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Hall County Courthouse - 3rd Floor
The Hall County Juvenile Court is an independent juvenile court organized under Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia. The Court is dedicated to serving the residents of Hall County by hearing all cases involving allegations of deprivation (abuse and neglect), unruly conduct (truancy, habitually disobedient of the reasonable commands of parents, runaway from home w/o permission) of children under the age of 18, delinquency (criminal acts), and any traffic violations concerning children under the age of 17 found within its jurisdiction. If, after adjudication, a child is found to be in need of treatment, rehabilitation or supervision to safely remain in the community, the court will provide access to high quality, appropriate treatment programs whenever feasible. Supervision is provided by county Juvenile Probation Officers.
Juvenile Court also conducts trials in cases where the State attempts to terminate parental rights, due to chronic abuse and/or neglect, so that children can be placed in a permanent home, either with suitable family members or with an adoptive family.
Juvenile Court can also consider cases where a father is attempting to legitimate a child born out of wedlock, or determine custody and child support cases transferred by Superior Court, and can conduct certain aspects of child guardianship cases.
The mission of the Juvenile Court of Hall County is to ensure that children whose well-being is threatened shall be assisted and protected and restored, if possible, as secure law-abiding members of society; that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the court shall receive, preferably in the child's own home, the care, guidance, and control that will be conducive to the child's welfare and the best interests of the state; and that when a child is removed from the control of his parents the court shall secure for the child care as nearly as possible equivalent to that which his parents should have given the child.
The Judges of the Hall County Juvenile Court are appointed to a four year term by the Superior Court Judges. A judge must be at least 30 years of age, a citizen of the state for at least three years, and have practiced law for at least five years.
The Judges are required to attend a minimum number of hours (12) of specialized training each year to maintain eligibility for the position. The Council of Juvenile Court Judges of Georgia certifies the training.
Deprivation cases are assigned to the Judge by the Clerk of Court upon the filing of a Juvenile Complaint. Though there are exceptions, once a child is assigned to a judge, all of that child's subsequent deprivation or custody complaints will also be assigned to that judge. Other types of cases are scheduled for court at which time a juvenile judge will be presiding.
The Hall County Juvenile Probation Officers are the direct contact agents with the youths on probation. Most Probation Officers are assigned to children who attend specific schools so that the officers work in a small geographic area. The officer's job is to help the child succeed on probation, but they are also responsible for enforcing the directives issued by the Court. The Juvenile Probation Officers perform frontline duties by visiting with the youthful offenders at school, home and other locations on any given day or night to ensure compliance with the Court's orders. Any violation of the Court's orders by a juvenile offender is referred to the assigned Probation Officer for recommendation to the Court for consequences. The Juvenile Probation Officer is required to maintain a detailed record of contacts and conduct of their assigned juvenile offender.
Family Therapists assist the Court. The therapists have a Masters Degree from an accredited college or university. The therapists advise Probation Officers and Judges on problem cases as well as provide professional assistance in crisis intervention, individual, family and group therapy for the Court's clients.
The Hall County Family Treatment Court provides timely comprehensive services to substance abusing parents who are facing the loss of their children to foster care.
 Hall County Family Treatment Court
Cliff L. Jolliff, Judge
 770-531-6928
 Media Resource
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Mary R. Carden, Judge
770-531-6928
Media Resource
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Mailing Address:
225 Green St.
Gainesville, GA
30501
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