Title 15 — Courts

(a) The court shall hold a hearing to review a child’s progress toward competency: (1) At least every six months; (2) At any time, on its own motion or on the motion of the prosecuting attorney, a child’s attorney, or a child’s guardian ad litem, if any; (3) On receipt of a repor…

(a) A county juvenile probation officer or DJJ staff member serving as a juvenile probation officer or community supervision officer, as appropriate: (1) Shall make investigations, reports, and recommendations to the court as directed by this chapter; (2) Shall supervise and assi…

(a) A juvenile court intake officer: (1) Shall receive and examine complaints and charges of delinquency, of dependency, or that a child is a child in need of services for the purpose of considering the commencement of proceedings under this chapter; (2) Shall make appropriate re…

This article shall be known and may be cited as the ‘‘Parental Notification Act.’’ History. — Code 1981, § 15-11-680, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.

As used in this article, the term: (1) ‘‘Abortion’’ means the use or prescription of any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance or device with the intent to terminate the pregnancy of a female known to be pregnant. The term ‘‘abortion’’ shall not include the use or pr…

(a) No physician or other person shall perform an abortion upon an unemancipated minor unless: (1)(A) The unemancipated minor seeking an abortion is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian who shall show proper identification and state that he or she is the lawful parent or g…

Notwithstanding Code Sections 15-11-40, 15-11-150, 15-11-152, 15-11-160, 15-11-281, 15-11-424, and 15-11-531, the unemancipated 1324 15-11-684 minor or next friend shall be notified of the date, time, and place of the hearing in such proceedings at the time of filing the petition. …

(a) An unemancipated minor may participate in proceedings in the court on such minor’s own behalf and the court shall advise such minor of the right to court appointed counsel and shall provide such minor with such counsel upon request or if such minor is not already adequately r…

The requirements and procedures of this article shall apply to all unemancipated minors within this state whether or not such persons are residents of this state. History. — Code 1981, § 15-11-685, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242. 15-11-686. Medical emergency.

This article shall not apply when, in the best clinical judgment of the attending physician on the facts of the case before him or her, a medical emergency exists that so complicates the condition of the unemancipated minor as to require an immediate abortion. A person who perfor…

Any person who violates the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and any person who intentionally encourages another to provide false information pursuant to this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. History. — Code 1981, § 15-11-688, enacted by Ga. L.…

(a) The juvenile court shall have jurisdiction to act as a court of inquiry with all the powers and rights allowed courts of inquiry in this state and to examine or investigate into the circumstances or causes of any conduct or acts of any person 17 or more years of age that may …

(a) As used in this Code section, the term ‘‘dependency proceeding’’ means a court proceeding stemming from a petition alleging that a child is a dependent child. (b) The general public shall be admitted to: (1) An adjudicatory hearing involving an allegation of a class A designa…

(a)(1) Every child charged with an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult shall be fingerprinted and photographed upon being taken into custody. (2) Fingerprints and photographs of children to be used in investigating the commission of crimes shall be taken and fil…

Except as provided in subsection (d) of Code Section 24-6-609, the disposition of a child and evidence adduced in a hearing in the juvenile court shall not be used against such child in any proceeding in any court other than as provided in Code Section 16-15-9 or 24-4-418 or for …

(a) Notwithstanding other provisions of this article, the court records of proceedings under Article 5 of this chapter shall be withheld from 1340 15-11-706 public inspection but shall be open to inspection by juvenile probation officers, community supervision officers, a child w…

Within 30 days of any proceeding in which a child is adjudicated for committing a delinquent act for a second or subsequent time or is adjudicated for committing a class A designated felony act or class B designated felony act, the court shall provide written notice to the school…

(a) As used in this Code section, the term ‘‘governmental entity’’ shall mean the court, superior court, DJJ, DBHDD, DFACS, county departments of family and children services, or public schools, as such term is defined in Code Section 16-11-35. (b) Governmental entities and state,…

Eligibility of subversive persons to hold office or position in government, § 16-11-12. Eligibility and qualifications of candidates for public office, §§ 21-2-5 through 21-2-8. Editor’s notes. — Ga. L. 1972, p. 193, § 10, not codified by the General Assem- bly, provided that it …

(a) Emancipation may occur by operation of law or pursuant to a petition filed with the court as provided in this article by a child who is at least 16 years of age. (b) An emancipation occurs by operation of law: (1) When a child is validly married; (2) When a child reaches the a…

(a) A child seeking emancipation shall file a petition for emancipation in the juvenile court in the county where such child resides. The petition shall be signed and verified by the petitioner and shall include: (1) The petitioner’s full name and birth date and the county and stat…

(a) Upon filing the petition, a copy of the petition for emancipation and a summons to appear at the hearing shall be served on all persons named in the petition and upon any individual who provided an affidavit for the emancipation. (b) A person served with a petition may file an …

A child who petitions the court for emancipation shall have the burden of showing that emancipation should be ordered by a preponderance of evidence. History. — Code 1981, § 15-11-724, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242. 15-11-725. Emancipation hearing; findings.

(a)(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court shall issue an emancipation order if, after a hearing, it determines that emancipation is in the best interests of the child and such child has established: (A) That his or her parent, guardian, or legal…

(a) A child emancipated by court order may petition the juvenile court that issued the emancipation order to rescind such order. (b) A copy of the petition for rescission and a summons shall be served on the petitioner’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian. (c) The court shall g…

Summons, answer, and time limitations. Appointment of attorney and guardian ad litem; affidavits of adults supporting emancipation. Standard of proof. Emancipation hearing; findings. Rescission of emancipation order. Rights of emancipated child; limitations of parental obligations…

(a) This article shall be known and may be cited as the ‘‘Georgia Child Advocate for the Protection of Children Act.’’ (b) In keeping with this article’s purpose of assisting, protecting, and restoring the security of children whose well-being is threatened, it is the intent of t…

As used in this article, the term: (1) ‘‘Advocate’’ or ‘‘child advocate’’ means the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children established under Code Section 15-11-742. (2) ‘‘Agency’’ shall have the same meaning and application as provided for in paragraph (1) of subsection (a…

The advocate shall perform the following duties: (1) Identify, receive, investigate, and seek the resolution or referral of complaints made by or on behalf of children concerning any act, omission to act, practice, policy, or procedure of an agency or any contractor or agent ther…

The advocate shall be authorized to request an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation of any complaint of criminal misconduct involving a child. History. — Code 1981, § 15-11-746, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242. 15-11-747. Child advocate advisory commi…

The juvenile court is a court of record having a seal. The judge and the judge’s duly appointed representatives shall each have power to administer oaths and affirmations. 651 History. — Code 1981, § 15-11-8, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.

The juvenile court judge, associate juvenile court judge, and judge pro tempore shall have authority to issue a warrant for the arrest of any child for an offense committed against the laws of this state, based either on personal knowledge or the information of others given under…