FAQ

Yes, every juvenile charged with an offense has a right to have a lawyer represent him/her in juvenile court. Parents often hire an attorney to represent their child. But even if the lawyer is hired by the parent, the lawyer’s ethical obligation is to represent the child. If the parents’ desires conflict with the desires of the child, the attorney has the duty to represent the child.

In certain cases, a juvenile may make a voluntary and knowing waiver of the right to counsel. This depends upon the age of the juvenile, the child’s education, the child’s knowledge of the nature of the charge and right to remain silent, methods used in questioning the juvenile while the case was being investigated, and whether the case presents complex legal questions. If a juvenile does not want an attorney, this should be brought up to the court at arraignment. However, a parent does not have an absolute right to waive an attorney for their child:

WHERE THE JUVENILE IS LIKELY TO BE FACING A LENGTHY TERM OF COMMITMENT OR BOOT CAMP, THE JUDGE ALWAYS REQUIRES THE JUVENILE TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY EVEN WHERE THE CHARGE MAY BE ADMITTED.

The Clerk of the Juvenile Court has application forms. You will need to provide information about income, number of dependents, and special needs.

In cases where a juvenile and his/her family cannot afford to hire a lawyer, a representative of the court will confidentially determine whether the child qualifies as an “indigent person.” OCGA § 15-11-6(a) defines an indigent as one who at the time of requesting counsel is unable without undue financial hardship to provide for full payment of legal counsel and all other necessary expenses for representation. The Court follows the Federal Health & Human Services Poverty Guidelines. Even if the family is not below the income guidelines, an attorney may be appointed in appropriate cases.

No, the Court assigns the lawyers. Every lawyer on the appointed list is experienced in juvenile court matters and highly qualified to represent juveniles.

In cases where the parent is the complainant, or where the parent is a witness against the child, the court is required to provide counsel and a person to represent the best interests of the child in court. Sometimes the child’s attorney can zealously represent the child and represent the child’s best interest, but sometimes there is a legal conflict between these two positions. If the child’s attorney notifies the court of a conflict, the judge will appoint another trained individual, either an attorney or a qualified non-attorney Guardian Ad Litem (some of these are citizens called CASA.s “court appointed special advocates”) to represent the child’s best interest.

Attorneys agreeing to serve as appointed counsel are doing “pro bono” [public good], but they are reimbursed by the county for a fee of about one-third of their normal hourly fee. OCGA § 15-11-8 provides that after notice to the parents or custodian, and affording then an opportunity to be heard, the Court may order the reimbursement of reasonable expenses of appointed counsel.

If a child is delinquent, the maximum age will be 17 years of age. If a child is deprived, the maximum age will be 18 years of age.

All fees and fines can be paid to the Clerk of Court by cash, money order or certified check. A receipt will be issued for all payments.

Payments are made at the Cashier’s window on the first floor of the Juvenile Court building. The window is staffed from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm.

No. Acceptable payments can be made in the form of cash, cashier’s check or money order. For further information on acceptable payment methods, contact the Juvenile Court, Clerk of Court’s office at 404.294.2749.

Contact the Juvenile Court Accounting Division at 404.294.2778 or via email at amthomps@co.dekalb.ga.us In order to expedite the process, please have the name of the Juvenile and/or a case number.

If your child is under 18 years of age, contact your local police department and file a missing persons report, and receive a report number. You can file a runaway complaint by coming to the Court’s Intake Department and providing us with the missing person report number or calling us at 404.294.2769 for additional information.

You can come by the Court and sign up for the Status Orientation program. The Status Orientation program is designed to provide a unified effort in informing & providing resources for parents with youth displaying ungovernable/unruly, domestic delinquent and/ or runaway behaviors. At completion of the orientation the parent will have the opportunity to request further services from the Probation Department.

If the offense occurred in DeKalb County, our Intake Department will assist you in filing a complaint –you must know the child’s complete name and address.

Children under the age of 16 MUST attend school, and parents are responsible for making sure they go—if your child misses 10 or more days of school without a legal excuse, he/she is considered truant. The Juvenile Court has a Truancy Intervention Program and Youth Achievement Program to help children get back into or remain in school so they can get their diplomas. In addition, the DeKalb County school system offers alternatives to traditional schools such as open campus, night school, GED programs. Call 678.676.1200 for further information.

You can contact the District Attorney’s office at 404.294.2720 for an update.

You can contact the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) at 404.370.5251; they can provide you with services and assistance.