Douglas County Juvenile Court 8700 Hospital Drive Douglasville, GA

Please remember! No gum, candy, food or drink allowed in courtroom or waiting room area. Please turn all cell phones OFF before entering courtroom.

Please speak out loud! When you are speaking in the courtroom, please answer OUT LOUD and speak into a microphone. The Court Reporter has to take down everything that is stated in Court. We often use digital recording in absence of our Court Reporter. That recording has to record all statements. Please remember to speak out loud into the microphone closest to you.

Attorney Information If you do not have an attorney, you may apply to the court for an attorney. Please ask the Bailiff for an application. You must complete the application in full and submit to the court. You may be required to pay a $50 application fee as required by the State. The application will be reviewed. If you qualify for court appointed attorney, one will be appointed to you and you will be given contact information. If you do not qualify for a court appointed Attorney but show hardship prevents you from hiring an Attorney, you may be appointed one with requirement that you pay the Court a determined amount of reimbursement. If you do not qualify for a court appointed attorney and do not qualify for reimbursement, you will need to hire an attorney or proceed without an attorney.

Delinquent Court Terms COMPLAINT: The initial Form 90 complaint completed on your child that indicates his/her charges and begins his/her court involvement. UNRULY: An offense that is a violation of the law due to the age of your child. Some examples are truancy, runaway, curfew violations, unruly child, disobedient, etc. DELINQUENT: An offense that is a Misdemeanor/Felony violation of the criminal laws or ordinances for adults. Some examples are thefts, damage to property, drug or alcohol charges, battery, etc. DETAINED: Your child is being taken into custody and placed in either a non-secure or secure placement until a detentional hearing is held. ARRAIGNMENT: A hearing where your child is explained his/her Juvenile Court rights, the charges are explained and an admission or denial is requested on the charges. ADJUDICATION: A hearing where the court finds that your child has committed an unruly or delinquent act based on an admission or denial or finds the evidence is insufficient to proceed. DISPOSITION: A decision made by the court regarding the consequences for the offense including length of supervision, treatment and rehabilitation your child will be required to follow, participate in and complete prior to termination of court involvement. Special conditions can be ordered. PETITION: The form that you receive explaining your child’s charges.

Your child has the following rights: *To have a trial *To be represented by an attorney *To confront the witnesses against him/her *To subpoena witnesses to appear in court *To testify and offer evidence in his/her own defense *Not to incriminate himself/herself or say anything If he/she does not say anything, this cannot be held against him/her.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS I understand I have been charged with certain Delinquent, Unruly and/or Traffic offenses as set forth in the Petition that was served upon me and that I am in court today to answer to these charges.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS I understand that I do not have to admit to these charges and that I do not have to say anything at all; that, if I choose to not say anything and to remain silent, I can do so and this will not be held against me.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS I have the right to have a trial before the Judge and that the State has the obligation to prove the charges against me beyond a reasonable doubt; I have the right to subpoena witnesses and have them testify on my behalf and I have the right to ask questions of those who testify against me.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS I have the right to be represented by an Attorney (Lawyer) of my own choice and, in the event I am indigent, the Court will appoint an Attorney to represent me at no cost to me. I may be appointed an Attorney with a determined amount of court ordered reimbursement.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS I understand that, among other things, an Attorney is educated and trained with regard to the Law and to the Court procedure; knows how to conduct trials and how to properly introduce evidence and exclude evidence that is improper; knows what my rights are and how best to assure and protect these rights in this case.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS I have had my right to an Attorney explained to me and I fully and completely understand this right. I understand the possible danger and consequences of proceeding without an Attorney.

Possible dispositions in a Juvenile Court Case: *Dismissal *Informal Adjustment—an informal period of supervision that lasts at least 90 days *Probation—a formal supervision by a court officer for up to 2 years *STP—short term placement in a YDC for up to 60 days *Commitment—custody is given to the Department of Juvenile Justice for a period of 2 years *Designated Felony charges could lead to confinement for a maximum of 60 months. Special conditions and court fees can be ordered.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS I have also been advised of the possible dispositions which the Court could enter in this proceeding which include Dismissal, Informal Adjustment, Probation, Intensive Probation, Commitment to Department of Juvenile Justice, Detention in a detention facility, Applicable fees, Restitution, Community Service and Loss of Driving privileges.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS When the Court enters an order of disposition, I have the right to appeal if the Court has failed to follow the Law or if the Court has abused its discretion.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS In the event your case is heard by an Associate Judge, you have the right to request in writing within 5 days a re-hearing before the Senior Judge. Exceptions are Detentional and/or emergency hearings.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of RIGHTS I have had ample opportunity to speak with my Parent(s), Guardian(s) and/or Attorney with regard to this case and these rights and to ask whatever questions I may have had about this case and my questions have been adequately answered.

Sealing Juvenile Court Records You may petition the Court to have your Juvenile Court record sealed after your case has been closed for 2 years and you meet specific Juvenile Court Code conditions. You must contact the Douglas County Juvenile Court at the appropriate time and you will be given further instructions.

Do not leave the waiting room area. Your case may be called at any time. You must be present in this waiting room when called, or your case will be held until last. Juvenile Court makes every effort to conduct hearings in a timely manner. Please be patient. Please be respectful to court staff. They are not in control of the court calendar and the order in which cases are called. The Judge determines the order of the cases on the calendar.