why placement in
restrictive custody is necessary
Written findings as to each of the following factors:
Age and maturity
Needs and best interest of child
Record, background and risk level of child
Nature and circumstances of offense
Need for protection of community
Age and physical condition of the victim
24. Article 6 – Designated Felonies
Behavioral Health Evaluations:
The Court SHALL order and give consideration to
the results before ordering a DF child to restrictive
custody
15-11-475
15-11-477
25. Article 6 – DF Disposition Options
15-11-602
Class B Designated Felony
If restrictive
custody not
required
felony/misd.(+)
options
Initial DJJ custody up to 36 months,
no more than 18 months in restrictive
custody
Moderate/High Risk Child at least half
of period in secure residential facility,
remainder at DJJ discretion
Low Risk Child non-secure residential
facility (“shall” or “may”?)
Intensive supervision after confinement
(not to exceed 6 months)
26. Article 6 – DF Disposition Options
15-11-602
Class A Designated Felony
If restrictive
custody not
required
felony/misd.(+)
options
Initial DJJ custody up to 60 months
Confined in secure residential
facility for period set by order
Intensive supervision after
confinement
(not to exceed 12 months)
27. Article 6 – DF Disposition Options
15-11-602
Developmental disability
If ordered confined to restrictive custody, but diagnosed with
DD and not amendable to treatment in a secure residential
facility, DJJ may transfer to non-secure residential facility
Must notify prosecuting attorney and judge
Mandatory secure confinement
Serious physical injury upon person 72 or older
Credit for time served
All time spent in secure or non-secure residential facility shall
be counted toward confinement period
Early release
May be filed every 6 months
28. Article 6 – Designated Felony Classes
Class A Designated Felony Acts
Aggravated assault or assault with a
deadly weapon that resulted in
serious injury
Aggravated battery
Armed robbery (no firearm)
Arson (first degree)
Attempted murder
Escape if previously Class A or B
Hijacking a motor vehicle
Kidnapping
Criminal gang activity (most types)
Trafficking of substances
Fourth felony adjudication if one was
a felony crime against a person or a
sexual offense
Class B Designated Felony Acts
Aggravated assault or assault with a
deadly weapon that did not result in
serious injury
Arson (second degree)
Attempted kidnapping
Battery against school personnel
Racketeering
Robbery
Gang related graffiti
Smash and grab burglary
Destructive device and hoax device
crimes
Second car theft
Second possession of a handgun
School weapons violations
Fourth felony adjudication
15-11-2(12&13)
29. Additional Noteworthy Changes
Law enforcement officer may detain child for reasonable period of
time sufficient to conduct interrogations or perform routine law
enforcement procedures (i.e. fingerprinting and photographing)
15-11-502(b)
Victims’ rights
Entitled to same rights, notices and benefits as the victim of crime
committed by adult (victim impact)
15-11-481
Notice regarding release from detention for DF acts.
15-11-508
Jeopardy attaches:
Denial first witness sworn
Admission Court accepts admission
11-15-480
31. Article 7 – Definitions
15-11-651
Incompetent to proceed:
Lacking sufficient present ability to understand the
nature and object of the proceedings, to comprehend
his or her own situation in relation to the proceedings,
and to assist his or her attorney in the preparation and
presentation of his or her case in all adjudication,
disposition, or transfer hearings. Such terms shall
include consideration of a child’s age or immaturity.
Competency remediation services
Outpatient interventions directed only at facilitating the
attainment of the competence to proceed
May include: mental health treatment to reduce symptoms
or specialized psychoeducational programming.
32. Article 7 – General Provisions
15-11-652
Applicable in CHINS and delinquency
proceedings
Competency evaluation may be ordered on
court’s own motion or on motion of any party,
GAL, parent/guardian
If child under 13 is alleged to have committed
a serious violent felony, competency
evaluation must be ordered
Court must appoint attorney prior to evaluation
Competency evaluation stays all proceedings
33. Article 7 – Competency
Evaluation 15-11-653
Written report shall be submitted within 30
days of court’s order (extension may be
granted)
If not competent, report should include:
Opinion as to primary cause of incompetency
(immaturity, mental illness, developmental
disability or a combination)
Opinion as to whether substantial probability will
attain competency in foreseeable future
34. Article 7 – Competency Hearing
15-11-655
Within 60 days after court order for evaluation
Burden on child
Standard of proof preponderance of
evidence
Examiner considered the court’s witness and
subject to cross-examination by child’s
attorney and prosecuting attorney
35. Article 7 – Competence May Be
Remediated 15-11-656
Court may dismiss without prejudice or order
competency remediation services. Court shall
consider:
Probable cause
Nature of incompetency
Age
Nature of alleged act
If competency remediation services ordered, court
retains jurisdiction:
Felony up to 2 years with review hearings at least every
6 months
Misdemeanor up to 120 days
If detained in secure or non-secure residential facility:
Order releasing within 5 days
36. Article 7 – Unrestorably
Incompetent 15-11-658
Court shall:
Dismiss the petition
Appoint a plan manager
Order that procedures that a comprehensive
services plan be initiated under Article 5 (CHINS)