Your 17 year old is an adult under the Georgia criminal justice system

Georgia’s criminal justice system considers a 17 year old to be an adult. A child can’t buy a beer legally or vote, but he or she can be convicted of a felony. Most parents don’t understand how an arrest could impact their child’s future.

The main reason this is so important has to do with the potential ramifications.  In juvenile court, the focus is on rehabilitation. The court would want the teen to be evaluated for any emotional, physical or mental health issues to see if this might have contributed to their behavior. Time in a youth detention center is a distinct possibility, but is not a required outcome. In adult court, the focus is on punishment. If a teen is convicted, he or she can spend years in an adult prison.
 
Understanding that a teen who commits a crime will be treated as an adult on their 17th birthday can help parents to educate their children.

If you have a teen who has been arrested in Cobb County please do yourself a favor and consult an attorney who can advise you on potential consequences of a crime before you make any decisions. It can impact your child’s future forever.