Gwinnett County Juvenile Court

What Does the Gwinnett Juvenile Court Do?

Gwinnett County Juvenile Court manages cases that involve delinquent, unruly, and runaway offenses. It also has jurisdiction to handle custody cases assigned by a Gwinnett Superior Court judge.

A minor accused of a delinquent act requires a criminal defense lawyer skilled in representing children and teenagers.

Understanding the Juvenile Process Gwinnett County Lawrenceville, GA

A Lawrenceville Gwinnett juvenile process begins when a district attorney or probation officer in Gwinnett County submits a civil petition that charges a minor with violating a criminal statute and asks the court to determine whether the individual is delinquent. Juveniles who are deemed to be delinquent are placed under the broad powers of the Gwinnett County court, which has the authority to decide what the next step should be.

Gwinnett County Juvenile Detention Center

Gwinnett Regional Juvenile Detention Center is located at 650 Hi Hope Lane, Lawrenceville, Georgia. The phone number is 770-995-6921. The Juvenile Justice Department runs this medium to low-security Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC). It holds youths in the following circumstances:

• Awaiting trial
• Awaiting the determination of penalty
• Waiting to enter a long-term facility or community program

The majority of the Gwinnett County, GA, teenagers have been in an RYDC for less than two years.

Gwinnett Juvenile Detention Center Residents

According to the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, approximately half of minor arrests are due to the following:

• Curfew violations
• Disorderly conduct
• Drug abuse
• Simple assault
• Theft

Only around 3-percent of Gwinnett Juvenile Court cases involve violent offenses like aggravated assault, murder, rape, or robbery.

Juvenile Court Lawrenceville GA Cases

Although Juvenile Court Lawrenceville GA cases cover a range of different types of scenarios and legal infractions, they generally fall into three categories.

• Minor Delinquency Cases: These are actions that would be criminally prosecuted if an adult committed them.
• Dependency Cases: These cases involve minors who are abused or neglected by their parent(s) or guardian(s). The courts determine whether to remove the child from home.
• Status Offense: These are infractions specific to the juvenile code that, if committed by an adult, would not be illegal. They include engaging in personally dangerous or harmful behavior, incorrigibility, truancy, and running away.

The primary purpose of the Gwinnett County Juvenile Court, Georgia, is to help minors safely reach adulthood without hurting themselves or others.

Gwinnett County Juvenile Probation and other Sentences

When sentencing a delinquent minor in Gwinnett County Court, probation is just one within a broad range of options the judge has. Other penalties or consequences include:

• Community service
• Counseling
• Curfews
• House arrest
• Probation
• Restitution to the victim
• Traditional juvenile detention facility or work camp

Of course, the punishment depends on a variety of factors, such as family history, previous behaviors, and the severity of the crime.

Hire a Gwinnett County Juvenile Court GA Lawyer

Consult a Gwinnett county Juvenile Court attorney to understand how the particular jurisdiction’s laws will pertain to the case. A lawyer experienced in juvenile law will be able to explain the process, outline the options, and provide skilled representation in court. Contact Philip Kim Law, P.C., for a sympathetic and professional approach to what is obviously a stressful and trying experience.