{"id":372761,"date":"2016-10-04T11:51:29","date_gmt":"2016-10-04T16:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-juvenile-crime-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-11T09:15:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T14:15:50","slug":"georgia-juvenile-crime-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-juvenile-crime-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Juvenile Crime Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Georgia Juvenile Crime Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Every state treats juveniles differently than adults when it comes to crime. While there are some situations in which the courts treat a minor as an adult, for the most part, the law treats people under 18 less severely.<\/p>\r\n

If you or your child is facing criminal charges in the state of Georgia, you should know what to expect. Even though most criminal laws are more lenient regarding juvenile offenders, that doesn\u2019t mean your child will avoid punishment.<\/p>\r\n

This article examines Georgia\u2019s criminal laws and how they apply to juvenile cases. It explains how juvenile courts are different from adult courts before describing the penalties juveniles face if they commit a serious crime in Georgia. Getting legal assistance from a Georgia criminal defense attorney<\/a> is a good idea if facing criminal charges.<\/p>\r\n

Juvenile Crimes in Georgia at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The state cannot file criminal charges against a child under 13<\/a>. Juvenile criminal courts handle cases involving young people under 18.<\/p>\r\n

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice<\/a> oversees juvenile crime and offers programs to help young people avoid jails, prisons, and other institutions. Juvenile justice system officials work closely with juvenile court judges in adjudicating criminal cases involving people under 21 years of age.<\/p>\r\n

The following chart provides an overview of Georgia\u2019s juvenile laws and how the Georgia juvenile courts apply the Juvenile Code to delinquent children and other offenders.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Georgia Juvenile Crimes Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Georgia Code O.C.G.A.<\/p>\r\n

Children in Need of Services Under Georgia Juvenile Crimes Law <\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Georgia’s juvenile criminal justice system designates a child as a "child in need of services" when the child:<\/p>\r\n

Designated Felony Acts Under Georgia Juvenile Crimes Laws<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Georgia\u2019s juvenile code includes more serious delinquent acts (designated felonies<\/a>) such as:<\/p>\r\n

Class A Designated Felonies<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Imprisonment Under Georgia Juvenile Crimes Laws<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Georgia\u2019s juvenile code specifies the penalties for juvenile crimes:<\/p>\r\n