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O.C.G.A. § 15-11-521 — Time limitations for filing petition | Georgia Code
O.C.G.A. § 15-11-521 (2018) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Scholar Amendments

TITLE 15 COURTS

Section 11. Juvenile Code, 15-11-1 through 15-11-747.

ARTICLE 6 DELINQUENCY

15-11-521. Time limitations for filing petition.

  1. If a child is in detention prior to adjudication, a petition alleging delinquency shall be filed not later than 72 hours after the detention hearing. If no petition alleging delinquency is filed within the applicable time, such child shall be released from detention and the complaint shall be dismissed without prejudice. Such petition may be refiled as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section within the statute of limitations.
  2. If a child is not in detention prior to adjudication, a petition alleging delinquency shall be filed within 30 days of the filing of the complaint alleging violation of a criminal law or within 30 days of such child's release pursuant to a determination that detention is not warranted. Upon a showing of good cause and notice to all parties, the court may grant an extension of time for filing a petition alleging delinquency. The court shall issue a written order reciting the facts justifying any extension.

(Code 1981, §15-11-521, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.)

JUDICIAL DECISIONS

Question of dismissal of action if neither petition nor extension filed.

- Because two conflicting decisions that governed a case regarding interpretation of O.C.G.A. § 15-11-521(b) were before the Supreme Court of Georgia on certiorari review, the court certified resolution of the case to the Supreme Court via a certified question under Ga. Const. 1983, Art. VI, Sec. V, Para. IV. To await the Supreme Court's decision would run afoul of the two-term rule, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. VI, Sec. IX, Para. II. In the Interest of J. F., 338 Ga. App. 15, 789 S.E.2d 274 (2016).

30-day deadline.

- Under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-521(b), the state must file a petition alleging delinquency against a juvenile who is not detained within 30 days of filing of the complaint or seek an extension of that deadline from the juvenile court; if the state misses the 30-day deadline and does not seek an extension, the case must be dismissed without prejudice. In the Interest of M.D.H., 300 Ga. 46, 793 S.E.2d 49 (2016).

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This Georgia Code resource is curated by this site's author, a personal injury and workers' compensation attorney admitted in Georgia (State Bar of Georgia No. 881027, since 2006) and Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.