Georgia is a combination state. The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, a state executive agency, administers most delinquency services, including secure detention and commitment programs.

How is detention organized? 

The Department of Juvenile Justice, Division of Community Corrections, operates 1 staff-secure and 23 secure Regional Youth Detention Centers throughout the state. The Division of Community Corrections has 5 regions, which are divided into 13 districts.

Intake officers may, by authority of the judge, "informally adjust" appropriate cases. The case may be informally adjusted if the case meets the following prerequisites: the case is in the jurisdiction of the court; informal adjustment would be in the best interest of the public and the youth; and the youth and his or her parents, guardian, or other custodian voluntarily consent.

Georgia extends certain rights to victims of juvenile offenders. By statute, victims may submit a victim impact statement in any delinquency proceeding if the offense meets certain criteria.

Juvenile probation supervision is administered in one of three ways in Georgia:

1. In 134 of Georgia's 159 counties, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) assigns staff to the court to provide probation and aftercare supervision services.

In Georgia, the position of Juvenile Justice Probation/Parole Specialist is not a certified position. State policy and procedures mandates training, which the Department of Juvenile Justice monitors.

Adjudicated delinquents are committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), which is then vested with legal custody of the youth. An order of disposition committing a youth to DJJ continues in force for two years unless DJJ discharges the youth sooner. The court that committed the youth may extend its commitment order for an additional two years.

Once the court transfers legal custody of a youth to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), only DJJ has the authority to release that youth. An order of disposition committing a youth to DJJ continues in force for two years unless DJJ discharges the youth sooner.

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) defines aftercare services as services provided through the Court Services Program for those youth returning home from DJJ institutions or other programs.

Georgia’s purpose clause is rooted in the Standard Juvenile Court Act.

Lower Age: None specified

Upper Age: 16

Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: 20

The Department of Juvenile Justice assesses all youth committed to it using the Comprehensive Risk/Needs Assessment (CRN). The CRN is the assessment instrument used to classify youth and to determine risk, placement, and level of service.