Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice THE JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCESS Avery D. Niles Commissioner Elaine P. Snow, Chairman Board of Juvenile Justice DJJ Mission To protect and serve the citizens of Georgia by holding youthful offenders accountable for their actions through the delivery of treatment services and sanctions in appropriate settings and by establishing youth in their communities as productive and law abiding citizens. DJJ Customer Service DJJ is committed to providing the highest quality customer service by well-trained professional staff, which promotes efficient and effective relationships with our customers INTAKE In the state of Georgia, the intake process involves the juvenile court system and the court service system of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). In the course of the intake process, a JPPS may: informally adjust the case, file a petition with juvenile court for adjudicatory proceedings, divert the case to services outside the court or; recommend that the case be dismissed. The Georgia intake process operates on a 24hour basis, uninterrupted by weekends or holidays. Note: DJJ provides intake services for most of the state. However, certain counties operate independent courts which provide their own intake staff and services. CUSTODY When a youth is taken into custody by law enforcement officials, the parents and/or legal guardians are notified of the detainment. In areas where DJJ performs the intake function, the intake officer utilizes a detention assessment instrument that is used as a guide to determine the intake decision to detain, release the youth with conditions or a unconditional release . This assessment helps to determine the potential risk to re offend and the likelihood the youth will appear for their scheduled court hearing. Finally, arrangements are made to release the youth or transport the youth to a Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) if the youth is being securely detained or an alternative placement such as a shelter. PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING Within 48 hours of a youth's detention at a RYDC, a probable cause hearing is held. At the hearing, a juvenile court judge reviews the findings from the Intake Officer's Investigation considers bail as an option and determines whether further detention is required. Following the probable cause hearing, if it is determined that there is cause to petition the juvenile court, filing of the petition must be completed within 72 hours. A court date for a formal adjudicatory hearing is set and generally happens within 10 days of the petition. If it appears, prior to the filing of a petition or after withdrawal of a petition prior to adjudication, that advice and counsel without an adjudication would be in the best interest of the public and the child, the court may move to informally adjust or divert the case. ADJUDICATORY HEARING At the adjudicatory hearing, the court determines whether the allegations outlined in the petition are true. At this point, the court may decide to dismiss the case. DISPOSITIONAL HEARING Following the adjudicatory hearing, a dispositional hearing is held. The purpose of the dispositional hearing is to establish the need for treatment, rehabilitation, or supervision. During this process the court may: place the youth on probation, commit the youth to the custody of the DJJ, declare the youth a designated felon under the designated felon statute, sentence the child to serve up to a maximum of 30 days in a youth development campus or, after assessment and with the court's approval, in a treatment program provided by the Department of Juvenile Justice o or the juvenile court, turn the y youth's case over to the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) or d declare the youth mentally For more information contact: Office of Communications 3408 Covington Highway Decatur, Georgia 30032 Phone: 404-508-7147 Fax: 404-508-7341 Website: www.djjnewsandviews.org incompetent to stand trial or; transfer the case to the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. The dispositional hearing may immediately follow the adjudicatory hearing or be set for a later date. COMMITMENT If a youth is committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice, within ten working days of the date of commitment to department or agency, the youth's case will undergo a screening process by a committee of juvenile justice professionals and representatives of other child serving agencies involved with the youth. The purpose of the screening process is to assess the youth's risk to the public and treatment needs and to recommend the best placement. The screening committee will either seek an alternate placement (e.g., group home or wilderness program) or placement at a state youth development campus. The screening committee consists of at least four DJJ staff and representatives of other child serving agencies involved with the youth. This usually includes a RYDC Counselor, an Assessment Classification Specialist, and representatives from the Division of Corrections. In addition, and when appropriate, other persons who may be involved with the case such as mental health and DFCS staff. If the screening committee determines that an alternate placement is in the best interest of the youth, placement efforts begin immediately. Time frames are in place which govern the length of time a youth can remain in detention awaiting alternative placement. Any exception to the established time frames must have the written approval of the Deputy Commissioner of Community Services. If the screening committee determines that placement at a youth development campus (YDC) is in the best interest of the youth, placement will occur as soon as a YDC bed becomes available. Department of Juvenile Justice Nathan Deal Governor Board Elaine P. Snow Chair Sandra Heath Taylor Vice Chair Richard S. Ambrose Willie C. Bolton Thomas L. Coleman Angie M. Holt John B. Edwards Danny Porter Franklin D. Rozier, Jr. Judicial Advisory Committee The Honorable Quintress J. Gilbert The Honorable Steven C. Teske Avery D. Niles Commissioner Carl Brown Deputy Commissioner, Community Services Sarah Draper Deputy Commissioner, Secure Facilities Miguel Fernandez Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Services Michael McNeely, Deputy Commissioner, Support Services Audrey Armistead Associate Superintendent Office of Education Sam Clonts Director, Office of Human Resources Willie Gilmore Director, Office of Investigations Carol Jackson Director, Office of Legislative Liaison Kendra Mitchell Director, Office of Budget Services Shawanda Reynolds-Cobb Deputy Commissioner, Administrative Services Jim Shuler Director, Office of Communications Revised 03/11/13