Juveniles can be charged as adults - a parent's worst nightmare

The 1994 amendment to the Georgia Juvenile Court Code provides for the treatment of juvenile offenders charged with certain violent offenses as adults.It gives the superior court sole jurisdiction over any child alleged to have committed certain offenses, including murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, and armed robbery committed with a firearm.

Before a juvenile is indicted as an adult, the district attorney may, after investigation and for "extraordinary cause," withdraw the case and submit it to the juvenile court. Also, following indictment, the superior court may, after investigation and for extraordinary case, transfer a case to the juvenile court. However, there are some capital cases that the superior court may not transfer, including cases involving murder, rape, and armed robbery committed with a firearm.

Children under 13 years of age are not believed to be capable of criminal intent. Therefore, even if they commit a capital offense, the case must be handled by the juvenile court.

If your child has been accused of a crime and is being charged as an adult in  Marietta or Cobb County GA there is no time to waste in hiring a skilled attorney to represent you and protect your interests. The Law Offices of  Kenneth R. Croy and Associates has  35 years of  experience both prosecuting and defending the rights of the juveniles and adults in Georgia.  If you need an experienced Cobb County juvenile law attorney call 770-422-0574. All initial phone consultations are free